It usually isn’t long after NCAA tournament ends that “Way Too Early” type articles start popping up around the internet. With the Pac-12 already very much out of the tournament (NCAA that is, watch out NIT!), I started digging into what the league will look like next year. Yes, coaching moves, transfers in and out, and recruiting decisions will greatly impact the complexion of the league by the time November rolls around. And don’t forget about that pesky FBI. But a little fun never hurt...
I divided the teams into 4 categories: Top of the League, FBI Limbo, Middle of the Pac, and Bottom Feeders.
I’m excited to see how you all view the conference heading into bounceback (hopefully) year for our national brand. A longer breakdown of each team is below.
******Teams within each category are in alphabetical order…******
TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Oregon -
Loaded with talent after a top recruiting class, the Ducks should more closely resemble the Final Four squad from 2016-17 than this year’s team
UCLA -
Draft decisions will impact the Bruins more than any other Pac-12 team. If Holiday and Wilkes return, UCLA is the team to beat
Washington -
While Oregon and UCLA will rely heavily on incoming talent, Washington has experience, and that 2-3 zone, on its side
FBI LIMBO
Arizona -
It’s hard to predict a bottom-half conference finish for Arizona, but unless reinforcements come soon, that outcome may be inevitable
USC -
It remains to be seen how the FBI probe will impact the Trojans (yes, I went there…), but I do expect the upcoming uncertainty to help push Bennie Boatwright and Chemize Metu out the door
MIDDLE OF THE PACK
Arizona State -
If you thought this season was a wild ride in Tempe, next year’s team might need you to hold their beer...
Colorado -
I think the Buffs are still a year away, but next season will be very fun
Oregon State -
It’s make or break for the program’s most important recruiting class
Stanford -
The team surprised in the 2017-18 season, but are they up to the task again next year?
Utah -
Coach K is vastly underrated nationally and he’ll have the chance to prove it next year
BOTTOM FEEDERS
California -
Nowhere to go but up, hopefully
Washington State -
If they can get hot, they may pass a few teams in the section above
Here’s a little more on each team:
Oregon -
What they lose:
The Ducks played a tight rotation. That means the losses hurts depth even more. Plug-and-play grad transfer Mikyle McIntosh is gone. Standout freshman Troy Brown seems likely to cash in on his 1st round NBA draft buzz.
What they return:
G Payton Pritchard (So) - 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.8 apg
G Elijah Brown (Jr) - 13.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg
F Paul White (Jr) - 9.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
The pieces are still there in Eugene. Payton Pritchard and Elijah Brown lead the way.
What they add:
This is where Oregon has potential to make some noise. Bol Bol is a one-and-done talent. He will look to replicate DeAndre Ayton’s impact at Arizona. Louis King and Will Richardson would be worthy class headliners on their own and they should thrive with the bulk of the attention thrust upon Bol.
UCLA -
What they lose:
Welsh is finally gone. Seems like he’s been around forever. Aaron Holiday seems like a potential NBA early entry. There’s always a solid chance that a standout freshman or two leaves early and Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands could be those guys for UCLA.
What they return:
G Jaylen Hands (Fr) - 9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg
G Kris Wilkes (Fr) - 13.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
G Prince Ali (So) - 9.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
F Alex Olesinski (So) - 4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Wilkes and Hands, should they return, would headline the biggest collection of star talent in the Pac-12 next year. Glue guys like Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski provide depth and experience for a huge incoming recruiting class.
What they add:
No Ball brothers...but maybe the two other freshman from last years class who ran into trouble in China, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley. The 2018 UCLA recruiting class is scary. Headlined by Shaq’s son, Shareef, and stud C Moses Brown, the Bruins add young talent at every position.
If Aaron Holiday returns for his senior year, UCLA is the class of the Pac-12. If not, the potential return of Wilkes and Hands still leaves the team in the driver seat for a conference championship.
Washington -
What they lose:
Essentially nothing. All of their top 10 players will be back. Mike Hopkins will begin only his second year with the team. These guys could be a stealth Pac-12 championship contender. A potential loss or two could leave via transfer with the obvious depth returning.
What they return:
G David Crisp (Jr) - 11.6 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.3 spg
G Matisse Thybulle (Jr) - 11.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.9 spg, 1.4 bpg
G Jaylen Nowell (Fr) - 16.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg
F Noah Dickerson (Jr) - 15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Everything. Crisp, Nowell, Thybulle, Dickerson, Green, etc.
What they add:
A solid 4-man recruiting class that should add even more depth. I don’t expect any All-Freshman team types in this bunch, mainly because of the number of guys returning.
Arizona -
What they lose:
A LOT. All five starters are gone (although I’ve seen mixed reports on Rawle Alkins, he is expected to declare for the draft). Ayton looks like a top 2 or 3 pick in the NBA draft, Ristic and PJC finally exhausted their eligibility, and Trier is looking to get out while he can.
What they return:
No returnee for the Wildcats possesses a statline worth including here, but the players that do return were accomplished recruits with plenty of potential. Brandon Randolph, Emmanuel Akot, Ira Lee, and Alex Barcello were all top 100 level recruits from the last class and if they all return, they will be expected to establish the new era of Arizona basketball. Whatever that will end up being...
What they add:
F Chase Jeter - Transfer from Duke
With the wave of decommitments from their upcoming recruiting class, Arizona may be in some trouble. They have young talent, but no depth or experience. I expect a top recruit or two (they are still in the running for several top guys) to decide the opportunity to run the show in Tucson is worth the risk. I’d also watch for Miller (if he’s still around) to hit the grad transfer market hard.
USC -
What they lose:
The backcourt tandem of Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart graduate. Bigs Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright seem like they have early NBA entrants written all over them, although Boatwright did miss the latter portion of the season with an injury.
What they return:
G Jonah Mathews (So) - 9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg
G Jordan Usher (Fr) - 4.5 ppg, 2 rpg
G/F Shaq Aaron (Jr) - 4.4 ppg, 2 rpg
F Nick Rakocevic (So) - 8 ppg, 6.1 rpg
A group of talented role players if those top 4 guys all end up leaving. Former Duke transfer Derryck Thornton should see an expanded role this season. Jonah Mathews is solid and Jordan Usher seems ready for an expanded role, but this team should take a step back.
What they add:
Two top 100 guys who should be in the mix early. This roster seems to check all the boxes of a middle of the Pac team.
Arizona State -
What they lose:
Their senior guard trio of Holder, Evans, and Justice. They all averaged 32+ mpg and shot 37/38ish % from 3. Together they accounted for 57% of ASU scoring and kept the offense running by getting into the lane and hitting 3s from all over the court.
What they return:
G Remy Martin (Fr) - 9.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.9 apg
F Romello White (Fr) - 10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg
F Mickey Mitchell (So) - 5.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg
F De’Quon Lake (Jr) - 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg
A solid group of role players who will need to step up next year. Remy Martin should be one of the most dynamic guards in the league next year.
What they add:
F Zylan Cheatham - Transfer from SDSU
A stellar recruiting class headlined by Taeshon Cherry (who was recently expelled from his high school)
Cheatham, a former recruiting target of the Buffs, will provide more versatile size and rebounding. With a recruiting class that is arguably Hurley’s best thus far, ASU should have the perfect combination of talent and uncertainty for another roller coaster ride in Tempe.
COLORADO -
What we lose:
I think the loss of George King is big for this team. His rebounding and effort was one of very few constants for the Buffs this season. Collier and Miller-Stewart were rotation/character guys that will be missed as well. The biggest overall loss for the 2018-19 team is 3-point shooting. King and Collier provided it throughout their careers and the young Buffs will need to find their stroke from 3 to compete for a top 4 seed in the Pac-12 tournament.
What we return:
A lot of promise. Plenty has been said about McKinley and group that returns, but the hype means nothing if progress is not made in the offseason. Players improve with age and experience, but that’s not enough. The real improvement comes by simply putting in the work. I think the optimism, though maybe a bit overzealous at times, is justified because this group appears to have the mentality it takes to build on this season.
What we add:
How Tad uses the scholarship made available by the departure of Tory Miller-Stewart will go a long way in showing how he feels about next year’s team. A young, development big (or even a traditional transfer) will signal a believe that this team is still a year away (maybe the safe assumption). If Tad hits the grad transfer market, it will show his desire to take advantage of a period of uncertainty atop the conference. While I stated in another post that another ball handler, via the grad transfer market, would be a key for this team, I now think that type of player may be better suited for the 2019-20 squad. Putting too much pressure on next year’s squad would be foolish. While a step forward is to be expected, a top 3 or 4 finish in the conference will likely have to wait.
Oregon State -
What they lose:
Not much outside of JaQuori McLaughlin, who already decided to transfer back in December and didn’t play the rest of the season.
What they return:
G Stephen Thompson Jr. (Jr) - 15.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
G Ethan Thompson (Fr) - 9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
F Tres Tinkle (So) - 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.7 apg
F Drew Eubanks (Jr) - 13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg
It’s now or never for the Thompson Jr - Tinkle - Eubanks trio. The potential has been there, now it’s time for results.
What they add:
A serviceable freshman big out of CA, Jack Wilson. He’s got the size (6’11”) to provide some help to the Beavers frontcourt right away.
Stanford -
What they lose:
Big time contributors Dorian Pickens and Michael Humphrey have exhausted their eligibility, but the immediate future for the Cardinal hinges on Reid Travis. I would be shocked if doesn’t return for his senior year, but stranger things have happened.
What they return:
G Daejon Davis (Fr) - 10.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.9 apg
F Reid Travis (Jr) - 19.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg
F Kezie Okpala (Fr) - 10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F Oscar da Silva (Fr) - 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Mr. Travis is the key here, but there are also other nice pieces returning. The 2017 recruiting class started on the right foot.
What they add:
A middle of the road recruiting class for the conference. Nothing flashy, but needed quality depth.
Utah -
What they lose:
The transfer trio of Collette, Bibbins, and Rawson (they all began their respective CBB careers elsewhere) graduates. Bibbins ran the show and shot well from the outside while Collette and Rawson ran the high-low game as well as any pairing in the country.
What they return:
G Sedrick Barefield (Jr) - 11.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg
F Donnie Tillman (Fr) - 8.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
F Jayce Johnson (So) - 5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Sedrick Barefield will be the big man on campus for the Utes. Tillman and Johnson add size in the paint. They need to replace the effectiveness of Collette and Rawson, which is a tough task.
What they add:
Riley Battin (who the Buffs pursued in the recruiting game) provides more help inside. Watch out for a potential impact grad transfer as well. Coach K has a great track record in this department.
California -
What they lose:
Their size. Kingsley Okoroh and Marcus Lee move on. That’s not good news for coach Wyking Jones. He’s probably still wishing his first year as a head coach went down more like that of Mike Hopkins.
What they return:
G Darius McNeill (Fr) - 11.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.2 apg
G Don Coleman (Jr) - 14.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 spg
F Justice Sueing (Fr) - 13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Some promising freshman return. If this team takes any sort of step forward next year, it will be a successful season. This team still has a lot of rebuilding to do.
What they add:
A modest class, but plenty to help the current roster. Playing time will remain completely up for grabs over the next few seasons.
Washington State -
What they lose:
The Cougs don’t lose much, but they didn’t have a whole lot to begin with.
What they return:
G Malachi Flynn (So) - 15.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
G Viont’e Daniels (Jr) - 9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2 apg
F Robert Franks (Jr) - 17.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1 bpg
Flynn and Franks could be one of the more underrated duos in the league next year. Expect WSU to win a few they shouldn’t next year. They will be a better team, but they still lack Pac-12 level depth and top end firepower.
What they add:
A JUCO big and an under-the-radar frosh round out the team’s recruiting class. Not exactly the talent infusion needed for such a depleted roster.
I divided the teams into 4 categories: Top of the League, FBI Limbo, Middle of the Pac, and Bottom Feeders.
I’m excited to see how you all view the conference heading into bounceback (hopefully) year for our national brand. A longer breakdown of each team is below.
******Teams within each category are in alphabetical order…******
TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Oregon -
Loaded with talent after a top recruiting class, the Ducks should more closely resemble the Final Four squad from 2016-17 than this year’s team
UCLA -
Draft decisions will impact the Bruins more than any other Pac-12 team. If Holiday and Wilkes return, UCLA is the team to beat
Washington -
While Oregon and UCLA will rely heavily on incoming talent, Washington has experience, and that 2-3 zone, on its side
FBI LIMBO
Arizona -
It’s hard to predict a bottom-half conference finish for Arizona, but unless reinforcements come soon, that outcome may be inevitable
USC -
It remains to be seen how the FBI probe will impact the Trojans (yes, I went there…), but I do expect the upcoming uncertainty to help push Bennie Boatwright and Chemize Metu out the door
MIDDLE OF THE PACK
Arizona State -
If you thought this season was a wild ride in Tempe, next year’s team might need you to hold their beer...
Colorado -
I think the Buffs are still a year away, but next season will be very fun
Oregon State -
It’s make or break for the program’s most important recruiting class
Stanford -
The team surprised in the 2017-18 season, but are they up to the task again next year?
Utah -
Coach K is vastly underrated nationally and he’ll have the chance to prove it next year
BOTTOM FEEDERS
California -
Nowhere to go but up, hopefully
Washington State -
If they can get hot, they may pass a few teams in the section above
Here’s a little more on each team:
Oregon -
What they lose:
The Ducks played a tight rotation. That means the losses hurts depth even more. Plug-and-play grad transfer Mikyle McIntosh is gone. Standout freshman Troy Brown seems likely to cash in on his 1st round NBA draft buzz.
What they return:
G Payton Pritchard (So) - 14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.8 apg
G Elijah Brown (Jr) - 13.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg
F Paul White (Jr) - 9.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
The pieces are still there in Eugene. Payton Pritchard and Elijah Brown lead the way.
What they add:
This is where Oregon has potential to make some noise. Bol Bol is a one-and-done talent. He will look to replicate DeAndre Ayton’s impact at Arizona. Louis King and Will Richardson would be worthy class headliners on their own and they should thrive with the bulk of the attention thrust upon Bol.
UCLA -
What they lose:
Welsh is finally gone. Seems like he’s been around forever. Aaron Holiday seems like a potential NBA early entry. There’s always a solid chance that a standout freshman or two leaves early and Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands could be those guys for UCLA.
What they return:
G Jaylen Hands (Fr) - 9.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg
G Kris Wilkes (Fr) - 13.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
G Prince Ali (So) - 9.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg
F Alex Olesinski (So) - 4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Wilkes and Hands, should they return, would headline the biggest collection of star talent in the Pac-12 next year. Glue guys like Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski provide depth and experience for a huge incoming recruiting class.
What they add:
No Ball brothers...but maybe the two other freshman from last years class who ran into trouble in China, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley. The 2018 UCLA recruiting class is scary. Headlined by Shaq’s son, Shareef, and stud C Moses Brown, the Bruins add young talent at every position.
If Aaron Holiday returns for his senior year, UCLA is the class of the Pac-12. If not, the potential return of Wilkes and Hands still leaves the team in the driver seat for a conference championship.
Washington -
What they lose:
Essentially nothing. All of their top 10 players will be back. Mike Hopkins will begin only his second year with the team. These guys could be a stealth Pac-12 championship contender. A potential loss or two could leave via transfer with the obvious depth returning.
What they return:
G David Crisp (Jr) - 11.6 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.3 spg
G Matisse Thybulle (Jr) - 11.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.9 spg, 1.4 bpg
G Jaylen Nowell (Fr) - 16.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg
F Noah Dickerson (Jr) - 15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Everything. Crisp, Nowell, Thybulle, Dickerson, Green, etc.
What they add:
A solid 4-man recruiting class that should add even more depth. I don’t expect any All-Freshman team types in this bunch, mainly because of the number of guys returning.
Arizona -
What they lose:
A LOT. All five starters are gone (although I’ve seen mixed reports on Rawle Alkins, he is expected to declare for the draft). Ayton looks like a top 2 or 3 pick in the NBA draft, Ristic and PJC finally exhausted their eligibility, and Trier is looking to get out while he can.
What they return:
No returnee for the Wildcats possesses a statline worth including here, but the players that do return were accomplished recruits with plenty of potential. Brandon Randolph, Emmanuel Akot, Ira Lee, and Alex Barcello were all top 100 level recruits from the last class and if they all return, they will be expected to establish the new era of Arizona basketball. Whatever that will end up being...
What they add:
F Chase Jeter - Transfer from Duke
With the wave of decommitments from their upcoming recruiting class, Arizona may be in some trouble. They have young talent, but no depth or experience. I expect a top recruit or two (they are still in the running for several top guys) to decide the opportunity to run the show in Tucson is worth the risk. I’d also watch for Miller (if he’s still around) to hit the grad transfer market hard.
USC -
What they lose:
The backcourt tandem of Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart graduate. Bigs Chimezie Metu and Bennie Boatwright seem like they have early NBA entrants written all over them, although Boatwright did miss the latter portion of the season with an injury.
What they return:
G Jonah Mathews (So) - 9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg
G Jordan Usher (Fr) - 4.5 ppg, 2 rpg
G/F Shaq Aaron (Jr) - 4.4 ppg, 2 rpg
F Nick Rakocevic (So) - 8 ppg, 6.1 rpg
A group of talented role players if those top 4 guys all end up leaving. Former Duke transfer Derryck Thornton should see an expanded role this season. Jonah Mathews is solid and Jordan Usher seems ready for an expanded role, but this team should take a step back.
What they add:
Two top 100 guys who should be in the mix early. This roster seems to check all the boxes of a middle of the Pac team.
Arizona State -
What they lose:
Their senior guard trio of Holder, Evans, and Justice. They all averaged 32+ mpg and shot 37/38ish % from 3. Together they accounted for 57% of ASU scoring and kept the offense running by getting into the lane and hitting 3s from all over the court.
What they return:
G Remy Martin (Fr) - 9.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.9 apg
F Romello White (Fr) - 10.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg
F Mickey Mitchell (So) - 5.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg
F De’Quon Lake (Jr) - 7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg
A solid group of role players who will need to step up next year. Remy Martin should be one of the most dynamic guards in the league next year.
What they add:
F Zylan Cheatham - Transfer from SDSU
A stellar recruiting class headlined by Taeshon Cherry (who was recently expelled from his high school)
Cheatham, a former recruiting target of the Buffs, will provide more versatile size and rebounding. With a recruiting class that is arguably Hurley’s best thus far, ASU should have the perfect combination of talent and uncertainty for another roller coaster ride in Tempe.
COLORADO -
What we lose:
I think the loss of George King is big for this team. His rebounding and effort was one of very few constants for the Buffs this season. Collier and Miller-Stewart were rotation/character guys that will be missed as well. The biggest overall loss for the 2018-19 team is 3-point shooting. King and Collier provided it throughout their careers and the young Buffs will need to find their stroke from 3 to compete for a top 4 seed in the Pac-12 tournament.
What we return:
A lot of promise. Plenty has been said about McKinley and group that returns, but the hype means nothing if progress is not made in the offseason. Players improve with age and experience, but that’s not enough. The real improvement comes by simply putting in the work. I think the optimism, though maybe a bit overzealous at times, is justified because this group appears to have the mentality it takes to build on this season.
What we add:
How Tad uses the scholarship made available by the departure of Tory Miller-Stewart will go a long way in showing how he feels about next year’s team. A young, development big (or even a traditional transfer) will signal a believe that this team is still a year away (maybe the safe assumption). If Tad hits the grad transfer market, it will show his desire to take advantage of a period of uncertainty atop the conference. While I stated in another post that another ball handler, via the grad transfer market, would be a key for this team, I now think that type of player may be better suited for the 2019-20 squad. Putting too much pressure on next year’s squad would be foolish. While a step forward is to be expected, a top 3 or 4 finish in the conference will likely have to wait.
Oregon State -
What they lose:
Not much outside of JaQuori McLaughlin, who already decided to transfer back in December and didn’t play the rest of the season.
What they return:
G Stephen Thompson Jr. (Jr) - 15.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
G Ethan Thompson (Fr) - 9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
F Tres Tinkle (So) - 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.7 apg
F Drew Eubanks (Jr) - 13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg
It’s now or never for the Thompson Jr - Tinkle - Eubanks trio. The potential has been there, now it’s time for results.
What they add:
A serviceable freshman big out of CA, Jack Wilson. He’s got the size (6’11”) to provide some help to the Beavers frontcourt right away.
Stanford -
What they lose:
Big time contributors Dorian Pickens and Michael Humphrey have exhausted their eligibility, but the immediate future for the Cardinal hinges on Reid Travis. I would be shocked if doesn’t return for his senior year, but stranger things have happened.
What they return:
G Daejon Davis (Fr) - 10.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.9 apg
F Reid Travis (Jr) - 19.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg
F Kezie Okpala (Fr) - 10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F Oscar da Silva (Fr) - 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Mr. Travis is the key here, but there are also other nice pieces returning. The 2017 recruiting class started on the right foot.
What they add:
A middle of the road recruiting class for the conference. Nothing flashy, but needed quality depth.
Utah -
What they lose:
The transfer trio of Collette, Bibbins, and Rawson (they all began their respective CBB careers elsewhere) graduates. Bibbins ran the show and shot well from the outside while Collette and Rawson ran the high-low game as well as any pairing in the country.
What they return:
G Sedrick Barefield (Jr) - 11.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg
F Donnie Tillman (Fr) - 8.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
F Jayce Johnson (So) - 5.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Sedrick Barefield will be the big man on campus for the Utes. Tillman and Johnson add size in the paint. They need to replace the effectiveness of Collette and Rawson, which is a tough task.
What they add:
Riley Battin (who the Buffs pursued in the recruiting game) provides more help inside. Watch out for a potential impact grad transfer as well. Coach K has a great track record in this department.
California -
What they lose:
Their size. Kingsley Okoroh and Marcus Lee move on. That’s not good news for coach Wyking Jones. He’s probably still wishing his first year as a head coach went down more like that of Mike Hopkins.
What they return:
G Darius McNeill (Fr) - 11.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.2 apg
G Don Coleman (Jr) - 14.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 spg
F Justice Sueing (Fr) - 13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Some promising freshman return. If this team takes any sort of step forward next year, it will be a successful season. This team still has a lot of rebuilding to do.
What they add:
A modest class, but plenty to help the current roster. Playing time will remain completely up for grabs over the next few seasons.
Washington State -
What they lose:
The Cougs don’t lose much, but they didn’t have a whole lot to begin with.
What they return:
G Malachi Flynn (So) - 15.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
G Viont’e Daniels (Jr) - 9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2 apg
F Robert Franks (Jr) - 17.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1 bpg
Flynn and Franks could be one of the more underrated duos in the league next year. Expect WSU to win a few they shouldn’t next year. They will be a better team, but they still lack Pac-12 level depth and top end firepower.
What they add:
A JUCO big and an under-the-radar frosh round out the team’s recruiting class. Not exactly the talent infusion needed for such a depleted roster.
