Pac-12 Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

Oregon has been the class of the Pac-12 for the past few years and, even though Payton Pritchard will not be suiting up for the Ducks any longer, they still have more than enough talent to win the conference.

Star guards Chris Duarte and Will Richardson are back to lead the backcourt with former five-star recruit N’Faly Dante leading the frontcourt. Dante is talented enough to be the best player in the Pac-12 as a sophomore if he can get in better shape and become more consistent.

Those three will be the headliners, but Oregon has more talented depth than any other team in the league. Versatile forwards CJ Walker and Chandler Lawson return, both of whom have the potential to be excellent rebounders and defenders. Addison Patterson continues to add depth in the backcourt along with four-star freshman Jalen Terry, who may take over the point guard spot.

There are some question marks with this group, namely playing consistent defense and finding a go-to guy to replace Pritchard, but Dana Altman has proven that he knows how to get the most out of his roster.

The Pac-12 race should be as wide open and competitive as it has been in recent memory thanks to the number to legitimately good teams there are expected to be. But, despite the loss to Pritchard, I believe Oregon still has enough to enter 2020-21 as the favorite.