Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league's best

Pac-12 Basketball: Ducks to remain the league’s best

March 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman celebrates after cutting down the net after the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament against the Utah Utes at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Ducks defeated the Utes 88-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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March 18, 2016; Spokane , WA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) attempts a shot against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the first half of the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. California Bears

2015-16 record: 23-10 overall, 12-6 in Pac-12, reached first round of NCAA Tournament

Head coach: Cuonzo Martin

Key returning players: Ivan Rabb, Jabari Bird, Sam Singer, Kameron Rooks, Stephen Domingo, Kingsley Okoroh, Roger Moute A Bidias

Newcomers: Four-star PG Charlie Moore, JUCO transfer PG Don Coleman, Columbia GS G Grant Mullins, redshirt freshman Roman Davis

Last year, California’s roster was loaded with talented players, but unfortunately, the Bears dealt with inexperience issues and injuries at the wrong time. With a starting lineup of Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Mathews, Jabari Bird, Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, the Bears were never able to hit their stride.

In the NCAA Tournament, the Bears were eliminated in the first round, as Wallace was inactive due to a broken hand and Bird couldn’t play after having back spasms in warm-ups. Brown had an ugly performance and Cuonzo Martin’s team was upset by Hawaii.

In 2016-17, Cal won’t nearly have the amount of talent they featured last year, however, they could have more continuity and chemistry.

Most importantly, Ivan Rabb is back and could very well be one of the top players in the entire country. Rabb averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season, while shooting just 7.7 shots per game. He was very rarely the feature player of the Bears offense (that title went to either Brown or Wallace), but still was highly efficient when he touched the rock (62 percent from the field overall).

It’s unlikely that Rabb will keep that efficiency up with more shots per game, but he does have the skills, footwork and basketball IQ to carry this Bears team to the NCAA Tournament.

Beyond Rabb, Sam Singer will step in at point guard, Bird will provide shooting on the wing and Kameron Rooks, Kingsley Okoroh and Roger Moute A Bidias are ready to anchor the team’s interior defense.

Then there’s the four-star scrappy point guard, Charlie Moore. The 5’11” guard will backup Singer, bringing fearlessness and aggressiveness to the lead guard position. Also, Columbia transfer Grant Mullins can shoot the rock and gives Martin’s squad a touch of veteran savviness on the perimeter.

Overall, California has a solid roster that is potentially capable of finishing one slot higher in the standings depending on other circumstances. Rabb is a beast and his supporting cast are likely going to play their roles to perfection.

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