UCLA Bruins
The UCLA basketball team controlled their own fate in the Pac-12 Tournament and slipped in their semi-final game. Obviously, if they would have won the tournament, they would automatically be in the NCAA Tournament, but it was this one crucial game against Arizona that could have really boosted their résumé just by getting this win. Unfortunately, as you probably know, UCLA lost a close one 70-64.
Now they may be out of the Pac-12 tourney, but it is not certain that they are out of the NCAA Tournament.
It would be great if the Bruins were playing today for the Pac-12 tournament Championship, but as it is, they are heading home waiting to hear if their name will be called on Selection Sunday. Though they can no longer do anything about their chances, others teams across the country could help the Bruins.
Go Joe Bruin writer Jake Liker had outlined several scenarios regarding other “bubble teams” and surprisingly, because of how certain teams have performed (or I should actually say underperformed), UCLA might still have a chance to get in.
“@ESPNCBB: In @ESPNLunardi's latest Bubble Watch, Texas makes a big move after its victory over Baylor. http://t.co/eHWUtAA3jr” Medium move.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 3, 2015
Looking at Bracketology experts Joe Lunardi‘s most recent “Bubble Watch”, it seems UCLA is one of the “Last Four Out” (and would subsequently be a #1 in the NIT). Though looking at all 12 of the teams he has listed, UCLA has done the same, if not more than these teams.
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5), guard Isaac Hamilton (10), center Thomas Welsh (40), guard Bryce Alford (20), and guard Norman Powell (4) huddle during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. The Wildcats won 57-47. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Last Four In
March 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brigham Young Cougars guard Skyler Halford (23, left) shoots the basketball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Eric McClellan (21) during the second half in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
There is some good news concerning Cincinnati, Colorado State, Purdue and BYU… none of them won their conference tournaments. Not only that, aside from the Cincinnati Bearcats, they all lost pretty badly. With Cincinnati losing by only three and BYU making it to the championship game, it seems evident that these two programs will be dancing next week.
If by chance, there is enough evidence to knock Colorado State and Purdue out of contention, then that leaves at least two spots UCLA can take over.
But why? Well…
Last Four Out
As part of the “Last Four Out”, the Bruins are clearly one of the two best teams. What would further help them to land a spot in the Big Dance is if Davidson loses to VCU today in the Atlantic 10 semi-finals. Still, no matter what happens with that game, the Bruins are in better position than the other two out as Texas and Illinois lost early in their conference tournaments.
Next Four Out
Unless the committee thinks otherwise, not a single one of these teams is a threat to UCLA. Pitt, Stanford, Miami (FL) and Old Dominion are in the same boat as UCLA but each exited their respective tournaments early. The only thing that makes UCLA stand out is that the Bruins had a very good game against the #1 team in the conference in their semi-finals. Surprisingly, not getting blown out goes a long way with the committee and that is something the “Last Four Out” do not have going for them.
So Are They In?
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Knowing all this, it seems that UCLA would surely head to the NCAA Tournament. If the committee sees it that the Bruins have done enough to get into the Big Dance, that is great, but UCLA has also done a lot to shoot themselves in the foot. One of the black eyes against them is that they are 4-11 plains away from their home arena, Pauley Pavilion. That does not look good for any team, especially when they will be playing every game away from home in the last tournament of the season.
Though the contest against Arizona is proof that they can handle themselves in a playoff setting against better teams and really make a game of it, a win would have exponentially helped their chances.
So, if I had to bet on if the Bruins make it, I would say…
“Yes.”