Busting Brackets
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Pac-12 Basketball: Way-too-early preseason 2019-20 power rankings

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur the Wildcat stands on the baseline during the team's semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 86-75. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur the Wildcat stands on the baseline during the team's semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 86-75. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: McKinley Wright IV #25 of the Colorado Buffaloes passes against Ethan Thompson #5 of the Oregon State Beavers during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes defeated the Beavers 73-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: McKinley Wright IV #25 of the Colorado Buffaloes passes against Ethan Thompson #5 of the Oregon State Beavers during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes defeated the Beavers 73-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2) Colorado Buffaloes

Just to clarify, I have never been someone who thought Tad Boyle would ever coach a true Pac-12 contender, but I cannot deny the talent next year’s Colorado roster possesses. Not only do the Buffaloes return every major player from last season’s fourth place finish, they are also led by my favorite to win Pac-12 Player of the Year.

The experience, talent, and toughness on this roster make Colorado the safest bet to finish in the Top 3 next season. McKinley Wright and Tyler Bey are two of the better players returning to the Pac-12, with Wright having a strong argument to be an early contender for the nation’s best point guard. Shane Gatling, Evan Battey, Lucas Siewart, and D’Shawn Schwartz round out what could be the best starting six in the conference.

If there is any weakness for the Buffs, it is their lack of depth in the backcourt. If Eli Parquet or JUCO transfer Maddox Daniels are unable to provide quality rotational minutes, Boyle will have to go with a short three-man backcourt, which could prove fatal against the talent and depth of other teams in the conference.

Whether the Buffaloes improve drastically or not, they will certainly remain close to the top of the Pac-12 for most of the season. However, second may be their ceiling, with several of the other teams one or two pieces away from moving above them in these rankings.

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