LAS VEGAS — The merchandise stand is stocked with jewel tones. The Pac-12 women’s basketball tournament offers Washington purple, Oregon emerald, Southern California gold. But the most popular shirt here is plain white.
It’s the conference merch that everyone wants: A simple white tee with the Pac-12 logo on the chest. (On the first day of the tournament, it sold out in every size by mid-afternoon, before the second half of the daily slate could even tip off; more were ordered for the coming days.) The fans have come to cheer on their respective teams, of course, but they have also come to say goodbye. If the tournament is primarily a display of some of the best teams in the country, it also feels like part farewell party, part wake.
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