NCAA Basketball Pac 12 Basketball

How the Pac 12 Looks Entering the College Basketball Season

Pac 12 Basketball

Pac 12 Basketball
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The games may be on late due to their West Coast starting times, but that doesn't mean the Pac 12 is less entertaining. Some of the best basketball in the western half of the country was played along the coast, and the Pac 12 promises to be solid once again. Here is a look at the conference as we enter the upcoming year.

12. Washington State

Washington State basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

12. Washington State

Washington State basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

A brand new coach will be at the helm this year as Ken Bone was fired after five seasons. The team went 10-21 overall, lost two students to graduation and two to transfer. It will be a long season of rebuilding for this program.

11. USC

USC basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

11. USC

USC basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

Coach Andy Enfield was busy restocking the cabinet with recruits after the loss of five graduates and two transfers. The Trojans only won two games in league play last season, and this could be another long year in Los Angeles if the Trojans aren't careful.

10. Oregon State

Oregon State basketball
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10. Oregon State

Oregon State basketball
Richard Mackson -- USA TODAY Sports

Wayne Tinkle takes over a program that was fairly successful out of the conference but mustered an 8-10 record in league play. Tinkle had some decent recruits come in, including power forward Cameron Oliver, but Oregon State lost nine players and that will weigh this team down for a little while.

9. Washington

Washington basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

9. Washington

Washington basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

Small forward Donaven Dorsey will bring some talent to this program, which doesn't lose an awful lot following a 17-15 season and a 9-9 mark in Pac 12 play. The Huskies will need a bit of luck to overcome some of the teams in this league, and because of that, Washington will finish in the bottom half.

8. Utah

Utah basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

8. Utah

Utah basketball
Kyle Terada -- USA TODAY Sports

The Utes won 21 games last year but were quickly ousted from the conference tournament by Arizona. Still, it wasn't a bad year at Utah on the court, but several departures off the court will prevent the Utes from making much headway in the standings.

7. California

California basketball
Kelley Cox -- USA TODAY Sports

7. California

California basketball
Kelley Cox -- USA TODAY Sports

Mike Montgomery retired, but the Golden Bears picked up Cuonzo Martin after a successful coaching run at Tennessee. Will Martin continue a successful stretch that saw California go 21-14 last season? Or will the Golden Bears fall short?

6. Arizona State

Arizona State basketball
Scott Olmos -- USA TODAY Sports

6. Arizona State

Arizona State basketball
Scott Olmos -- USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State was part of the five-way tie in the Pac 12 for third place at 10-8, but the loss of nine players will hurt this team. Incoming players such as center Connor McDougall will help cushion the blow, but the Sun Devils might take a step back.

5. Colorado

Colorado basketball
Kim Klement -- USA TODAY Sports

5. Colorado

Colorado basketball
Kim Klement -- USA TODAY Sports

The Buffaloes went 23-12 last year but were thumped by Pittsburgh in the NCAA tournament. Still, it was one of their more successful years in conference play, and the team only lost two seniors. This should make Colorado a team to be scared of when play begins.

4. Oregon

Oregon basketball
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4. Oregon

Oregon basketball
Benny Sieu -- USA TODAY Sports

It was an eventful offseason with several players dismissed due to sexual assault accusations, and many others departed the team due to graduation. Five-star recruit JaQuan Lyle and his powerful play could help the Ducks stay in contention for a Pac 12 title, however.

3. Stanford

Stanford basketball
Scott Rovak -- USA TODAY Sports

3. Stanford

Stanford basketball
Scott Rovak -- USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinal reached the Sweet 16 before it fell to Cinderella Dayton, but it was a fairly strong year in the Bay Area for basketball. Six players graduated, but the Cardinal should be among the teams to watch once again in the Pac 12.

2. UCLA

UCLA basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel -- USA TODAY Sports

2. UCLA

UCLA basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel -- USA TODAY Sports

The floodgates have opened at Pauley Pavilion, and it had nothing to do with the recent water main break. UCLA won 28 games and made its first regional semifinal in six years, giving the Bruins hope that contention for conference titles isn't a pipe dream. UCLA should be back in the swing of things next season.

1. Arizona

Arizona basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel -- USA TODAY Sports

1. Arizona

Arizona basketball
Christopher Hanewinckel -- USA TODAY Sports

The Wildcats were one of the top teams in the nation until injuries and a cold streak hit late in the year. Still, Arizona reached the Elite Eight and took Wisconsin to overtime before falling, so 33 wins and an Elite Eight appearance means another good year. Five solid incoming freshmen will help Arizona stay strong.

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