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Pac-12 Basketball: 12 bold predictions for the 2018-19 season

By David Rosenthal

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court after a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins won 88-77. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court after a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins won 88-77. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Now that official season has begun, we can start the countdown to the start of PAC-12 play. So with about eight weeks until the first PAC-12 game, here are 12 predictions will definitely (maybe) happen this year in the Conference of Champions.

It is the start of the new season of college basketball and we could not be more excited, especially for those of us that are big fans of the Conference of Champions. But what will become of Pac-12 basketball for the 2018-19 season?

We make 12 bold predictions for the teams, players, coaches, recruiting classes, and other miscellaneous events surrounding the conference in the new season.

1. More Pac-12 teams will get into the NCAA Tourney this year than last

In 2017, the Conference of Champions sent just three teams to the NCAA Tournament. Much of that was due to a mostly evenly talented Pac-12 conference beating up on each other. By the end of the year, only 4 games separated conference champs Arizona and seventh place Washington.

This season, while still talented, the Pac-12 may have more division between the top and bottom half of the conference. Even though Arizona may be down this year, their down years are usually still good enough to make the tournament. UCLA and USC will have young but talented teams and both should be fighting for the Pac-12 title until the last weekend of conference play.

Oregon did an incredible job recruiting nabbing two five star players in 7”1’ Bol Bol and 6”8’ Louis King. Utah is another team that could also sneak into the tournament if they take advantage of the non-conference schedule.

2. Arizona will not win the Pac-12 title

With the Wildcats losing their top five scorers and an eventful offseason for head coach Sean Miller, this could add up to a down year for Arizona. In addition, Arizona’s 22nd ranked recruiting class is their lowest since 2010. For the first time in a while, UofA may be rebuilding instead of reloading.

Recruiting Class Ranking for Arizona

(according to 247sports.com)

            National    Pac-12

2018           22                     6

2017             3                     1

2016             9                     1

2015             3                     1

2014             3                     1

2013            11                   1

2012             3                     2

2011             4                     1

2010            32                    3