Pac-12 women's tourney is loaded
Domination is the key word in women's college basketball this season from Caitlin Clark's transformative assault on the record book to top-ranked South Carolina's statement-making 29-0 record.
Just as dominant is what the Pac-12 has accomplished, going out on a high note before 10 of its members head to different leagues.
Six Pac-12 teams are ranked entering the conference tournament, which begins today. That includes three in the top 10 — No. 2 Stanford (26-4), No. 5 USC (23-5) and No. 7 UCLA (24-5).
The top three seeds in the tournament line up in that order, and the schools receive first-round byes along with 13th-ranked Oregon State (23-6). Colorado (21-8) is at No.18 and Utah (21-9) is ranked 22nd.
Stanford, the 2021 national champion, won at least a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title for the fourth year in a row, winning it outright this season.
Three of the Cardinal's four losses came against Pac-12 teams, so there is no easy path for Stanford or any of the other contenders to the tournament title.
USC closed the regular season by winning nine of 10 games, its only loss to Utah. The Trojans beat three ranked teams during that span.
UCLA enters the tournament having won seven of eight games, losing only to Oregon State while defeating two ranked teams.
ESPN projects seven Pac12 teams to make the NCAA tournament, tied for third with the Big Ten and Big 12. The ACC is projected to have nine teams make the field and the SEC to send eight.
But the Pac-12 is difficult to top in terms of quality. Six of its seven teams are projected to be seeded sixth or higher, with two teams (Stanford and UCLA) receiving No. 1 seeds.
Men
Zach Edey had 28 points and eight rebounds as visiting No. 3 Purdue beat No. 12 Illinois 77-71 on Tuesday night, becoming the first team in 17 years to win consecutive outright Big Ten regular-season championships.
The previous Big Ten team to win back-to-back outright crowns was Ohio State in 2006 and 2007.
Purdue (27-3, 16-3) improved to 7-0 against ranked opponents this season.
Marcus Domask led second-place Illinois (22-8, 136) with 20 points.
NO. 7 NORTH CAROLINA 84, NOTRE DAME 51 » Armando Bacot received a seniornight standing ovation in his ACC-record 162nd conference game and the Tar Heels overpowered the Fighting Irish (12-18, 7-12).
The fifth-year player who holds the school records for career rebounds and double-doubles checked out with about three minutes to play. Scoring his last basket at Smith Center on a 3-pointer, Bacot finished with 14 points and five rebounds.
RJ Davis had 22 points and six assists for the Tar Heels (24-6, 16-3).
The Tar Heels' fifth straight victory clinched at least a share of the ACC regular-season championship, the 33rd for the program. FLORIDA 105, NO. 16 ALABAMA 87 » Will Richard scored 23 points, Walter Clayton Jr. added 22 and the Gators beat the visiting Crimson Tide to stay in contention for a top four seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament.
Florida (21-9, 11-6 SEC) won for the 10th time in 13 games and finished 14-1 at home this season.
Tyrese Samuel and Zyon Pullin chipped in 19 points apiece to help the Gators avenge an overtime loss at Alabama two weeks ago and hand the Crimson Tide (20-10, 12-5) a third loss in four games.
Mark Sears led Alabama with 33 points, including 29 in the second half.