If this marks the final NCAA men's basketball tournament for the Pac-12, the conference is certainly going out with a bang.
Despite entering the tournament with only four teams, the Pac-12, also known as the "Conference of Champions," has shown its strength with all four teams advancing to the second round, boasting a perfect 5-0 record.
The Pac-12's impressive run began with Colorado's victory over Boise State in the First Four. Following that, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington State all secured wins, further solidifying the conference's dominance in the early stages of the tournament.
Although the Pac-12 has a storied history in college basketball, with several Final Four appearances, it has not captured a national championship since Arizona's triumph in 1997.
Nonetheless, the conference's performance in this year's tournament serves as a reminder of its basketball prowess, having claimed a total of 16 national championships in the sport.
In contrast, other conferences, including a Power Six conference, have struggled in the tournament, with several teams falling to double-digit seeds.
The tournament has also seen its fair share of upsets, with teams like James Madison, Yale, Northwestern, Clemson, and Grand Canyon securing unexpected victories.
These early triumphs have set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable tournament, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of college basketball.