UCLA’s chances for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament are slim after losing to USC
UCLA doesn’t necessarily have to be the regular season Pac-12 champion to earn a top seed. Each of the last two years, the tournament committee has seeded a second-place team No. 1 – Virginia last year and eventual national champ Duke in 2015. Three of the four No. 1 seeds last year totaled six losses and UCLA has three with nine games remaining before the Pac-12 tournament.
But the Bruins are a distant third in the Pac-12 after losses to Oregon, Arizona and USC. The good news for UCLA is that it’ll get one more shot at first-place Oregon and Arizona, who both remain undefeated in conference play. The bad news is that Oregon only plays Arizona once, limiting their chances to damage each other’s standing.
If UCLA quickly regroups from Wednesday’s stunning upset at USC and reels off some impressive wins, its style is so captivating that it may earn favor from the tournament committee. Keep in mind, this team is still Bovada’s betting favorite to win the national championship – both the Bruins and Kentucky lead with 6/1 odds.
With each loss, the chatter about UCLA’s defensive shortcomings only grows, despite the shocking fact that its defensive efficiency actually improved, according to kenpom.com, after allowing USC a season-high 14 3-pointers and countless dunks. Defense may win championships, but offense is a more visible way to create influence. Wins and losses, however, are much easier criteria by which to judge.
No. 1 seeds from the last three NCAA tournaments:
2016
Kansas (30-4) – Big 12 champion
North Carolina (28-6) – ACC champion
Oregon (27-6) – Pac-12 champion
Virginia (28-6) – 2nd in ACC to UNC
2015
Kentucky (34-0) – SEC champion
Villanova (32-2) – Big East champion
Wisconsin (31-3) – Big Ten champion
Duke (29-4) – 2nd in ACC to Virginia
2014
Florida (32-2) – SEC champion
Arizona (30-4) – Pac-12 champion
Virginia (28-6) – ACC champion
Wichita State (34-0) – Missouri Valley champion