-The Pac 12 released no preseason poll or awards, so the following are just notes on each of the member schools in a semi-order of finish…
-The Pac 12 is back!!!! But…the Pac 12 Network doesn’t appear to be. Had the Pac 12 Network gotten the proper distribution the league may have never gone away in the first place…
-Gonzaga is the preseason favorites to win the league despite having to replace their entire starting lineup, but it’s easy to understand why. They are one of the programs that can simply reload their talent every year. Having said that, they aren’t completely stacked with players who have averaged double figures at big time programs. Xavian Lee is a solid PG, but Isiaha Harwell saw limited action last year, as did Davis Fogle in the frontcourt. But Braden Huff and Massamba Diop make up a strong post presence and the Zags are always able to have guys step into new roles.
-Utah State is coming off a 29 win season where they made it to the Round of 32, but only one starter returns from that team. They did get some solid pickups in the portal, though. AJ Bates comes over from Louisiana Tech after averaging just under 13ppg last year, Solomon Callaghan was a double digit scorer and solid outside shooter for Wright State last year, and they have some talented looking freshman as well. They also pick up Ben Jacobson, who is a proven head coach. I don’t know if Utah State will be quite as good as they were a year ago, but I do think they’ll be safely inside the bubble.
-I like this Colorado State team. I think they have a shot at making a run at the bubble. They finished last season winning nine of their last ten games before losing in the quarters of the MWC Tournament, and it was a really solid first year under Head Coach Ali Farokhumanesh where the team improved as the season went on. They return three starters, including Josh Pascarelli who was a solid backcourt player last year and a terrific outside shooter. Justin Menard, who averaged double figures at Marist last year, also transfers in to complete the backcourt. Kyle Jorgensen is another player to watch who has both size and range. I think the Rams could have a really solid year this year.
-San Diego State is coming off a 22 win season where they made it to the Mountain West Championship game, but failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Only one starter, and four players total, are back from last year, but they’ve added some big players from the portal. Latrell Davis (San Jose State, Chance Gladden (Boston U), Nick Anderson (Rice), and Isaiah Sy (Oregon State) were all double digit scorers last year and can all hit from range. If they can gel together, San Diego State will likely be dancing again come March.
-Boise State has won 20+ games last season for the last five years, but in that time never advanced beyond the First Four of the NCAA Tournament. Leon Rice has done a solid job (regardless of what Joby Fortsen says about their former conference), but I don’t look for them to be within reach of the NCAA Tournament this year. All five starters from last year are gone, and while they have a few players that put up impressive numbers at Under the Radar schools, they just don’t seem to have the pieces to run with the teams at the top of this league. They are projected to finish in the middle and I think that’s where they’ll end up.
-Washington State is back in the Pac 12!!!! Ummm…yay?? They had a miserable season last year where they won just 12 games, which was their worst one in a while. David Riley enters his third year as head coach and he will need to replace their entire starting lineup. Lazerek was a big time scorer in D2 last year and Fraser Roxburgh put up solid numbers at Manhattan, but they don’t have anyone who is really proven at this level. It could be another long year for Wazzu.
-Texas State comes in after being long time members of the Sun Belt. I believe they were one of about 37 teams in a tie for 2nd place last year. They won 19 games and were competitive in a pretty solid league. I think they’ll be able to hold their own against the bottom half of the league, but are a long way from the teams at the top. DJ Hall is a player to watch. He averaged over 15ppg last year. He’ll need some help, though.
-Oregon State is back in the Pac 12!!!! Umm…yay? They were a modest 9-9 in the WCC last year and lost most of the key players off that team. Josiah Lake was a solid player for them a year ago, and Deshon Gory is a solid portal-pickup from Fresno State. Legend Smiley comes in from San Francsisco and was a fantastic outside shooter last year, and Jackson Rasmusssen averaged double figures at Idaho, so they have some pieces and could finish higher than where they’ve been picked.
-Fresno State has struggled for a while and with all five starters gone it looks as though the struggles will continue. Head Coach Vance Walberg is entering his third season and has a couple formidable players transferring in in Dragos Lungu and Ross Candelino, but they don’t appear to have much depth and it could be another frustrating year.
