Cal Basketball Bracketology Update: #6 seed in CBS sports, #7 in ESPN

After the Bears swept the Washington schools this past weekend, many wondered if Cal could have a legitimate shot to reach a three seed if things go their way in the Pac-12 tournament. While a three might be wishful thinking, the Bears continue to climb the Bracketology rankings with their increasing success late in the year. Just a few weeks ago, Cal was ranked as low as a play-in eleven seed and with two weeks left in regular season play, the Bears are firmly in the 6/7 position. Either Cuonzo Martin just wanted to wait until crunch time to start passing around MJ's special stuff or the Bears are coming into their own at the best time possible.

The Bracket Project has the Bears in position as a seven seed but their average seeding across all brackets looks a lot more like a six. If Cal can win at home against UCLA and finish victorious against USC, expect the Bears to move well into the six seed category or even closer to a five. The Bears continue to be the benefactors of a strong RPI ranking due to the strength of the Pac-12 this season. The conference, while sometimes its own worst enemy, is still in position to send eight teams dancing come March. Joe Lunardi has the Bears matching up against Seton Hall in the first round in a 7-10 matchup and most likely facing Michigan State in the second round. Most of us want to see the Bears playing in the second weekend, and facing Tom Izzo in the second game would certainly hamper those expectations. CBS sports has Cal ranked as a six seed playing Monmouth first round and facing the winner of Maryland/UNC Wilmington.

As always, these are subject to change and will definitely look different by the time Pac-12 play wraps up. Cal fans take note, if the Bears finish strong and we pack the house at Haas for the next two games our tournament position gets brighter and brighter. As always, the wise decision as a Cal fan would be to keep low expectations and hope for the Bears to exceed them. IT DOES HAPPEN.

Jabari Bird, Jaylen Brown and Tyrone Wallace met with the press today and talked over preparation for UCLA:

Tyrone on what he likes about how Cal is playing right now:

• "I think we have a lot of guys stepping up, playing larger roles for the team. Guys confidence is through the roof, Jabari's been playing really well, Kameron's been playing really well, Sam. We keep getting production off the bench and get guys to contribute."

Jabari on reaching a new comfort level: