Before our attempt to find clarity, some context:
In 2014, five teams tied for third place in the final Pac-12 men’s basketball standings, each with 10-8 records.
In 2015, two teams tied for fifth and three tied for eighth.
In 2016, three teams tied for sixth.
In 2018, three tied for third.
Last season, three tied for fourth, three more tied for eighth, and seven finished within two games of each other.
The only year in the past six in which the order of finish featured actual order was 2017.
We expect clutter once again.