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Bracketology: USC - Gonzaga rematch?

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney02/22/22ErikTMcKinney
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: USC Trojans guard Boogie Ellis (0) drives to the basket during the college basketball game between the ASU Sun Devils and the USC Trojans on January 24, 2022 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

USC’s four-game winning streak has the Trojans tied with UCLA for second place in the Pac-12 and on track for a first-round bye in the conference tournament. But after an Elite 8 appearance last season, the Trojans are looking for more than that.

In the latest bracketology, USC is safely in the field as a No. 6 seed for both Joe Lunardi of ESPN and Jerry Palm of CBS. USC is one of several teams where the bracketologists agree on the exact placement, with the Trojans in the West region for both.

In Lunardi’s bracket, USC would face off against 11-seed Creighton. Palm has the Trojans taking on SMU. Both then would have USC likely taking on 3-seed Wisconsin, which is coming off an interesting finish to its game against Michigan. Those first two games would take place in Milwaukee.

Also of note in both scenarios, USC is put in the same region of overall No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Last season, USC’s run into the Elite 8 was upended emphatically by Gonzaga in an 85-66 win.

On3’s Eric Prisbell also has USC as a 6-seed in his bracketology. Though that one doesn’t specify regions or potential opening opponents.

Pac-12 Bracketology

The Pac-12 is a three-bid league according to both experts. Oregon sits among the first for out for Palm and the next four out for Lunardi.

Arizona, which sits in first place in the Pac-12 and No. 2 in the nation, is the 1-seed in the South for both. UCLA, No. 12 in the AP and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll, is the 4-seed in the West for Lunardi and the 4-seed in the East for Palm.

USC’s finish to the season

USC hits the road later this week to take on Oregon State on Thursday at 8:00 pm. On Saturday, USC plays Oregon at 7:00 pm. Both games will air on ESPN2.

The Trojans then return home for an 8:00 pm matchup on Tuesday, March 1 against Arizona. That game was rescheduled from earlier in the year. USC then closes its regular season at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, March 5 at 5:00 pm. The Trojans will be looking for their sixth win in a row over the Bruins.

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz