Conference Preview #3

We start out our top 3 with the Pac-12. Right off the bat we get a heavy hitter in Arizona, a team most have picked to make the Final Four. Sean Miller has been called the best coach to never make the Final Four, so this could be a big moment for the Wildcats as they long for the Lute (and Bobbie) Olson years. From a talent perspective they are heads and shoulders above the rest of the league but there are some legitimate contenders out there. Colorado, Stanford, UCLA, and even Utah could push for a top 5-6 seed when all is said and done.

League Champion: Arizona As mentioned they are a trendy Final Four pick for most. However, most prognosticators have them losing in that round to the likes of Kentucky, Wisconsin, or Duke. I love their talent and although they lost their best player they bring in a stud recruiting class. The problem with Arizona this year though is the same problem they had last year, a lack of depth. One big injury (again) or an off shooting night and they could be done. Ultimately I think they do nail down a 1 seed but I’m going to have a hard time picking them all the way.

At-Large: Colorado Tad Boyle has this program on the up and up and even without Spencer Dinwiddle they should take another step forward. 4 returning starters give them a leg up on the rest of the conference minus Arizona. I might have higher expectations than most but I think they end up in the 3-4 seed range

At-Large: UCLA They lost a ton in the off-season but bring in a stellar recruiting class including Milwaukee’s own Kevon Looney. The biggest question will be point guard which will be handled by the coach’s son. If he can keep his composure under pressure there is enough talent to be a top 25 team all year long

At-Large: Stanford They lose their heart and soul, Dwight Powell, but have a lot of pieces to step in and help close that void. Johnny Dawkins is off the hot seat for now after a big run last year including a huge upset over Kansas. He needs to follow it up with another bid to keep that seat cold

At-Large: Utah Talk about a team on the rise. At times last year they looked like a potential At-Large team but their Non-Conference Strength of Schedule was abysmal. This year should be different and will a talented roster coming back Larry K could have the Ute’s back in the tournament for the first time in a while. In might be in Dayton on Tuesday but a bid is a bid.

Also Considered: California