Nonconference winding down in the Pac-12 and SO MUCH has happened! Wait... What's that? Nothing has happened? Oh yeah, that's right...
This nonconference slate has been nothing short of a disaster for the Pac-12. The early part of the 2011-2012 slate has seen losses to numerous, let's say, less than stellar teams.
What do UC-Riverside, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Fresno State and Eastern Washington all have in common? Yes, they are all .500 or worse mid-major teams, but they are also .500 or worse mid-major teams with victories over Pac-12 schools.
That wouldn't be so bad, if there were some good wins to go along with those bad losses... But there aren't. The Pac-12 has not beaten a ranked team in any poll this season, nor have they even beaten a team that has been receiving votes in a poll when the game is played.
Sure, there has been close games. Washington State was a kind roll away from tying #23 Gonzaga in the waning moments of their game in Spokane. Stanford dominated their game against #5 Syracuse for 36 minutes, before letting that one slip away. Washington played back-to-back heartbreakers against #11 Marquette and #5 Duke.
But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The Pac-12 has not been able to get it done, and their stock has slipped. Some pundits say that the Pac-12 is as low as the 8th best basketball conference in the nation, others say they're in 9th.
Don't worry, I have good news.
The conference is guaranteed to win about half of their remaining games. How will that happen?
Two of the sweetest words in the English language will save us all: "Conference Play"
That's right! If you can't beat other people, might as well beat each other. The conference will win 11 games a week, and that's a sure thing.
A good sports writer would pretend like he knows exactly what is going to happen and not give in, even when he's wrong. I guess I'm not a good sports writer because I have no idea what will happen, and I admit it. The way the first part of the season has gone, all it will take is a long hot streak for a team to take control.
Below we have a team-by-team breakdown of every school in the conference. After this, you'll be ready for tonight's action and conference play into 2012.
Most of the categories are pretty self explanatory, some are not. Worst loss rankings are based on the CBS Sports RPI, as is the best win category. Conference misses are something new this year. Because of the expansion to 12 schools, teams no longer play every travel pair. This year, each team has a travel pair that they only see on the road and a travel pair that they only see at home.
Arizona
Record: 9-4
Worst Loss: vs. #59 Mississippi State (Neutral)
Best Win: @ #76 New Mexico State
Conference Home Miss: Cal/Stan
Conference Away Miss: Ore/Ore St
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. ASU
Notes: This is a rebuilding year for the Wildcats, but if there's one person that you want to rebuild your team, Sean Miller is near the top of the list. Arizona is aggressive and young, a dangerous combination for the years to come. They'll have to stay consistent to make something happen this year in conference play.
Arizona State
Record: 4-8
Worst Loss: Vs. #296 Northern Arizona
Best Win: Vs. #81 N Dakota St.
Conference Home Miss: Cal/Stan
Conference Away Miss: Ore/Ore St
This Weekends Matchup: @ARI
Notes: Arizona State is reeling from the loss of their superstar recruit Jahii Carson and they have to find some way to overcome the NCAA ruling him ineligible. They haven't figured it out yet, and their 2-6 record at home is proof of that. One thing is for sure, they will be fighting Utah for the worst team in the conference, much less the worst team in a power-conference.
California
Record: 10-3
Worst Loss: @ #57 SDSU
Best Win: Vs. #29 Denver
Conference Home Miss: UW/WSU
Conference Away Miss: Ari/ASU
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. USC/UCLA
Notes: Cal is good, they can beat teams they're are supposed to beat. But when they lose, boy do they lose. They've lost three games by 57 points, including a 92-53 shalacking at the hands of Missouri. But a loss is a loss, and Cal only has 3 of them. Along with Arizona, they will more than likely be the team to make a run at the title.
Colorado
Record: 8-4
Worst Loss: Vs. #104 Maryland (Neutral)
Best Win: Vs. #90 Georgia
Conference Home Miss: USC/UCLA
Conference Away Miss: UW/WSU
This Weekends Matchup: @ Utah
Notes: Colorado is young. With youth, comes in consistency. Colorado sure fits both of those bills. They are average on offense, but their defense could use a lot of work. Look for the Buffaloes to be a very streaky team in their first Pac-12 season.
Oregon
Record: 9-4
Worst Loss: @ #60 BYU
Best Win: @ #112 Nebraska
Conference Home Miss: Ari/ASU
Conference Away Miss: USC/UCLA
This Weekends Matchup: @WSU/UW
Notes: Oregon's been a surprise this year. Dana Altman has welcomed in numerous transfers and the experience they bring is sure to help this Duck team. Also helping The Ducks? A very weak schedule. While the Pac-12 isn't strong, it's a step up from the Duck's non-conference schedule. I expect the Ducks to get off to a rather slow start, but they could be a factor down the stretch.
Oregon State
Record: 10-2
Worst Loss: Vs. #235 Idaho
Best Win: Vs. #85 Texas (Neutral)
Conference Home Miss: Ari/ASU
Conference Away Miss: USC/UCLA
This Weekends Matchup: @UW/WSU
Notes: Oregon's start might have gotten more attention if it wasn't for cross-state rivals at Oregon State. OSU has gotten off to one of their best starts in recent memory. The Beavers have talent and they are very deep, plus, having a early player of the year candidate in Jarrod Cunningham doesn't hurt. Oregon State has a loss at a neutral court to Vanderbilt by two points, and a home loss to Idaho just days after the death of a fellow athlete in football player Fred Thompson. The Beavers are good, they may even have the best win with their victory over Texas. OSU is going to be a factor and has a shot to make their first NCAA Tournament since 1990.
Stanford
Record: 10-2
Worst Loss: Vs. #111 Butler
Best Win: Vs. #43 Colorado State
Conference Home Miss: UW/WSU
Conference Away Miss: Ari/ASU
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. UCLA/USC
Notes: Alongside Oregon State, Stanford has been the pleasant of the year in the Pac-12. They only have two losses, one in a game the had complete control of for most of the time to Syracuse (Who is now the #1 team in the nation), and one to last year's national championship runner ups. Stanford is very talented. They are a very deep and dangerous team. Along with Cal, they appear to be the favorites for the title. That two game road trip to Northern California will be murder this season in the Pac-12.
UCLA
Record: 7-5
Worst Loss: Vs. #210 Loyola Marymount
Best Win: Vs. #87 Richmond
Conference Home Miss: Ore/Ore St
Conference Away Miss: Cal/Stan
This Weekends Matchup: @Stan/Cal
Notes: UCLA... Where to start... Their start was disastrous. They lost 5 of their first 6 games to D-1 schools, including losses to Middle-Tennessee and Loyola-Marymount. This horrible start coincided with star center Reeves Nelson being kicked off the team for various violations of team rules. UCLA has started to gain steam and have been on a five game win streak to go into conference play. Don't overlook The Bruins. UCLA is talented and Howland has shown that he can get the job done. Opening up in Northern California is going to hinder their chances at a fast start, but UCLA, who was picked to win the conference, is still a dangerous team. All this slow start has done is force them under the radar.
USC
Record: 5-8
Worst Loss: Vs. #129 Cal Poly
Best Win: Vs. #74 TCU
Conference Home Miss: Ore/Ore St
Conference Away Miss: Cal/Stan
This Weekends Matchup: @Cal/Stan
Notes: USC played a tough schedule, and it shows in their record. What else has shown in their schedule? The lackluster offense of the Trojans. They have failed to score over 55 in six of their losses, including putting up 36 points in a loss to Cal-Poly, 40 points in a loss to Minnesota and 41 points in a loss to New Mexico. USC is going to have to figure out their offense if they want to contend, and I don't see them doing that.
Utah
Record: 3-9
Worst Loss: Vs. #313 Montana State
Best Win: Vs. #220 Portland
Conference Home Miss: USC/UCLA
Conference Away Miss: UW/WSU
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. Colorado
Notes: Utah is bad. Make no mistake. Some might even say they are among the worst power-conference teams in recent memory. They are the worst offensive team in the Pac-12 AND the worst defensive team in the Pac-12. Just look at those numbers above: Their best win came against the 220th best team in the nation. They were on a two game win streak after wins against Portland and Idaho State, but followed that up with a 29 point loss at Weber State. Utah could surprise people, but I don't see it happening. The Utes are going to struggle near the bottom of the league in their first season in the Pac-12
Washington
Record: 6-5
Worst Loss: @ #105 Nevada
Best Win: Vs. #117 UC Santa Barbra
Conference Home Miss: Utah/Colorado
Conference Away Miss: Cal/Stan
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. Ore St/Ore
Notes: The Huskies were expected to be relied upon as a Pac-12 powerhouse this season, but that was just not to be. UW is 0-4 on the road with losses to Saint Louis, Nevada, in overtime, and back-to-back losses to nationally ranked Duke and Marquette. The frosting on the cake was a home loss to South Dakota State in a game that the Dawgs were really dominated throughout. UW has a lot of talent, when Tony Wrotten is on, he is tough to beat, but the pieces don't fit together well at all. Romar has yet to figure out how to put the puzzle together consistently. If he does find a way to do that, the Huskies will be a huge threat to walk into the NCAA Tournament with the Pac-12 title.
Washington State
Record: 8-4
Worst Loss: Vs. #233 UC Riverside (Neutral)
Best Win: Vs. #126 Eastern Washington
Conference Home Miss: Utah/Colorado
Conference Away Miss: Cal/Stan
This Weekends Matchup: Vs. Ore/Ore St
Notes: What's the deal with the Cougs? There really isn't one single go-to point scorer on the roster and the team has been injured all season. So how are they 8-4. Brock Motum and Charlie Enquist are huge reasons. These two were mere bit players last year, but they have been a factor and really stepped into the lime light. Wazzu's defense has also been a huge part of the deal. Throw in a schedule filled with cupcakes, including a D-II school in Western Oregon, and the Cougs are in good positioning headed into conference play. WSU needs a player like Reggie Moore or Faisel Aden to take the offense and start scoring.
Have fun watching the games this holiday weekend! For more Pac-12 hoop action, check out a fun podcast that I produce called 18 and Life. Jeff Nusser and Seth Kolloen talk Pac-12 basketball every week. It really smart and really fun, give it a listen!
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