Pac-12 Tournament 2012: Arizona Wildcats Must Come Away with Title to Get Berth

Despite going 22-10 this season, the Arizona Wildcats must win the Pac-12 tournament if they have any hope of making it into this year's March Madness.

The Wildcats have been in and out of the rankings this season, but now they stand in a situation where they must come away with a victory to find themselves playing for a chance to win the national title.

With the Colorado Buffaloes standing in their way of making the NCAA tourney, the Wildcats cannot stop here as they must do whatever it takes to make sure that they are the ones hoisting the Pac-12 title and receiving the automatic bid into the Big Dance.

The Wildcats could have a slim chance of still making the tournament without a win, but that result is extremely unlikely given the limited space that the Pac-12 seems to be getting for teams in the tournament.

The two teams split the regular season, but the Wildcats got the best of them the last time around. In that game, they won 71-57, and they will need to have a similar performance in Los Angeles to continue to play.

The field has been made more difficult to get into, as conferences like the Big East, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC have all been ridiculously strong this season.

The Pac-12 just hasn't fared well, and that in the end may just hurt the Wildcats as they fight to make their way into the tourney.

At least with an automatic berth, there is nothing that could keep them out.

It is definitely possible, given everything that has happened throughout this tourney. Favorites have fallen, while the strongest have survived.

The Wildcats have to stay strong, otherwise they may no longer be able to keep fighting.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase