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Seattle Times staff reporter Bob Condotta provides a running commentary on the Huskies.

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March 4, 2009 1:16 PM

Lunardi says "90 percent chance'' UW heads to Portland

If Joe Lunardi knows what he's talking about, start making your reservations for Portland.

The ESPN Bracketologist held a conference call with reporters today, and when he was asked about where Washington might end up he said "it's about a 90 percent chance'' that the Huskies will be placed in Portland for the first two rounds if the NCAA Tournament.

Lunardi said the two factors weighing in UW's favor are winning the Pac-10 (or at least a share, so far) and that there won't be too many other highly-seeded teams from the West Coast, meaning that those that are highly-seeded will be kept close to home. He said he expects UCLA to end up in Boise, the other Western first-round site.

Lunardi said he expects UW to end up as a three or a four, saying there's little chance they'd drop below a four. As for getting a higher seed, he indicated that's unlikely due to the strength of teams from other conferences --- being seeded ninth overall would mean a third-round seed.

Lunardi also said he thinks Arizona is "hanging by a thread'' in its attempt to get into the tournament --- the Wildcats have qualified every since 1984 -- and likely need a sweep this weekend plus a win or two in the Pac-10 Tournament.

But he said that he ultimately thinks Arizona will get into the tournament, giving the Pac-10 five entries --- UW, Cal, UCLA, Arizona State and Arizona.

"I'm going to say five because more teams are playing their way out right now and all those bubble teams aren't going to make it unless we have a huge number upsets among the Butler's of the world, and there are really not that many Butler's this year,'' he said. "So there's going to be room for Arizona.''

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Comments

Hey Bob, long time reader – first time poster. With all these POY, COY, FOY, and All Pac-10 discussions, it had me thinking about who did... Posted on March 4, 2009 at 2:18 PM by HarryDub. Jump to comment

You mean we might have to wait until next season to toss the dirt in on AZ's coffin? Poor Meat will live in a world alternating between... Posted on March 4, 2009 at 3:12 PM by mddawg. Jump to comment

Everything you hear about Arizona reminds me of last year with the Huskies. Just win two more games...maybe a couple games of the Pac 10 tournament... Posted on March 4, 2009 at 1:39 PM by Myk. Jump to comment

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