The Pac-12 as we all know it should have one final dance as a basketball convention this season. The way forward for the “Convention of Champions” is unsure with not solely Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah departing for the Large 12 however Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington leaving for the Large Ten and in addition Cal and Stanford becoming a member of the ACC for the 2024-25 tutorial yr.
Within the sport of musical chairs higher referred to as convention realignment, Oregon State and Washington State are the lone applications from the Pac-12 and not using a residence for subsequent season making this the final hurrah for the standard Pac-12 lineup we’re accustomed to.
Two years after Oregon State, UCLA and USC all reached the Elite Eight, the Pac-12 did not have a workforce make it past the Candy 16 for the second consecutive season. The Bruins had been the final workforce standing from the 2023 NCAA Event earlier than they fell to Gonzaga within the Candy 16.
Arizona is coming off being on the flawed finish of one of many largest upsets in NCAA Event historical past. The No. 2 seed Wildcats had been upset by No. 15 seed Princeton. The excellent news for Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd and firm is that they added former North Carolina guard Caleb Love, who has expertise taking part in on the most important stage in school basketball. The Wildcats additionally return star massive man Oumar Ballo, who was tabbed as CBS Sports activities Preseason Participant of the Yr.
CBS Sports activities Pac-12 Preseason Participant of the Yr
Oumar Ballo | C | Arizona
With Kerr Kriisa off to West Virginia and Ąžuolas Tubelis departing for the NBA, Ballo is predicted to take an enormous leap this season as Arizona’s the highest returning offensive choice. Ballo averaged 14.2 factors and eight.6 rebounds on 64.7% capturing final season and each of these numbers are anticipated to extend. Ballo’s minutes practically doubled (15.3 to 27.6) from the 2021-22 season to final and he ought to anticipate to play much more on most nights if he stays out of foul hassle. Ballo completed the 2022-23 season with 11 double-doubles and the Wildcats will want an enormous season from their star middle in the event that they need to make a deep run within the NCAA Event.Â
4 extra gamers to look at within the Pac-12
Adem Bona | CÂ | UCLA: The reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Yr withdrew his identify within the NBA Draft and will likely be a key participant for Bruins coach Mick Cronin this season. Bona averaged 7.7 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in solely 23 minutes per sport and shot 68% from the sector.
Tristan da Silva | F | Colorado: Like Bona, da Silva had an opportunity to declare for the NBA Draft and as a substitute elected to return to high school for one last season. The senior ahead averaged 15.9 factors and 4.8 rebounds through the 2022-23 season.
Branden Carlson | CÂ | Utah: Carlson is without doubt one of the main returning scorers within the Pac-12 and he averaged 16.4 factors and seven.5 rebounds final season for the Utes.
Boogie Ellis | GÂ | USC: Ellis averaged 17.7 factors final season and he ought to pair completely with USC star freshman Isaiah Collier. They need to show to be among the best backcourts in America.
CBS Sports activities Pac-12 Preseason Freshman of the Yr
Isaiah Collier | G | USC
Collier was a comparatively late riser within the 2023 class. He was ranked within the 20s and 30s for a majority of his highschool profession earlier than skyrocketing into the No. 2 slot within the last 247Sports Class of 2023 rankings. Collier has an opportunity to be one of the best freshman in school basketball due to the position he is anticipated to tackle from Day 1 at USC. Collier was among the best passers in highschool basketball and his facilitating is taken into account his biggest energy as a participant. His type of play enhances Ellis within the backcourt properly as a result of he is without doubt one of the top-scoring guards within the nation. Collier is definitely within the dialog for the No. 1 total decide within the 2024 NBA Draft.
CBS Sports activities Pac-12 predicted order of end
Most overrated workforce
UCLA: Everybody is aware of how good of a coach Cronin is, however UCLA is the most important wild card within the convention this season. The Bruins have to switch Jaquez Jr., Campbell, Singleton and Clark and former star freshman Amari Bailey. UCLA has seven incoming freshman, together with 4 Worldwide gamers in its recruiting class. It is laborious to select an “overrated” workforce within the convention per se, however the inexperience on the roster makes the Bruins a goal. It would not shock me if UCLA makes a deep event run this season, however that might imply one or a few of its incoming freshman had a breakout season.
Most underrated workforce
Stanford: Haase is teaching for his job this season. In seven seasons on the helm of this system, the Cardinal have but to qualify for the NCAA Event. Haase brings in two ultra-talented freshmen in Stojakovic and Kanaan Carlyle and if one or each of them make a direct impression, it may save Haase’s job and assist Stanford attain the NCAA Event for the primary time since 2014 earlier than they depart for the ACC.