UCLA can’t help its tournament resume with win over USC

UCLA hasn’t even played in this year’s Pac-12 Tournament, its NCAA Tournament chances have already gotten a little weaker.

The fourth-seeded Bruins will play USC on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., an easier matchup than any other they could have hoped for — but also a game that offers little for their postseason resume. UCLA is on the wrong side of the bubble with a 19-12 record. Beating the 12th-seeded Trojans — who upset Arizona State, 67-64 — doesn’t do much to help its case.

“Being last in the (Pac-12), teams can’t really afford to lose to us,” said USC sophomore Julian Jacobs. “We’re aware they’re on the bubble of making the tournament. And we’d love to stop them from making the tournament.”

Steve Alford’s team has a much better chance at beating USC for the third time this season than beating the Sun Devils. But there was a slim chance that a win over ASU would have been enough for a spot in the Big Dance. Now, UCLA likely won’t get into the field of 68 unless it reaches the Pac-12 title game, a path that likely means beating No. 1-seeded Arizona.