Busting Brackets
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Pac-12 Basketball: Preseason projected 2018-19 rankings

By Lukas Harkins

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court after a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins won 88-77. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court after a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins won 88-77. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 07: Robert Franks #3 of the Washington State Cougars passes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 07: Robert Franks #3 of the Washington State Cougars passes. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Washington State finished second-to-last in the Pac-12 last season but it seems unlikely that the team will be any better in 2018-19. This is due to the fact that the program experienced some major losses this offseason in the form of five departures. In addition to losing seniors Drick Bernstine and Steven Shpreyregin, the program also had to say goodbye to these players: Malachi Flynn, Jamar Ergas, K.J. Langston, Kwinton Hinson, and Milan Acquaah. All of these losses will hurt the 2018-19 hopes for this program but at least there is one bright spot from this offseason.

After testing the NBA Draft waters, star forward Robert Franks elected to return to school for his senior season. A 6-foot-7 forward, Franks averaged 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season. He was the go-to-player on the team a year ago and he will more than likely reprise that role again during this upcoming campaign. He is a dynamic scorer with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. At his size, shooting over 40% from three (40.5% on 5.4 3PA per game) makes him very dangerous.

The problem for Washington State, though, is that Franks has very little help. Viont’e Daniels will likely be the second offensive option during this upcoming season. A highly efficient guard, Daniels averaged 9.0 points per game last year while shooting 45.5% from distance on 5.0 3PA per game. Another player to watch will be Carter Skaggs. While coming off of the bench for most of last season, Skaggs shot 40.4% from distance (5.5 3PA per game) and scored 8.2 points per game.

Washington State is bringing in a fair amount of new players this offseason but it seems unlikely that any will have a large enough impact to move out of the bottom of the conference.

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