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, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Wayne Tinkle of the Oregon State Beavers reacts during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans won 61-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Wayne Tinkle of the Oregon State Beavers reacts during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Trojans won 61-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

10) Oregon State Beavers

Last year was the best chance for Wayne Tinkle lead his Beavers deep into March, and he blew it. Despite having a solid record, and an incredibly competitive team, he was unable to win enough important games to earn a bid. Without a single 20-win season in Corvalis, and team that looks to finish at the bottom of the Pac-12, Tinkle will need to pull a miracle if he wants to keep a secure hold on his job.

Unlike Washington State, Oregon State still has a solid core to build around, with Kyler Kelly ready to take another step forward as the senior leader. Adding Payton Dastrup from BYU will also help the Beavers, as he could help stretch the floor and take some pressure off Kelly.

This season isn’t do-or-die for Tinkle, who should get at least two more seasons to make a run at the Big Dance, but it will certainly help determine how hot his seat becomes. One player to watch next season is junior forward Alfred Hollins. The former four star recruit struggled with his efficiency last season, but his freshman year showed how effective he could be.

If everything comes together, and Ethan Thompson or Tres Tinkle return, the Beavers could move up in the rankings. For now, however, it is tough to see them really competing with the top half of the conference.

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