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

By Connor Hope | Apr 30, 2019

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) /

13 of 13

TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats talks with Ira Lee #11, Brandon Randolph #5 and Dylan Smith #3 during the second half of the NCAAB game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1) Arizona Wildcats

Let’s be clear on this, Arizona’s position at the top of these rankings may be surprising to some, but they should remain there unless the dominoes fall against Sean Miller. If Miller comes out of the corruption case unscathed and without an NCAA investigation, Arizona is poised to take the big leap back to the top of the Pac-12.

Not only does Arizona return a handful of key pieces, they also bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the country. Brandon Randolph is currently going through the NBA Draft process, but if he chooses to return, the Wildcats may even find themselves as an early Top 10 team.

One thing that makes this Wildcats team so dangerous is that there is no clear “top player” to run the offense through, making defenses prepare for a balanced attack. Nico Mannion and Josh Green appear to be instant starters, alongside Brandon Williams and Chase Jeter. However, the fifth starting role could be handed to one of a handful of players including Ira Lee, Zake Nnaji, or Cornell transfer Stone Gettings.

Next. Way-too-early preseason top-25 for 2019-20. dark

If Oregon gets a couple of their draft prospects to return, Washington lands one more recruit, Colorado avoids ridiculous upsets, or USC can play strong team defense, Arizona could fall. However, as it stands, the Wildcats are the most talented team in the Pac-12, and a jump from eighth to first in the conference shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Home/Pac-12