Breaking down the Pac-12 bids and seeds

In its final days, the Pac-12 produced an upside surprise that will assist those entities involved in the conference’s possible resurrection.

Upsets in the conference tournament put the Pac-12 in position to collect four bids to the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced Sunday.

Three different paths to the Madness unfolded:

— Top-seeded Arizona and No. 2 Washington State lost in the semifinals Friday night but are locks for the NCAA’s at-large field.

— Colorado likely moved off the bubble and into the tournament with its victory over the Cougars.

— Oregon earned the conference’s automatic bid by winning the final Pac-12 tournament, defeating UCLA, Arizona and Colorado on the way to the championship.

From two NCAA berths when the event began to four when it ended — the results aligned perfectly for a conference that underwhelmed throughout the regular season.

The bid total also means more cash for Washington State and Oregon State, the two schools not entering other leagues this summer.

As the sole members of the Pac-12 starting July 1, with hopes to eventually rebuild the conference, the Cougars and Beavers will be entitled to all NCAA Tournament revenue generated by outbound schools.

Every game played is worth approximately $2 million over time to that team’s conference. Even if all four Pac-12 entries lose their NCAA openers, WSU and OSU are guaranteed $8 million. Each victory would add $2 million to their future revenue total. (The money earned this month will be paid out over six years starting next spring.)

So it seems a second twist materialized in Las Vegas this week: The Cougars won by losing.

With the Pac-12 expected to receive four bids on Selection Sunday, what else should we expect when the tournament field is revealed at 3 p.m. on CBS?

Pac-12 seeds

Arizona’s slim chance to earn the No. 1 seed in the West seemingly vanished altogether when the Wildcats lost to Oregon on Friday night as double-digit favorites. But a stout resume constructed in November and December will prevent the Wildcats from falling below the No. 2 line. They are headed to Salt Lake City for the opening weekend and, with two victories, would advance to the Sweet 16 in Los Angeles.

Washington State seems destined for a No. 6 or 7 seed, and the difference is significant. As a No. 7, the Cougars would be paired with the No. 2 in the second round, a more challenging matchup than facing the No. 3 seed. (That No. 2 seed would not be Arizona; the Pac-12 teams will be placed in different regions, per selection procedures.)

There are several issues at play for Colorado, with participation atop the list. Our hunch is the Buffaloes not only make  the at-large field but avoid the First Four games thanks to a double-shot of propellant: Their victory over WSU on Friday night; and a stellar finish with eight wins in their final nine games.

Oregon, which would not have made the NCAAs through the at-large pool, will receive a double-digit seed.

The No. 1 seeds

If Arizona is on the outside looking in, which teams are on the inside?

Houston, Purdue and Connecticut are locks for the top line, with North Carolina favored for the final No. 1 seed after losses this weekend by contenders Tennessee and Arizona.