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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DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: Kimani Lawrence #14 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the First Four of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 20, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 20: Kimani Lawrence #14 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts during the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the First Four of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 20, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

6) Arizona State Sun Devils

It is hard to predict where Arizona State will finish in the Pac-12 because Bobby Hurley has built a strong program marred by inconsistency. Just last year, Arizona State beat Kansas, Washington and Mississippi State while suffering losses to Princeton, Washington State and Vanderbilt. This inability to maintain a high level of play against seemingly weak opponents limits the Sun Devils more than most teams.

This year, with the Pac-12 looking to return to their spot as a legitimate high-major conference, Arizona State may not have enough to make a push for the conference title. The loss of Zylan Cheatham and Luguentz Dort will be huge for a team that relied on the effort of this duo.

Remy Martin and Rob Edwards will be looked upon to become the leaders of this squad, with the frontcourt trio of Romello White, Taeshon Cherry and Kimani Lawrence attempting to take a big step forward. The incoming recruiting class is solid, but will not scare other teams in the conference, which may mean a shorter rotation in big games.

Bobby Hurley’s job security at Arizona State has come about due to two narrowly earned bids into the NCAA Tournament, but he will be looked upon to take that next step. This season, it appears that Arizona will once again be a bubble team, but that will have to change if Hurley wants to leave a strong legacy behind.

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