The Pac-12 contender pool is a mixed bag of tournament programs, NIT hopefuls, and basement schools. Where do the Trojans sit in the pack? First, let’s drain the swamp of could-be’s and tangible contenders and assign a baseline conference ranking.
1.) UCLA: The Bruins get the top nod, but with this caveat. Steve Alford’s self-destructive tendencies have made success elusive, let Kris Wilkes, Moses Brown, and Jaylen Hands control the team’s destiny.
2.) Oregon: One and two are relatively interchangeable. Bol Bol is a generational talent, and Payton Pritchard is an all-conference player.