After a few dismal seasons, it appears the Pac-12 is trying to reclaim a spot in the best basketball conference argument. They may not be that this season, but they're not that far off and by the end of the year, they may have an argument. Between themselves and the Big 12, there may not be a more entertaining and unpredictable conference all season.
The Big Ten is likely the best conference. They have three teams in the top 5 and another real solid team with a potentially insane coach in Iowa. The middle might be a little softer than we imagined. Michigan is sorting through injury issues and sketchy PG play. Illinois looks better than advertised but are still young while Indiana and Purdue are probably not as good as we may have thought. Does the Pac-12 measure up?
Well, the Pac-12 isn't as top heavy as the B1G. I think Arizona is better than Michigan State, Ohio State & Wisconsin but I don't believe --at this particular moment-- the Pac-12 has another team better than those 3.
In KenPom's Top 50, we see 6 Pac-12 teams rated. Arizona is 2 and then the next team is Oregon at 24. The ratings are fluid, changing nightly with each game played but I'm pretty confident this will be the case for most of the year. Outside looking in are Stanford at 57 and Utah at 68. Utah has played a pretty terrible schedule to this point.
Here's a quick glance at who these teams from KenPom's Top 50 have played and beaten:
- 2. Arizona
Arizona has beaten Duke and UNLV and has a road win at Michigan. Arizona hasn't blown the doors off the competetion and havetrailed a fair amount of games at half but continue to win. Young at spots, the inconsistency within games shouldn't surprise. This is Sean Miller's best team since coming to the desert and are a real title contender.
- 24. Oregon
Oregon was undefeated prior to yesterday's loss at Colorado. The Ducks have played really good basketball this season and have wins over Illinois, Georgetown and Ole Miss. Losing at Colorado is no shame and the Ducks had the lead for a good chunk of the game befofe the Buffs took charge down the stretch.
- 30. Colorado
The Buffaloes are enjoying life in the Pac-12 as they appear headed to a 3rd straight NCAA appearance. The Buffs have only two losses on the season, both to Big 12 opponents, Baylor & Oklahoma State (prior to the suspensions and injuries). They did beat Kansas and Harvard and held home court serves against the Ducks.
- 31. UCLA
Year one under Steve Alford has started well. They lost twice with those losses coming to Missouri and Duke. They haven't beaten anyone of great note but they did beat USC 107-73 on Saturday. USC Coach Andy Enfield spent the off-season taking veiled shots at the Bruins and Steve Alford;s style of basketball. The Bruins responded on the court. Might be an interesting few years between these two.
- 46. California
The Golden Bears continue to play well under coach Montgomery. They stand 10-4 with 4 losses against potential tournament teams. The two that cause fans a bit of worry are to Dayton and UC-Santa Barbara. Obviously, UCSB needs to win the Big West to dance but they'll be among the favorites. Dayton looks solid thus far. It will behoove the Bears to get to 10 wins in conference or get a top-4 finish.
- 47. Arizona State
The Sun Devils could make an argument they have the conference's best player in PG Jahii Carson. That being said, a loss at home last week to Washington wasn't a good loss. The Huskies aren't a bad team, but the Wildcats have to win those type of games at home. They do own wins over UNLV and Marquette. They lost to Creighton which was a whooping and to Miami (FL) which will likely be a bad loss.
Washington, Stanford and Utah will cause some problems through the course of the season as well. Arizona is the favorite and Oregon should finish 2nd but 2-6 will be a battle. The Pac-12 is back.
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