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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Feb 21, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) put up a shot against California Golden Bears center Kameron Rooks (44) during the second half at Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. The Golden Bears won 80-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Washington State Cougars

2015-16 record: 9-22, 1-17 in Pac-12

Head coach: Ernie Kent

Key returning players: Josh Hawkinson, Ike Iroegbu, Charles Callison, Conor Clifford, Derrien King

Newcomers: Three-star PG Milan Acquaah, two-star PF Jeff Pollard, non-ranked PG Malachi Flynn, JUCO transfer SG Keith Langston, non-ranked G Jamar Ergas, JUCO transfer G Steven Shpreyregin

It’s almost a given that Washington State finishes in last in the Pac-12. Similar to Rutgers in the Big Ten and Missouri in the SEC, the Cougars just don’t have enough talent on their roster.

Ernie Kent’s team does return forward Josh Hawkinson (who could be an NBA player), guard Ike Iroegbu, and four of their top five scorers overall. However, that won’t be enough to climb the standings.

The team’s third leading scorer from last season, Que Johnson, transferred to Western Kentucky after testing out the NBA Draft pool, and the Cougars are still a relatively young team with very little depth.

Washington State is almost certain to win more than one game in conference play this season and record double digit wins overall. But that doesn’t mean they will be rising up the standings.

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