This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There's one question permeating the Pac-12 this week as the regular season wraps up: three or four?
The number of Pac-12 berths in the NCAA tournament is looking at least solid for three, as Oregon swept a road trip to Northern California, including a win over Stanford. But that fourth team? It still needs to reveal itself.
The candidates, should they truly emerge, are still Stanford and UCLA. ESPN's bracketology on March 3 had them both among the first eight teams missing the cut. It's not hard to see why: they lack quality wins. And unfortunately for both teams, there's a ticking clock to get some.
"Really, we've just got to win," Bruin Tony Parker told the LA Daily News over the weekend. "It doesn't matter how we do it. That's the bottom line."
UCLA (18-12, 8-5) did its job over the weekend, winning against the Washington schools at home ahead of a season finale against USC. The Bruins' problem is although they've played one of the hardest schedules in the country — including non-conference tilts with Kentucky and Gonzaga — they have very little to show for it: They're 2-7 against the RPI top 50, with the best win over ranked Utah.
Then there's Stanford, which has one top-50 RPI win over Texas, which is on the outs with bracket analysts itself. The Cardinal haven't gotten a win over any of the other Pac-12 teams seemingly ticketed for the tournament, with losses to Arizona, Utah and Oregon — and a sweep by UCLA.
Unlike the Bruins, Stanford has a chance to bolster its resume this weekend when it visits No. 5 Arizona. But barring a stunning upset that would end the Wildcats' streak at McKale Center, it's looking awfully sketchy for the Pac-12's chances at sending a fourth team.
Broncos a surprise MW leader
In the market for a surprise team? How about Boise State winning in one of the toughest venues in the country, taking a share of the lead in in the parity-filled Mountain West?
Not much was expected from the Broncos following the loss of its leading scorer, Anthony Drmic, in December. But Leon Rice's group has made good on its lemons, taking the top spot in the Mountain West after beating San Diego State, 56-46, at Viejas Arena over the weekend.
Boise State has been on a roll since January, turning from unlikely scrappy team to a bonafide big game winner. The've beaten top MW contenders SDSU, Colorado State and Utah State in winning 12 of their last 13 games. With San Jose State and Fresno State to finish the year, they aren't a lock yet, but they're getting close to the territory, if not winning an automatic bid outright.
"It was a huge win," James Webb III told the Idaho Statesman, "but our mission isn't over yet."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Tribune Power Rankings
The West
1. Arizona (26-3, 14-2)
Beating Utah on the road might be most impressive victory to date.
2. Gonzaga (29-2, 17-1)
For all their size, Zags allowed BYU 15 offensive rebounds.
3. Utah (22-6, 12-4)
Inability to finish at the rim cost them, and front court needs more work.
4. Oregon (22-8, 12-5)
Elgin Cook quietly stepping up as a go-to, efficient scorer.
5. Boise State (22-7, 12-4)
Didn't shoot particularly well, but out-rebounded SDSU by 12.
6. BYU (23-8, 13-5)
Promising that the Cougs won despite Haws having a quiet night.
7. San Diego State (22-7, 12-4)
Same old story: Where does the offense come from?
8. Colorado State (24-5, 11-5)
Season finale at the Spectrum is a virtual must-win for Rams.
9. UCLA (18-12, 10-7)
Barely pulled it out at home against Wazzu after trouble stopping Josh Hawkinson.
10. Stanford (18-10, 9-7)
Ducks may have done in Cardinal unless they win at Arizona this weekend.