2024 Pac-12 Tournament Highlights and Future Outlook

4 minute read

The 2024 Pac-12 Tournament, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, concluded with an unexpected victory for the Oregon Ducks. Their win against rivals Arizona and Colorado secured them the 2024 championship title. This victory also marked a significant moment of transition for this football team network, as 10 of the 12 member teams are set to leave the conference. In effect, this tournament was possibly the last of its kind in terms of the current setup. 

An image of two basketball players for the Oregon Ducks winning highlights at the 2024 pac-12 tournament.

Pac-12 Conference Tournament Analysis

The 2024 Pac-12 Tournament finals was one of the most unpredictable matchups in recent history, with the Ducks winning the trophy despite basketball odds of +1,200 was a testament to the unpredictability and competitive nature of college basketball. 

Semifinals and Finals Highlights

In the semifinals, The Ducks took on the Arizona Wildcats, a team that displayed their dominance throughout the regular season, and led the tournament with a 15-5 conference record and an overall 24-7 mark. 

The championship game saw Oregon face off against the No. 3 team the Colorado Buffalos, who had an impressive run with a 13-7 conference record and 22-9 overall. 

Regular Season Standings Context

Besides Arizona's standout performance, the Washington State Cougars and Colorado Buffalos also finished above .500 in conference play, highlighting their capabilities and potential in the tournament. However, it was the Ducks, with a 12-8 conference record and 20-11 overall, who rose through the ranks, challenging and overcoming the odds stacked against them.

2024 Pac-12 Tournament Basketball Betting Odds:

Team Basketball Odds Arizona -155 Colorado +500 Washington State +500 Oregon +1200 Utah +1600 USC +2000 Washington +3000 UCLA +4500 Stanford +6500 California +13000 Arizona State +16000 Oregon State +35000

2024 Regular Season Standings

Team Average Overall Arizona Wildcats 15-5 24-7 Washington State Cougars 14-6 23-8 Colorado Buffalos 13-7 22-9 Oregon Ducks 12-8 20-11 UCLA Bruins 10-10 15-16 Utah Utes 9-11 18-13 California Golden Bears 9-11 13-18 Washington Huskies 9-11 17-14 USC Trojans 8-12 14-17 Stanford Cardinal 8-12 13-17 Arizona State Sun Devils 8-12 14-17 Oregon State Beavers 5-15 13-18

Analysis of the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament Outcomes

The 2024 Pac-12 Tournament provided a series of unexpected turns that led to the Ducks' championship victory. Their path to the title was marked by critical games against highly favoured teams. Bettors who chose to bet on basketball witnessed firsthand the unpredictability of the tournament, as the Ducks overcame highly favoured teams to claim the title. Their performance not only challenged the expectations set by college basketball odds but also showcased their ability to perform under pressure and strategize effectively against formidable opponents.

Oregon's Road to Victory

The Duck’s unexpected championship win began with their upset victory over the Arizona Wildcats in the semifinals. At the start of the tournament, Arizona was the favourite due to their impressive 15-5 record and 24-7 overall performance. However, Oregon's strategic approach and execution on the court disrupted Arizona's rhythm, and led to the Ducks being propelled into the finals.

The Colorado Buffalos boasted a strong 13-7 conference and 22-9 overall record and they tested The Duck’s skills in a challenging matchup. 

Key Historical Trends in the Pac-12 Tournament

This tournament has had its fair share of memorable moments, standout performances, and dominant teams throughout its history. Let’s take a look at some of these past winners and their notable performances that have shaped the tournament over the years.

Past Tournament Champions

Year Winner Runner Up 2024 Oregon Colorado 2023 Arizona UCLA 2022 Arizona UCLA 2021 Oregon State Colorado 2019 Oregon Washington 2018 Arizona* USC 2017 Arizona* Oregon 2016 Oregon Utah 2015 Arizona Oregon 2014 UCLA Arizona

Dominance of Arizona and Oregon

Looking at the recent decade, Arizona and Oregon stand out as key players. Arizona has won the title an impressive nine times. However, it's important to note that two of these victories (2017 and 2018) were vacated due to NCAA penalties. On the other hand, the Duck’s have clinched five championships, including the most recent one in 2024. 

The Significance of Seeding

Something interesting for bettors to keep track of is the fact that iIn 11 out of the last 12 seasons, the top-seeded team made it to the final round. The only exception to this trend occurred in 2012, when the top-seeded Washington was upset by ninth-seeded OR State in the quarterfinals.

Limited Success of Los Angeles Schools

Since 2010, the Los Angeles schools, UCLA and USC, have not had much success in the Tournament. UCLA's 2014 victory over Arizona is the only championship win for a Los Angeles school during this period, with USC reaching the final just once in the last decade, where they were defeated by Arizona in 2018.

The Future of the Pac-12 Conference

The Pac-12 Conference is at a crossroads as 10 of its 12 teams have exited the conference as of March 2024. These departures pose both challenges and opportunities for the future of the conference.

Despite leaving the conference, a temporary arrangement has been made where the exiting members will continue participating in PAC 12 bowl games until 2026 when new contracts are likely to be made. 

These bowl games include the Alamo, Vegas, Holiday, Sun, LA, and Independence bowls which remain aligned with the network. However, the Rose Bowl is excluded due to its inclusion in the College Football Playoff rotation.

Bowl Selection Process and Potential Challenges

Future of Exiting Teams

Only Oregon State and Washington State will remain in the current network from the 2024-25 academic year onwards, while the exiting teams are switching to new conferences:

Despite these departures, the NCAA allows a two-year grace period for conferences to meet the minimum membership requirement, so there is the option for restructuring the conference. However, it should be noted that The Duck’s athletic director has also expressed a preference for joining another power conference.

Impact on Online Basketball Betting Predictions 

Having just Oregon State and Washington State as the primary teams will significantly impact how online sportsbooks set basketball odds for games and futures. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Pac-12 Conference's legacy in college basketball is marked by its competitive spirit and history of producing championship contenders. As the conference adapts to the recent exit of the majority of its members, the conference’s overall commitment to the sport's success is clear. We hope that the conference will successfully regroup, by attracting new members who share the same dedication to excellence in college basketball.

Paul Richard - Author
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Paul Richard is a professional sports betting and casino content writer with over three years of experience. He provides expert tips, strategies, and betting advice to help bettors succeed.

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