Pac-12 Tournament Odds: UCLA, Arizona Still Teams to Beat
Bruins Host Cross-Town Rival USC Thursday Night

Before the season began, the Pac-12 Tournament odds had UCLA and Arizona tied for the top spot. Nearly two months later, the Bruins and Arizona are again tied for winning the conference. USC is a distant third, as the Pac-12 Conference has turned into a two-team race. Arizona shouldn’t have any problems against the two Washington teams this week, while the Bruins host USC and anything can happen in a rivalry game.
Thursday, Jan. 5
Oregon Ducks vs Colorado Buffaloes
Date, Time & Streaming:
Location: CU Events Center (Boulder, Colorado)
Streaming: ESPN2
The first game in the Pac-12 Conference college basketball matchups is a decent one between Oregon (8-6) and Colorado (9-6). The Buffaloes opened as 3-point favorites and this is one and the line is now 2.5. The Ducks get a slight edge offensively and the two defenses are pretty equal. Oregon shoots too many 3-pointers considering they’re not that that good from the outside. The Ducks were third in the preseason Pac-12 tournament odds but have had a tough time keeping pace with the top teams in the conference. Both teams are poor from the foul line, shooting less than 67%. Colorado likes to play at a fast pace and Oregon can’t get caught up in that style. Oregon is worth a look at the current number, having played a tougher schedule.
Washington State Cougars vs Arizona State Sun Devils
Date, Time & Streaming:
Location: Desert Financial Arena (Tempe, Arizona)
Streaming: Pac-12 Network
Washington State (6-9) visits Arizona State (11-3) in a game that is going to be better than you would think by looking at the NCAAB standings. The Cougars have played a brutal schedule that ranks No. 18 in the country. ASU’s schedule is No. 75. WSU is much better offensively than the Sun Devils, while ASU gets the nod on defense. The Sun Devils were rolling along until an inexplicable 97-60 loss at San Francisco, followed by a loss to Arizona. WSU rebounded nicely from its tough loss to UCLA with a nice win over USC. The Cougars can play teams tough and could be worth a shot getting 4.5 points. The total on this one is 131.
USC Trojans vs UCLA Bruins
Date, Time & Streaming:
Location: Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Streaming: ESPN
Huge number here, as the Bruins (13-2) opened -14 over the Trojans (11-4) in ‘The Battle for Los Angeles.’ Money on USC has pushed the line down to Bruins -12. The Trojans are good team offensively and defensively, but not in the same class as UCLA. The Bruins are a solid 3-point shooting team but don’t shoot them often, which could work to USC’s advantage. Southern California is No. 4 in the country defending the 2-pointer and that’s where UCLA scores 63% of its points. USC was No. 3 in the preseason Pac-12 tournament odds but several teams have passed the Trojans in the power ratings. If the Trojans can keep turnovers to a minimum – and that’s a big if considering USC ranks No. 264 in turnovers and the Bruins are No. 13 in forcing turnovers – they can keep it fairly close.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Oregon Ducks vs Utah Utes
Date, Time & Streaming:
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, Utah)
Streaming: Pac-12 Network
The best of the Saturday games, the Ducks visit Utah in a game that should be fairly close. The Utes will be favored by close to 4 points in this one. When looking at Utah’s numbers, the Utes should be higher than No. 18 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
‘The Utes are No. 4 in 3-point defense and No. 6 in 3-point defense. The one thing Utah doesn’t do is force turnovers but the Ducks make plenty on their own, ranking No. 245 in the country in turnovers made.’
The Utes are decent offensively, while the Ducks are a pretty good defensive team. This one will come down to how Utah’s defense handles the Oregon attack. In a close game, the Ducks don’t do themselves any favors shooting 66.2% from the foul line. If the line doesn’t climb above Utah -4, the home team probably deserves a look in this one.
Sunday, Jan. 8
Washington Huskies vs Arizona State Sun Devils
Date, Time & Streaming:
Location: Desert Financial Arena (Tempe, Arizona)
Streaming: ESPN
The Washington Huskies visit Arizona State in a Sunday ESPN game that is shaping up to be a tough game for the Huskies. Washington isn’t a very good offensive team and the Sun Devils can play defense. The Huskies are No. 247 in effective field goal percentage and the Sun Devils are No. 7 in defense. About the only offensive area Washington excels at is shooting free throws but they have to get to the line first. The Huskies are going to be coming off a tough game against Arizona and it wouldn’t be a shock to see them run out of steam in this one. But you’ll have to pay a price to back the Sun Devils, as the line will be close to double digits.
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