Pac 12 Tournament 2012: X-Factors Who Must Step Up in Semifinals

The Pac-12 is in an interesting predicament right now. We know that one team is going to get a bid, just because every conference gets an automatic bid, but beyond that everyone else is on the bubble. 

Washington won the regular-season conference title, but a loss to Oregon State has left the Huskies' tournament prospects up in the air. It is entirely possible that this will just be a one-bid league, which is amazing when you look at the rich tradition of the teams in the conference. 

With the four teams battling for the right to play for the championship, there are X-factors who must step it up to get their respective schools into the final round. 

Arizona Wildcats: G Brendon Lavender

After a warm-up act against UCLA that saw Lavender score just two points on 1-for-6 shooting, the senior guard is ready to make his presence felt in a big way. 

Lavender serves as the secret weapon that the Wildcats use when they need someone who can make an open shot. He is never going to command a lot of attention, but when he is on, he can be a lethal weapon. 

Oregon State is one of the best offensive teams in the country. The Beavers are efficient with their shot selection and are going to test the limits of Arizona's defense. 

The Wildcats need all the scoring help they can get, and Lavender has proven to be one of their better shooters when he is on the court. 

Oregon State Beavers: F Eric Moreland

Everyone knows that Oregon State wants to run the floor and outscore opponents. That's what happened on Thursday against Washington, and it will be the biggest reason that they keep this miracle run in the Pac-12 alive. 

However, there has to be at least one player trying to play defense. That's where Moreland comes in. He plays less than 20 minutes per game, but still leads the team with 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. 

Moreland has to be that presence in the middle of the floor to give the Beavers a weapon that will keep Arizona's offense in check. 

California Golden Bears: F David Kravish

Kravish has made quite an impression on the Golden Bears' offense in his first year, averaging 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 59 percent from the floor. 

There is still room for him to grow as a player, so don't think that is all he has to offer. In fact, this Pac-12 tournament is going to be his coming out party. It started with 10 points and five rebounds against Stanford. 

He is not the star of the show for this team, but he is their most dangerous weapon. No one on Colorado can compete with Kravish in the paint. 

Colorado Buffaloes: F-C Shane Harris-Tunks

Colorado can't keep up with California in the scoring department, so it is imperative that the defense steps up. 

Harris-Tunks is likely to be matched up with whomever the Golden Bears have playing on the inside, namely Kravish and Harper Kemp. He has to bang with the big men down below to make their offense one-dimensional. 

He is not going to add much on offense—if he scores five points, that would be a victory. But he can do the grunt work that keeps the Golden Bears on their toes. 

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