After two key wins last week, UCLA arguably locked up its at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Now with six teams from the region expected to receive bids, the remaining programs are fighting for their postseason lives.
Santa Clara and New Mexico are the best candidates to get an invitation, while San Diego State, California, and Stanford are still in the picture.
Here’s how I view the Top 10 College Basketball Teams in the West with one week to go until Selection Sunday.
1. Arizona (29-2, 16-2)
The Wildcats have the 1-seed in the West locked up after beating Iowa State and Colorado last week.Tommy Lloyd’s team set the program record for most wins in a regular season, ending the year with 29 victories.
But this team will always be defined by what happens in the NCAA Tournament. Anything short of a Final Four run would be a disappointment.
2. Gonzaga (28-3, 16-2)
Mark Few’s team had a full week off. The Zags haven’t played since February 28 in a loss to Saint Mary’s on the road.As the 1-seed in the WCC Tournament, Gonzaga faces Oregon State in the Semifinals.
Expected to be somewhere around a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament, another Sweet 16 run could be in the cards. But a loss in the Second Round wouldn’t be a shock.
3. BYU (21-10, 9-9)
After getting blown out by Cincinnati earlier in the week, BYU took down Texas Tech in Provo. The win could change the outlook for the NCAA Tournament.But the Big 12 Tournament is looming, and an early exit would be damaging. Kevin Young’s team enters Kansas City as a lowly 10-seed, facing Kansas State on Tuesday.
If the Conference tournament goes well, BYU might end up as high as a 6-seed in the Big Dance.
4. UCLA (21-10, 13-7)
Don’t look now because UCLA is playing some of its best basketball of the season. Donovan Dent has been on a tear while the Bruins have won four of their last five.With recent victories over Illinois and Nebraska, UCLA has moved from a Bubble team to a lock for the NCAA Tournament.
The questions now become about seeding and region.
5. Saint Mary’s (27-4, 16-2)
As the 2-seed in the WCC Tournament, Saint Mary’s gets a full week off before returning to action.The Gaels have already locked up their bid to the Big Dance and face Santa Clara in the Semifinals on Monday night.
Consistently able to advance out of the Round of 64, don’t overlook Randy Bennett’s team. Perhaps this is finally the year they break through to the Sweet 16.
6. Utah State (25-6, 15-5)
The Aggies won the Mountain West Regular Season Championship in their final year in the league.It’s a historic milestone for the only MWC team considered a lock for the NCAA Tournament. But how deep Utah State goes is an open question.
The blowout loss to UNLV last week put a damper on expectations. At this point, a loss in the First Round would not be unexpected.
7. Santa Clara (24-7, 15-3)
Santa Clara took advantage of the chaos last week. Multiple Bubble teams lost, which made the Broncos’ path to the NCAA Tournament more likely.After handling Pacific in the Quarterfinals of the WCC Tournament, Herb Sendek’s team faces Saint Mary’s in the Semifinals.
A win would lock Santa Clara into the Tournament while a loss would make Selection Sunday a nail-biter.
8. New Mexico (22-9, 13-7)
The Lobos played their way out of the NCAA Tournament last week. With losses to Colorado State and Utah State, Eric Olen’s team is now on the outside looking in.Entering the Mountain West Conference Tournament as the 3-seed, UNM might need to make the Championship Game to keep their hopes alive.
New Mexico is at the mercy of other Bubble teams around the nation and could miss out due to a bid-stealer in another league.
9. San Diego State (20-10, 14-6)
SDSU is in a bad spot. The defeat to Boise State last week arguably destroyed any remaining chance the Aztecs had at an at-large bid.Now, the only path might be to win the Mountain West Tournament. Circumstances can change and evolve quickly.
But San Diego State has underperformed all season, and the MWC is a potential one-bid league. That’s not a good scenario with one week to go until Selection Sunday.
10. California (21-10, 9-9)
To make the Big Dance, the Bears must make a run in the ACC Tournament. The losses to Pittsburgh and Wake Forest at the end of the year were damaging.As the 9-seed, California faces Florida State with a chance to play Duke if they handle the Seminoles. There’s always a chance.
But Cal’s NCAA Tournament hopes are on life-support and an at-large bid appears unlikely.
Just Missed: Stanford
