Pac-12 Conference tournament odds, analysis, predictions as contenders look to knock off UCLA Bruins

The Pac-12 Conference tournament starts Wednesday in Las Vegas. Some teams will fight for a spot in the NCAA tournament while others, like favored UCLA, are trying to keep seeding intact for Selection Sunday. 

All of the teams in the Pac-12 have a chance of going to the Big Dance if they can win the tournament, but according to the 2023 Bracket Matrix only three teams are locks to make it as at-large selections. UCLA, Arizona and USC are playing for positioning in the bracket, while Arizona State is on the bubble and could play its way in.

The Sun Devils play Oregon State first and are +2000 to win the Pac-12. If they don’t get all the way to the finish line, they could be a fourth team to sneak their way in out of the Pac-12. 

Pac-12 tournament odds

(From Caesars Sportsbook as of Tuesday afternoon)

• UCLA Bruins +140

• Arizona Wildcats +180

The Favorite: UCLA (+140)

UCLA has been a consistent program in March Madness for decades, and this season they have a legitimate shot at a national title. They are 27-4 and finished the regular season on a 10-game winning streak. Despite a Jaylen Clark injury in their win over Arizona this weekend, the Bruins have a strong enough rotation where the loss will not be too detrimental to their championship hopes. Westwood has been deprived of an NCAA title since 1995, and unlike UCLA teams of recent past that have come up short, this team has a chance of making it happen.

Contenders: Arizona Wildcats (+180), USC Trojans (+600), Oregon Ducks (+900)

Arizona and USC each split with the Bruins this season. The Wildcats handled USC thanks to intense defense, which made the Trojans commit dumb fouls. The depth of their defense, especially from players like Oumar Ballo and Kerr Kriisa, is important for any team. But when it comes to the Pac-12, USC was outmatched in their game against Arizona.  

Sleeper: Arizona State Sun Devils (+2000)

The Sun Devils don’t go away without a fight, and if they have a good tournament they could find their way into the dance. The highlight of their season, undoubtedly, was the 60-foot buzzer-beater at Arizona, and that’s something that can do wonders to build confidence and shift momentum. But ASU has to sustain that. DJ Horne can make shots for the Sun Devils but can be inconsistent. Desmond Cambridge Jr. makes highlights but has 1.7 turnovers per game. In their first game against Oregon State, ASU needs both of those players to keep the momentum going for a chance to make a run in Vegas. 

Pick: UCLA

UCLA is on a mission not only to win a title but to perhaps secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Bruins dropped games earlier in the season to Illinois and Baylor, but the standard has only increased since they are atop the conference. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is an important piece for the Bruins and his leadership, as well as that of other seniors, is going to sustain them beyond their time in Las Vegas. The Bruins have not won a national title since 1995, but with Bill Walton calling games from the sideline, the spirit of John Wooden may just return for UCLA this March.