By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
January 22, 2022
Five games are on the docket for the Pac-12 this weekend, with three of the matchups airing on Pac-12 Network and two on FS1.
Pivotal sweeps are up for grabs in the Mountain, Bay Area, and Oregon regions, with USC, UCLA, Arizona, and Washington gunning for the deciding victories.
The results will continue to define the Conference race, which is shaping up to come down to the final weekend, barring an expected defeat or two.
I preview all five games here, and my picks along with Stephen Vilardo’s appear at the bottom.
No. 3 Arizona at California
Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, January 23
Noon PT, Pac-12 Network
The Lithuanian’s status for the Sunday afternoon matchup in Berkeley is questionable, probably resulting in another healthy dose of Oumar Ballo.
The big from Mali posted a career-high on the Farm, playing a larger role due to the absence of Tubelis.
Pelle Larrson figures to step into expanded duties as well, with UA’s rotation cut down to seven players.
The Cats face a California team that had an entire week to implement its game plan to slow down Tommy Lloyd’s system.
Jordan Shepherd and Andre Kelly are the Bears’ primary offensive weapons, and both project to play key roles against Arizona’s pace.
Look for Shepherd to slow the game down as much as possible, and Kelly to be the focal point late in the shot clock.
Mark Fox’s man-to-man system will be tested by Lloyd’s ball movement, with UA going small for stretches of the game.
If Cal is able to keep the matchup in the 50s, it has a chance to pull off the upset.
But if the contest is played at Lloyd’s pace, the Cats could secure their seventh road sweep of the Bay Area programs since the Conference expanded.
Washington at Oregon
Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, OR
Sunday, January 23
7:00 pm PT, FS1
But Oregon had its matchup with Washington State postponed earlier this week, and figures to come out strong at home.
Dana Altman is sure to have an effective scheme to counteract UW’s zone, and his press-defense might force the Huskies into turnovers.
Yet, Terrell Brown Jr. is playing on another level. The senior put up 27 against Oregon State and continues to lead the Pac-12 in scoring.
His efficiency from the field is the engine that drives Washington’s offense, creating the bull’s-eye for Altman’s defensive game plan.
The Huskies’ identity is defense, but they face a scheme that has the potential to give them doses of their own medicine.
To pull off the sweep, UW must win the turnover battle, double up UO in points off turnovers, and limit Oregon’s offensive rebounds.
If the Dawgs are able to do all three, they could find themselves with just their second sweep of the Oregon schools during the Pac-12 Era.
Saturday Previews
No. 16 USC at Utah
Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake
Saturday, January 22
3:30 pm PT, Pac-12 Network
Utah took the Bruins down to the wire on Thursday, proving how different a team they are when playing at home.
And facing a USC program seeking its second-ever sweep of the Mountain schools, Craig Smith has the potential to achieve a signature victory.
SC is 2-6 at the Huntsman Center since 2011 and hasn’t won in the building since 2018. But history meant nothing to Andy Enfield’s team two days ago, when USC snapped a seven-game losing streak to Colorado.
The Trojans must bring the same focus and intensity to Salt Lake City, or they could face consequences in the Pac-12 standings.
Not as outclassed on paper as some might think, Utah has comparable analytics in three-point percentage, total rebounds, and assists.
Within shouting distance in turnovers committed per game and blocked shot as well, this game has the potential to be closer than many expect.
To shock the Trojans, Lazar Stefanovic might need to knock down five threes or more.
No. 9 UCLA at Colorado
CU Events Center, Boulder, CO
Saturday, January 22
6:00 pm PT, Pac-12 Network
A victory would secure UCLA’s fourth sweep of the Mountain road trip, but the Buffs are fresh off an unsual loss at home.
Colorado’s opportunity to keep pace in the Conference race is an extra layer of motivation that should provide a boost in the early stages of the game.
Though a strong start from the Buffs is expected, the talent discrepancy should win out during the 40 minutes of the game.
Johnny Juzang, Jules Bernard, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are too skilled to be contained. And with Tyger Campbell running the point, UCLA has all the pieces to continue winning on the road.
That talent, though, can be counteracted with scoring runs developed from defensive stops. If CU knocks down transition shots produced from turnovers, the Buffs could avoid getting swept at home.
Arizona State at Stanford
Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA
Saturday, January 22
8:00 pm PT, FS1
The Arizona State offense, on the other hand, has struggled all season. Averaging just 62.7 points per game, ASU’s scoring ranks 325th out of 350 Division I teams.
The scoring troubles require Hurley’s squad to walk a fine line to win games. Fortunately, Stanford is an opponent that widens the margin of error.
The Tree are one of the worst teams in the country at taking care of the ball, committing an average of 15.8 turnovers a game after giving up 17 to Arizona on Thursday.
The turnover propensity gives the ASU offense more wiggle room, likely leading to extra possessions than it normally wouldn’t enjoy.
The extra possessions could be what keeps this matchup close into the final minutes, with the team scoring more points off turnovers walking away with the win.
January 22-23 Game Picks
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