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UCLA Basketball Stays Put in the Final AP Poll of the Regular Season

By Mike Regalado

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) signals in the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) signals in the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team did not move in this week’s final regular-season AP Poll, but where there are says a lot.

The UCLA Basketball team is 28-3, 15–3 this regular season that ended with an impressive nine game win streak.

This past week, UCLA concluded conference play with the mauling of the Washington Huskies and had a slow start in their victory over the Washington State Cougars.

Unfortunately, due to their three losses in the season, which came against Arizona, Oregon and USC, the Bruins are one game out of first place in the Pac-12, denying them a chance at a conference title.

The funny thing is, because of their late season push, the Associated Press sees them as one of the top team scores in the nation. UCLA not only finishes the season on a hot streak, which has deservedly gotten them the #3 ranking, but within peaking at the right time, this bodes well for their tournament hopes.

Despite what some critics say, UCLA should be in the conversation for a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Although that depends on how they perform in the Pac-12 Tournament.

The Bruins head to Las Vegas this week for their first game of the tourney as a #3 seed on Thursday against the winner of the first round USC/Washington game. If the Bruins win that game then they most likely have a shot at Arizona in the semifinals.

Next: ESPN's Joe Lunardi Has Facts For UCLA Basketball Fans

The AP Top 5 is as follows: #1 Kansas, #2 Villanova, #3 UCLA, #4 Gonzaga, #5 Oregon. Arizona is ranked #7.