Around the Pac-12: Week 12
The Pac-12 is heating up this week as we have a new leader for the Pac-12 title.
As DJ Bauer said in his latest edition of “Bauertology,” “USC is quickly approaching elite status.”
A big win over crosstown rivals UCLA in dominating fashion has boosted the Trojans to the top of the conference. Evan Mobley has established himself as one of the top freshmen in the NCAA and is trying to lead USC to its first title since 1985.
The Trojans have to travel to Seattle to play a weakened Washington Huskies team.
Coming off of a bad loss to its biggest rivals, UCLA is looking to make one final push at a Pac-12 title.
The Bruins have to play both USC and Colorado at the end of the year, which could be monumental in the race for the title. With a spot in this year's March Madness tournament expected, the Bruins from Westwood are looking to get back on top of the conference they once ruled over.
Colorado needs some quality wins to get into the big dance. With the team having some quality wins but also some bad quality losses, it is important for the Buffalo to win out.
With Colorado playing Stanford today and still having to play both USC and UCLA, this team needs wins like these to consider them in the tournament. But also not having bad losses to go with big wins are equally as important.
Stanford is continuing its push to March as the Cardinals have won five of their last six in conference play.
A big game that can continue this momentum is today’s showdown against Colorado. A win versus the Buffalo would boost their resume while also hurting Colorado.
Oscar da Silva is doing everything he can to wield this team forward. As it stands, Stanford is on the bubble and is going to need to do more work to stay there.
Oregon has not been as consistent as they have been in the past this year.
The Ducks need to find ways to consistently finish close games and beat teams that they should and that would place them in the conversation. Stanford plays Oregon on Feb. 25 which should be an all or nothing game for both teams.
As we’re coming down to the wire here on the West Coast with three teams looking to get in the tournament and two rivals fighting for the title, it is getting entertaining here in the Pac-12.
Cole Koffler is a freshman majoring in communications. To contact him, email colekoff13@gmail.com.
