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

By Carmine Carcieri

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
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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Jan 28, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; UAB Blazers head coach Jerod Haase looks on from the sidelines during the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Hilltoppers won 69-62. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; UAB Blazers head coach Jerod Haase looks on from the sidelines during the second half at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Hilltoppers won 69-62. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Stanford Cardinal

2015-16 record: 15-15 overall, 8-10 in Pac-12

Head coach: Jerod Haase (first year)

Key returning players: Reid Travis, Dorian Pickens, Marcus Allen, Michael Humphrey, Marcus Sheffield, Christian Sanders, Grant Verhoeven, Malcolm Allen, Josh Sharma, Robert Cartwright

Newcomers: Four-star SF Kodye Pugh, three-star C Trevor Stanback

Other than their leading scorer Rosco Allen, the Stanford Cardinal bring back virtually everyone from last year’s .500 team. You would think that the Cardinal would rise in the standings, but they have a some issues they must deal with before the season tips off on November 11.

First, the Cardinal have a new head coach in Jerod Haase. Haase led UAB to the NCAA Tournament two years ago, progressively improving the Blazers’ in all four years he was on the job.

Haase is a terrific hire and is in position to do a better job than Johnny Dawkins did in his eight years in Palo Alto (he only made one NCAA Tournament). But every time a new coach joins a program there will be an adjustment period.

Secondly, two key players on Stanford’s roster are coming off significant injuries. Forward Reid Travis, the leading returning scorer, had a stress fracture in his leg and point guard Robert Cartwright dealt with broken arm. Again, there will be an adjustment period for these two as they work back into form.

Finally, Stanford will also have to figure out issues at the point guard position. Dorian Pickens, Marcus Allen, Christian Sanders and Robert Cartwright can all handle the ball, but which of the four players can be the most consistent? Who’s going to score from that position, but also distribute to open teammates?

Don’t get me wrong Stanford has some intriguing pieces. Travis is a monster in the paint when healthy. I think Marcus Sheffield will be a breakout performer in the Pac-12 this season. Michael Humphrey is an inside-out piece. Pickens scored in double figures last year. Josh Sharma is a former four-star recruit. And Marcus Allen is a veteran.

But how will all the pieces all come together? And can they do damage in a conference that is filled with talented teams? Stanford could make this projection look foolish, but there are other squads ahead of them right now that I feel more comfortable with.

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