Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament

The Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, otherwise known as the Pac-12 Tournament, is the annual concluding tournament for the NCAA college basketball in the Pac-12, taking place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena.

History

The predecessor conference of the Pac-12, the Pacific Coast Conference, began playing basketball in the 1915–16 season. The PCC was split into North and South Divisions for basketball beginning with the 1922–23 season. The winners of the two divisions would play a best of three series of games to determine the PCC basketball champion. If two division teams tied, they would have a one-game playoff to produce the division representative. Starting with the first NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 1939, the winner of the PCC divisional playoff was given the automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Oregon, the 1939 PCC champion, won the championship game in the 1939 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

The last divisional playoff was in the 1954–55 season. After that, there was no divisional play and all teams played each other in a round robin competition. From the 1955–56 season through the 1985–86 season, the regular season conference champion was awarded the NCAA tournament berth from the PCC, later AAWU, Pac-8 and Pac-10.

Beginning with the 1975 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, the league (known as the Pac-8 until becoming the Pac-10 with the 1978 arrival of Arizona and Arizona State) would usually place at least one other at-large team in the tournament. Following the end of UCLA's dominance in the 1970s, the Pac-10 would struggle to get out of the early rounds of the NCAA tournament.

By the 1985–86 season, the Pac-10 was one of three remaining conferences that gave their automatic NCAA tournament bid to the regular season round-robin champion. The other two conferences were the Ivy League and the Big Ten Conference.

1987–1990

The old version of the tournament logo, 2003–2010

The old version of the tournament logo, 2010–2011

Tournament logo for the 12-team conference

The modern tournament format began in 1987. The first incarnation of the tournament ran from 1987 to 1990, hosted at different school sites. UCLA was awarded the inaugural tournament, which was won by the Bruins. The Arizona Wildcats would take the next three. It was dropped after 1990 upon opposition from coaches, poor revenue, and poor attendance.^[1] The Pac-10 went back to having the regular season conference champion get awarded the automatic NCAA tournament bid for the 1990–2001 seasons. During that time Arizona and UCLA both won NCAA championships.

2002 to the present

In 1998, the Big Ten began to hold a conference tournament, leaving the Pac-10 and Ivy League the lone conferences without postseason tournaments. The tournament was restarted by an 8–2 vote of the athletic directors of the conference in 2000 after determining that a tournament would help increase exposure of the conference and help the seeding of the schools in the NCAA tournament.^[2] Stanford University and the University of Arizona opposed the tournament, while UCLA's and USC's votes, considered the deciding votes, were swayed by permanently hosting the tournament at Staples Center.^[3] Los Angeles is the second largest media market in the United States. The championship game has been broadcast nationally by CBS Sports.

With the 2011 championship game attracting only 12,074 paid attendees, less than two-thirds the capacity of Staples Center, commissioner Larry Scott reopened bids from other cities to host the Pac-12 Tournament. Other models including a round-robin model and hosting the tournament at conference sites have also been considered.^[4] Ultimately, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Seattle submitted bids for consideration.^[5]

On March 13, 2012 the Pac-12 Tournament was officially moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for a three-year term.^[6]

Television coverage

Effective with the 2012–13 season, as part of the new television contract signed with Fox Sports and ESPN, one quarterfinal game, one semifinal game, and the championship game will rotate between Fox Sports and ESPN, with ESPN obtaining odd year tournaments and Fox Sports even numbered tournaments. All other games are broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

Format

From 1987 to 1990 and 2006–11, all ten teams participated in the tournament, with the top six teams receiving a bye in the opening round. Between 2002 and 2005, only the top eight teams in the conference participated in the tournament. Of the Pac-12 schools, Washington State and Utah have never played in the championship game. Since 2012, all 12 teams have participated with the top four teams getting byes into the quarterfinals.

Results

Tournament championships by school

UCLA celebrating 2014 tournament championship

Note: No tournament held between 1990 and 2002.

Coaches with championships

• 4 – Lute Olson (Arizona – 1988,1989, 1990, 2002)
• 3 – Lorenzo Romar (Washington – 2005, 2010, 2011)
• 2 – Dana Altman (Oregon – 2013, 2016)
• 2 – Ben Howland (UCLA – 2006, 2008)
• 2 – Ernie Kent (Oregon – 2003, 2007)
• 1 – Mike Montgomery (Stanford – 2004)
• 1 – Walt Hazzard (UCLA – 1987)
• 1 – Tim Floyd (USC – 2009)
• 1 – Tad Boyle (Colorado – 2012)
• 1 – Steve Alford (UCLA – 2014)
• 1 – Sean Miller (Arizona – 2015)

^[7]

Coaches by all-time winning %

(.727) – Lute Olson (Arizona), (16-6)
(.600) – Lorenzo Romar (Washington), (15-10)
(.786) – Dana Altman (Oregon), (11-3)
(.647) – Sean Miller (Arizona), (11-6)
(.579) – Ben Howland (UCLA), (11-8)
(.579) – Ernie Kent (Oregon/Washington St.), (11-8)
(.455) – Mike Montgomery (Stanford/California), (10-12)
(.692) – Tad Boyle (Colorado), (9-4)
(.500) – Ben Braun (California), (7-7)
(.667) – Tim Floyd (USC), (6-3)
(.429) – Johnny Dawkins (Stanford), (6-8)
(.556) – Larry Krystkowiak (Utah), (5-4)
(.667) – Steve Alford (UCLA), (4-2)
(.571) – Henry Bibby (USC), (4-3)
(.750) – Walt Hazzard (UCLA), (3-1)
(.600) – Jim Harrick (UCLA), (3-2)
(.500) – Andy Russo (Washington), (3-3)
(.500) – Ralph Miller (Oregon St.), (3-3)
(.500) – Steve Lavin (UCLA), (3-3)
(.500) – Tony Bennett (Washington St.), (3-3)
(.333) – Craig Robinson (Oregon St.), (3-6)
(.250) – Herb Sendek (ASU), (3-9)
(.667) – Cuonzo Martin (California), (2-1)
(.667) – Bill Frieder (ASU), (2-1)
(.400) – Andy Enfield (USC), (2-3)
(.400) – Kelvin Sampson (Washington St.)
(.400) – Kevin O’Neill (Arizona/USC), (2-3)
(.333) – Don Monson (Oregon), (2-4)
(.333) – George Ravelling (USC), (2-4)
(.333) – Jay John (OSU), (2-4)
(.333) – Lou Campanelli (Cal), (2-4)
(.333) – Wayne Tinkle (OSU), (1-2)
(.000) – Bobby Hurley (ASU), (0-1)
(–) – Jerod Haase (Stanford), (0-0)

Note: Coaches with at least one win are listed here. Current coaches are in bold.

Coaches by tournament wins

16 – Lute Olson (Arizona), (16-6)
15 – Lorenzo Romar (Washington), (15-10)
11 – Dana Altman (Oregon), (11-3)
11 – Sean Miller (Arizona), (11-6)
11 – Ernie Kent (Oregon/Washington State), (11-8)
11 – Ben Howland (UCLA), (11-8)
10 – Mike Montgomery (Stan/Cal), (10-12)
9 – Tad Boyle (Colorado), (9-4)
7 – Ben Braun (Cal), (7-7)
6 – Tim Floyd (USC), (6-3)
6 – Johnny Dawkins (Stanford), (6-8)
6 – Larry Krystkowiak (Utah), (6-5)
4 – Steve Alford (UCLA), (4-2)
4 – Henry Bibby (USC), (4-3)
3 – Walt Hazzard (UCLA), (3-1)
3 – Jim Harrick (UCLA), (3-2)
3 – Andy Russo (Washington), (3-3)
3 – Steve Lavin (UCLA), (3-3)
3 – Craig Robinson (OSU), (3-6)
3 – Herb Sendek (ASU), (3-9)
3 – Cuonzo Martin (California), (3-2)
2 – Bill Frieder (ASU), (2-1)
2 – Lou Campanelli (Cal), (2-4)
2 – Kelvin Sampson (WSU), (2-3)
2 – Jay John (OSU), (2-4)
2 – Andy Enfield (USC), (2-3)
1 – Wayne Tinkle (OSU), 1-2)
0 – Bobby Hurley (ASU), (0-1)

Note: Only coaches with 2 or more wins listed here.

All-time records by team

As of March 15, 2015

*USC vacated its win vs. ASU in the 2008 Pac-10 Tournament.

Records All-Time by Seed

The number one seed has gone on to win 6 of the 17 conference tournaments (35.3% of the time). The lowest seed to win in the tournament history is the sixth seed. Notes— From 2002-2005 there were only eight seeds for the top eight teams participating in the tournament. In 2010 with USC on probation, only nine teams participated. From 2012 onward there have been 12 seeds. *In 2008 USC vacated its win vs. ASU, so that win is omitted from the 4 seeds all-time record below.^[7]

As of March 18, 2014

Pac-12 Tournament records

Pac-12 Tournament team records

• Margin of victory: 32 pts., Arizona (vs. Utah), (71–39), Mar. 13, 2014
  • 32 pts., UCLA (vs. OSU) (79-47), Mar. 9, 2006
• Most points per game: 103 USC, (vs. Stanford) (78), Mar. 7, 2002
• Fewest points per game: 40 USC (vs. UCLA), Mar. 7, 2012;
  • ORE vs. WSU, Mar. 11, 2009
• Most points per tournament: 278 Arizona, (3 games) Mar. 1988
• Most field goals per game
  • Team: 39 UCLA, (vs. ASU) (39-of-71), Mar. 6, 1987
  • Both Teams: 70, UCLA (39) vs. ASU (31), Mar. 6, 1987;
  • Both Teams: 70, Arizona (37) vs. OSU (33), Mar. 11, 1989
• Most field goal attempts per game
  • Team: 88, Arizona (vs. UCLA), Mar. 13, 2003 (33-of-88) (OT)
  • Both Teams, Game: 157, UCLA (69) vs. ARIZ (88), Mar. 13, 2003 (OT)
• Highest Field Goals % per game: 68.3%, CAL vs. USC, Mar. 10, 1988 (28-of-41)
• Most Assists Per Game: 23, ARIZ vs. OSU, Mar. 11, 1989
• Most Steals Per Game: 14, USC vs. CAL, Mar. 14, 2003; 14, ASU vs. USC, Mar. 13, 2008;
  • 14, UCLA vs. USC, Mar. 13, 2009
• Most blocked shots per game: 9, ORE vs. WASH, Mar. 7, 2002
• Most personal fouls per game (one team): 42, Oregon 42 (vs. UCLA) (1990)
• Highest field goal percentage per game: .683, CAL vs. USC, Mar. 10, 1988 (28-of-41)

Pac-12 Tournament individual records

• Most total points scored in:
  • Half: 25, Klay Thompson, Washington State vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2011 (2nd)
  • Game: 43, Klay Thompson, Washington State vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2011
  • Tournament: 83, Reggie Miller, UCLA, 1987 (3 games)
• Most field goals per :
  • Game: 15, Reggie Miller, UCLA vs. Arizona State, Mar. 6, 1987 (15-of 20)
  • 15, Klay Thompson, Washington State vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2011 (15-of-29)
  • Tournament: 27, Reggie Miller, UCLA, 1987 (3 games)
• Most field goal attempts per:
  • Game: 29, Klay Thompson, Washington State vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2011 (15-of-29)
  • Tournament: 60, Brook Lopez, Stanford, 2008 (25-of-60, 3 games)
• Field goal percentage per:
  • Game (min 10 made): 1.000 Bryce Taylor, Oregon vs. USC, Mar. 10, 2007 (11-of-11)
  • Tournament (min 15 made): .791 Isaac Austin, Arizona State, 1988 (19-of-24, 3 games)
• Game: Most 3-pt. FGs made
  • 8 Klay Thompson, WSU vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2011 (8-of-14)
• Highest 3-pt. FG % (min. 3)
  • Game: 100%, Bryce Taylor, Oregon vs. USC, Mar. 10, 2007 (7-of-7)
• Most total rebounds per :
  • Game: 20 Leon Powe, California vs. USC, Mar. 9, 2006
  • Tournament: 41 André Roberson, Colorado, 2012 (4 games);
• Most steals per :
  • Game: 7 James Harden, Arizona State vs. USC, Mar. 13, 2008
• Most steals per:
  • Game: 5 Jason Washburn, Utah vs. Colorado, Mar. 7, 2012
  • Game: Ike Diogu, Arizona State vs. Washington, Mar. 10, 2005

Pac-12 Tournament final game team records

• Most total points scored in a final game: 172 (Arizona 94, UCLA 78)(1990)^[7]

References

External links

• Pac-12 Tournament History