Pac 12 Basketball: 5 Most Important Incoming Freshmen For 2015-16

By Taylor Sturm

Pac 12 Basketball: Top 5 Most Important Incoming Freshmen For 2015-16

Ivann Rabb California — The Pac-12 is one of the few conferences in college basketball that will get drastically better with the start of a new season. Incoming recruits, as well as returning stars, will cause some of the worst teams in the conference during the 2014-15 season to compete for a berth in the 2016 NCAA tournament and the best teams to compete for a national title. Here are the five most important incoming recruits for the Pac-12 in the 2015-16 season.

5. SF Tres Tinkle – Oregon State

Oregon State Basketball mascot

5. SF Tres Tinkle – Oregon State

Oregon State Basketball mascot — Although not as highly rated as fellow incoming Beavers freshman Stephen Thompson Jr., Tinkle will be key for the Beavers this season. A team on the rise in the Pac-12, Tinkle should get decent minutes and bring some much-needed offense for Oregon State on the road.

4. SG Allonzo Trier – Arizona

Allonzo Trier arizona

4. SG Allonzo Trier – Arizona

Allonzo Trier arizona — The five-star recruit comes into a Wildcats’ side that could be a favorite to win the national championship. Trier’s contribution could be the difference between the Elite Eight and the Final Four.

3. SG Tyler Dorsey – Oregon

Oregon Ducks Cheerleaders

3. SG Tyler Dorsey – Oregon

Oregon Ducks Cheerleaders — The Ducks are bringing in a talented recruiting class, but they will miss Joseph Young’s scoring. Dorsey has to come in firing on all cylinders, or Oregon could struggle.

2. PF Chimezie Metu – USC Trojans

USC Basketball

2. PF Chimezie Metu – USC Trojans

USC Basketball — USC has consistently struggled the past few seasons. Metu should see a ton of playing time and has the potential to make a major impact.

1. PF Ivan Rabb – California

Ivan rabb Cal

1. PF Ivan Rabb – California

Ivan rabb Cal — The Golden Bears started off last season strong, but floundered in conference play. Rabb’s addition could be just what Cuonzo Martin and Co. need to make it to the Big Dance.

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.