Following the Cats to Vegas? Know the odds

Know the odds 

The No. 1 rule of traveling to Las Vegas is this: If you’re gambling, know the odds.

Every team competing in this week’s Pac-12 Tournament has something at stake. Take a look at our odds — for entertainment purposes only, of course — before the games tip off Wednesday. 

Odds that Arizona makes its fifth Pac-12 title game in six years: 4-1

It’s easy to redo history and forget that the Wildcats haven’t always been in the driver’s seat in recent years. Arizona has advanced to four Pac-12 title games in five seasons, but it’s not like the Wildcats were some juggernaut, running roughshod. Arizona made it to the title game as a No. 4 seed in 2012, and, lo and behold, here it is in the four spot this year. Maybe seeing Oregon just once this year could play in the Cats’ favor. 

Odds that Bryce Alford shoots nine 3-pointers in a game: Even money 

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the three, and maybe that can explain Steph Curry and Dell Curry, but Bryce and Steve Alford — UCLA’s point guard/head coach combo — haven’t had quite the same effect. Alford has attempted eight or more 3-pointers nine times this season, and he’s averaging 6.2 attempts. Somehow that’s down from last year, when he averaged 6.6 a game. Oh, in those nine games? UCLA is 2-7. 

Odds that Washington State pulls off an upset over Colorado: 10-1

The Cougars are 1-17 in conference play, with their one league win coming over UCLA. They played well against Colorado, too, losing by five and seven points. Josh Hawkinson vs. Josh Scott is a fun duel, and Hawkinson could very well come out on top. 

Odds that Jakob Poeltl wins Pac-12 Tournament MVP: 3-1

Utah’s center has been dominant throughout the season, posting 14 double-doubles and being held below 10 points just four times. The Utes are in a strong position to make it to the title game, and Poeltl is the driving force. A win over Oregon — or even Arizona — would mean a trophy for the Austrian import. 

Odds that Arizona pays back Oregon: Even money 

And that’s being generous to the Wildcats. The Ducks stormed into McKale Center and sent Arizona to its first home loss in something like 19 years, so it’s not like they’ll be scared of what is always a pro-Wildcat crowd in Las Vegas. Arizona might have more household names than the Ducks, but Oregon sure is balanced. 

Odds that George King scores 20-plus: 2-1

Colorado’s King, the league’s top 3-point shooter, went off twice against Washington State this season, topping 20 points both times. He had 20-point games four times in Pac-12 play, and half those came against the Cougars. 

Odds that Lorenzo Romar wins No. 4: 1,000-1

Romar has been arguably the best coach in conference tournament history, with three titles since 2005. But come on — the Huskies are nowhere near primed for a championship run. 

Odds that Tra Holder leads the Sun Devils in scoring: 1-500

Now’s the time Holder is going to fade away? Fat chance. Holder has a chokehold on the Sun Devils’ scoring lead, and he led the team in scoring 16 times this year. He’ll be at his best against a stingy Oregon State defense. 

Odds that Gary Payton II reminds everyone of his dad: 1-100

It’s already a done deal. The kid has talent oozing out of his pores, and he reminds people of The Glove every time they see him. 

Odds that Cal cuts down the nets for the first time: 6-1

The Bears have a nice squad, and they were dominant at home. It’s a surprise that Cal hasn’t even won a Pac-12 Tournament during Mike Montgomery’s run. But Cuonzo Martin’s squad isn’t quite well-rounded enough for a long run. 

Odds that Stanford pulls out an upset for Johnny Dawkins: 30-1

If the Cardinal beat the Huskies, it’s not a shocker. If Stanford beats Oregon in the quarterfinals? That’d be a stunner. 

Odds that Jordan McLaughlin leads USC in scoring: 3-1

McLaughlin, the Trojans’ leading scorer, paced the team nine times this season, but with USC’s great balance, nothing is a given. USC had an impressive six players average in double-figure scoring this season. 

Odds that Utah makes first Pac-12 title game: 2-1

This is a bold bet, but the Utes might have the clearest path to their first championship game. Utah beat both of the teams it could face in the quarterfinals — UCLA and USC — and then it will meet the winner of either Cal or Oregon State/Arizona State. Things are looking up for Larry Krystkowiak. 

Odds that Josh Hawkinson and Josh Scott throw down for the ages: 1-3

This one is a gimme. There is no better first-round matchup of two Joshes in the conference, and maybe — heck, probably — the country. Hawkinson is averaging 15.6 points and leading the league with 11 boards a game for the Cougars, and Scott ranks fifth in the league in scoring at his 16.5 clip and fourth in rebounding at 9.1. 

Odds that Arizona State gives Bobby Hurley a tournament to remember: 1,000-1

Hurley had a rocky first season in Tempe, and with upstart Oregon State ahead — then Cal — it’s not looking good for an upset. Hurley may turn the corner at some point with the Sun Devils, but not yet. 

Odds that UCLA gives Steve Alford some breathing room: 1,000-1

The Bruins have stubbed their toes too many times this season, and a look at their plummeting win totals doesn’t bode well for Alford, who’s already on the hot seat. How hot? A fan petition to get him fired has more than 1,200 signatures. 

Odds that Colorado finds its magic again: 10-1

Just four years ago, the Buffaloes were the toast of Sin City, taking their first league tournament with a 53-51 win over Arizona. Colorado is not built for a tournament run, with middling stats and a weak non-conference schedule. It sure feels like the Buffaloes wasted their mojo with the upset of Arizona two weeks back. 

Odds that Tyler Dorsey makes Sean Miller cringe: Even money 

Of all Arizona’s near-misses on the recruiting trail, Dorsey, the former commit, might hurt the most. Oregon’s Dorsey is averaging 13.2 points per game as a freshman, and ranks in the top 10 in 3-pointers and 3-point shooting. Cal’s Ivan Rabb makes a case, too, but Dorsey could’ve helped Arizona on the perimeter. 

Odds that Andy Enfield gets a raise: Even money 

USC might not show well in the tournament, with a matchup against streaky UCLA, plus Utah waiting in the wings. But Enfield clearly has the Trojans on the ascent, and USC could find itself with a bye next season. 

Odds that Gabe York stays hot: 2-1

Arizona’s sweet-shooting senior went from a game-winner to a career-high in one weekend, and there’s little doubt he’s found his groove. A little doubt, though, because only two weeks ago, he was shut down by Colorado and Utah. 

Odds that Oregon State upsets Cal: 2-1

The Beavers are on the rise, and after splitting with the Bears during the regular season, it sure seems a toss-up this time around. With a stronger bench, Oregon State finished with its best conference record in 23 years. Against the Bears in a 77-71 win, the Beavers bench outscored Cal’s 42-8. 

Odds that Jaylen Brown improves his draft stock: 4-1

Brown, Cal’s stud freshman, should be the first Pac-12 player off the board, and he can’t get much higher. He’s expected to go in the top four, though Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Dragan Bender has nudged ahead in some recent mock drafts. If the Bears play just once in Las Vegas, it could be a showcase wasted. 

Odds that Andrew Andrews leads the tournament in scoring: 10-1

Look, this is no indictment of Andrews, the Pac-12’s leading scorer. He’s tremendous. But the Huskies won’t go very far, though he could very easily score 30 twice and take the nod. 

Odds that Rosco Allen tops 20 points: 5-1

The Stanford senior drastically upped his scoring this season, and he hit 20 points seven times this season. The tournament is a perfect time for a player to rise up, though, so don’t be surprised.