The Pac-12 Player of the Year hasn’t won the Pac-12 Tournament since 2008 (Kevin Love). Was the Ducks’ loss Saturday night a foregone conclusion? If so, the tournament committee made it relatively clear that the loss of Chris Boucher – and perhaps not to the Wildcats – would determine their fate. Their fate, of course, is off to the Midwest as the #3 seed out there.
Without a doubt, this was the most difficult Power Rankings I’ve had to complete. Considered foregoing it. I dropped teams with noteworthy showings (Colorado, Stanford), while others made huge jumps because – yanno – last week’s second through fifth ranked teams went a combined 0-6. Standard stuff. Begging the question: Is the Pac-12 full of parity or parody? The former would suggest that good teams are losing on the road to equally challenging opponents. The latter, however, suggests we’re in for a season of laughable outcomes, an opportunity to perhaps enjoy our Western anonymity.
But before you go diving onto the season’s panic button or attempt to rip your shirt off as you’re being escorted from the final minute of a rivalry game, remember that the Pac-12 is a historically difficult road game. Last season, home teams won 67% of the games – the third highest mark amongst conferences. This – my Utah and UCLA, friends – should have a calming affect. I think we can rest pretty well assured that this conference is full of champions! Parity.
As you gander this week’s Power Rankings, I encourage you to take your criticisms directly to me. Comment on Facebook, Tweet at me, or email – let’s talk it out. 2016: the year of the discussion.
Power Rankings:
There is immediate reason for optimism in Tempe. Like right now. Maybe this isn’t an NCAA tournament team, but when has ASU ever been a tournament team? Well, funny you should ask: the Devils have mustered just five invites since the ‘85 expansion (or roughly one-sixth of rival Arizona). But if we’re playing the relatable numbers game, ASU returns four starters from a team that finished tied for fifth. They introduce Bobby Hurley – the NCAA’s All-Time leading assists man – to Wells and have already received a visit from Grant Hill. And even if James Harden’s Adidas contract is bigger than ASU’s, you can still wear your Jordans.
A brief history of inexperienced coaches taking Pac-12 jobs: