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NCAA Basketball: Villanova’s struggles, 2K Classic outcomes and other takeaways

By Brian Rauf

VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: The Villanova Wildcats bench looks on in the final moments of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Finneran Pavilion on November 14, 2018 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Michigan defeated Villanova 73-46. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: The Villanova Wildcats bench looks on in the final moments of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Finneran Pavilion on November 14, 2018 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Michigan defeated Villanova 73-46. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Abu Kigab #24 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass despite defense from Nicholas Baer #51 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Abu Kigab #24 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass despite defense from Nicholas Baer #51 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Connor McCaffery #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

3) The Pac-12 is a complete disaster

Only three Pac-12 teams made the NCAA Tournament last year and none of those three teams won a game. There was some hope that the conference would be a little bit stronger this year – that is not the case.

There are only five teams in the conference that remain undefeated through three games but none of them have played another Power 6 school. Furthermore, almost all of those teams have narrowly avoided an upset. Arizona State needed double overtime to beat Cal-State Fullerton, Long Beach State had a lead over UCLA in the second half, and yeah…you get the idea.

Even the conference’s better teams have hurt the conference’s pedigree. Oregon, a preseason top 15 team, fell flat on their face against Iowa. Washington, another ranked team, lost to Auburn by 22. USC lost at home to Vanderbilt and Stanford got smacked by UNC in Chapel Hill.

Essentially, every Pac-12 team has provided a negative reinforcement of their perception while none have done anything to uplift it. Oregon has a chance to be better once star freshman Louis King returns to the court but this is a conference that will be pressing to send three teams to the NCAA Tournament again.

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