If they still want to pull out the last No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed, the Arizona Wildcats might need to win the Pac-12 Tournament and get a lot of help.
The Wildcats’ loss at USC on Saturday left them at 24-7 overall and at No. 4 in the NET ratings, but they are projected as a No. 2 NCAA Tournament seed by ESPN, CBS and the Bracket Matrix.
The Bracket Matrix, a compilation of projected brackets, has Arizona at No. 6 overall, behind Tennessee at No. 4 and North Carolina at No. 5, suggesting that the Wildcats also need those teams to lose early in their conference tournaments this week.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson, left, grabs a loose ball next to Southern California guard Isaiah Collier during the first half on Saturday. The loss to the Trojans dropped the Wildcats to a No. 6 ranking.
Houston, Purdue and UConn are consensus picks to receive the other three No. 1 seeds no matter how they fare this week.
The Wildcats won’t have a chance to pick up more than one more Quad 1 win this week. Based on the updated NET ratings Monday, UA will have a Quad 2 game on Thursday in the quarterfinals against either USC (No. 91) or Washington (No. 67).
If the Wildcats win their quarterfinal game, the highest-rated team they could face in the semifinals is Oregon, which with a NET rating of 68th would be another Quad 2 game (which are defined for neutral-site games as those against teams with NET ratings of 51-100).
If UA reaches the Pac-12 Tournament championship, it would have a Quad 1 opportunity if it played Colorado (No. 27) or Washington State (No. 45) though Utah entered the week at 52nd.
Whatever the case, the Wildcats are expected to lead a four-team pod into Salt Lake City for first-round games on March 21. CBS has the Wildcats opening with No. 15 South Dakota State, while ESPN forecasts that game being against Montana.
Wildcats ranked No. 6
Arizona was ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25 Monday, dropping one spot after its 78-65 loss to USC.
The top three of the AP poll remained the same, with Houston at No. 1 followed by UConn, Purdue, North Carolina and Tennessee. Iowa State, Creighton, Kentucky at Marquette round out the Top 10. Among other UA opponents this season, Duke sank from No. 9 to No. 11, Alabama dropped from 16th to 19th and Washington State fell from 18th to 22nd.
Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht drives past Auburn guard Chad Baker-Mazara in a Feb. 28 game. A deep Vols run in the SEC Tournament could make them the No. 1 seed out West and leave Arizona a No. 2 seed.
Pac-12 awards expected
Arizona guard Caleb Love remains the leading candidate to be named the Pac-12 Player of the Year when the conference’s annual awards are announced Tuesday, though the fate of several other UA players is less clear.
Center Oumar Ballo appears likely to join Love on the Pac-12’s 10-player first team, with wing Pelle Larsson also a candidate. Sophomore guard Jaden Bradley is in a battle with Washington’s Koren Johnson for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley scores against USC on Saturday. Bradley has a chance to be named the Pac-12's Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday.
“I know he’s been incredibly important to us and our success,” UA coach Tommy Lloyd said of Bradley. “I know he’s very deserving of that honor.”
Both Johnson and Bradley have averaged 20 minutes or more in conference games off the bench, but Johnson is averaging more than four points a game more than Bradley (11.2 to 7.1) while ranking 11th in assists (3.2) and 13th in steals (1.3) during Pac-12 games.
UA guard KJ Lewis among a crowd of freshman award candidates.
WSU’s Myles Rice appears to lead to become Freshman of the Year, while other top all-freshman candidates include USC’s Isaiah Collier, Oregon’s Kwame Evans, Stanford’s Kanaan Carlyle, Colorado’s Cody Williams, UCLA’s Sebastian Mack, USC’s Bronny James and WSU’s Rueben Chinyelu.
Being named Pac-12 Player of the Year would automatically place Love in UA’s basketball Ring of Honor.
Hadley picks up weekly honor
Colorado guard J’Vonne Hadley was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 17.5 points on 63% shooting in the Buffaloes’ road wins at Oregon and Oregon State, while Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad was named Freshman of the Week after averaging 17.5 points and 3.l5 assists in two games.
Arizona did not nominate a player for either award.
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Photos: No. 5 Arizona upset at USC, Pac-12 men's basketball regular-season finale
Southern California guard Boogie Ellis (5) is defended by Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California guard Kobe Johnson (0) shoots over Arizona center Oumar Ballo during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California guard Isaiah Collier, right, is defended by Arizona guard Kylan Boswell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California guard Kobe Johnson (0) shoots over Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James walks to his seat with this wife, Savannah, before an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Arizona, Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson, left, grabs a loose ball next to Southern California guard Isaiah Collier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) celebrates after scoring next to Southern California forward Kijani Wright (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) grabs a rebound next to Southern California's DJ Rodman (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California guard Bronny James (6) scores on a breakaway dunk past Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California guard Bronny James scores on a breakaway dunk past Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James watches with his family during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Arizona, Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) grabs a rebound over Southern California forward Kijani Wright (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California forward DJ Rodman (10) reaches for the ball next to Arizona guard Kylan Boswell during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California forward DJ Rodman (10) makes a 3-point basket over Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California forward DJ Rodman celebrates after making a 3-point basket against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James jokes with his wife, Savannah, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Southern California and Arizona, Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California forward DJ Rodman (10) celebrates after a dunk by guard Isaiah Collier against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) scores against Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona players watch from the bench in the closing seconds of a loss to Southern California in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Photos: Arizona takes down Washington 91-75, Pac 12 basketball
Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) tries to claw back a loose ball from Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) tries to get his hands on a rebound in front of Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way past Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) sends Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) flying as the two collide trying to get to an alley-oop pass from Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) gets a hand on Washington center Braxton Meah (34) trying to win a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way past Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington forward Moses Wood (13) gets a hand on the ball as Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) drives into the lane in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd talks with one of the game officials during a timeout late in the second half against Washington at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets wrapped up by Washington guard Nate Calmese (8) on a drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) out jumps Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32), left, and forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) to collect the offensive rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gestures after nailing a three from the top of the key against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) roars for the crowd after finishing off a fast break dunk against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts after the Wildcat bench was assessed a technical foul for coming out on the floor following a basket against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington head coach Mike Hopkins encourages his Huskies after they make a stand against Arizona in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) jars the ball out of the grip of Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) fights through the pick from Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) to keep contact with forward Moses Wood (13) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) and Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) leap for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2), left, and center Oumar Ballo (11) try to drag down a rebound against Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) backs in a basket past Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1), left, picks up a goaltending foul on a shot from Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) goes over the top of Washington forward Moses Wood (13) and guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for rebound in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) reverses a lay up around Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way to a reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) jostles with Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32), left, and forward Moses Wood (13) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) throws down a bucket over Washington forward Moses Wood (13) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington center Braxton Meah (34), left, and forward Moses Wood (13) can’t keep Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) from pulling in a rebound in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) gets a clean dunk on Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) strips Washington guard Koren Johnson (0) trying to head straight up the lane in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) drops a soft shot over against Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) crashes into Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) on a Wildcat fast break in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington guard Anthony Holland (23) grabs Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) in attempt to keep him from a quick run to the bucket in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) finds a crowd in the lane as he tries to drive for a score against Washington in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson throws down a dunk early against Washington on Saturday’s game, which started at noon at McKale Center. UA is next in action at ASU on Wednesday night.
