Watching last night's game, I couldn't help but think about next year's matchup, with Bitchynski, Carson and Marshall all likely moving on. Looking closer, there is a ton of talent leaving the P12 this offseason, and it could really impact the depth of the conference. Even assuming the Mayor moves on (which isn't exactly a lock), the Buffs look to be an early favorite again. A quick breakdown:
Arizona: The Cats are loaded and already have 3 of the top 75 prospects in the country (plus a top JUCO) locked up for next year. They're oversigned right now, so expect some attrition, but they'll weather the loss of Aaron Gordon and whoever else moves on just fine.
Arizona State: Their top 4 scorers will likely be gone, and those four also account for about 126 minutes per game. They recruited a little better this year, hitting the JUCO ranks hard and landing two top 150 prospects, but when Jonathan Gilling and Egor Koulechov are the two leading returning scorers, they're poised to fall hard.
Cal: Cobbs and Solomon are gone, but Wallace, Bird, Matthews and Kravish all return. Rohrie and Diallo were solid pickups, but still, it's hard to see a big jump forward unless Diallo or Rooks emerge inside next year.
Oregon: The traveling band of mercenaries will lose Moser, Lloyd and Calliste next year, but Young, Artis, Dotson and Cook return next year. Former top-100 recruit Jordan Bell should finally be eligible and another former 4* recruit, Brandon Austin, will be eligible mid-season. Along with incoming PG Casey Benson, the talent will be there, they could be much improved over this year, but there are some questions to be answered. They look to be very guard-heavy going into next season.
Oregon State: For a team struggling to get into the middle of the pack this year, losing their top-3 scorers will be a huge blow next year. Moreland and Cooke should lead the way, and big man Isiah Manderson was a solid get in this recruiting class, but it's going to be tough for the Beavers to keep pace with the top half of the conference next year.
Stanford: Dwight Powell, Josh Huestis, John Gage and Andy Brown all graduate this year, leaving huge holes in the front court. Chasson Randle and Stefan Nastic are really the only two returnees who made an impact this year. Youngsters Roscoe Allen, Christian Sanders and Malcolm Allen essentially lost the season due to injuries, and their returns and development next year will likely determine the fate of the Cardinal. Dawkins did manage to land a big-time recruiting class this year, but they'll need some veteran leadership to balance out that roster.
UCLA: As usual, expect a lot of turnover in this talented, unpredictable team. Right now, the Wear twins are the only upcoming losses, but NBADRAFT.net has LaVine and Anderson both going in the top-15. They have Isaac Hamilton and another top recruiting class waiting in the wings, but it's hard to see the team taking a step forward if both LaVine and Anderson declare for this year's draft.
USC: The worst team in the conference will graduate 3 of its top 4 scorers, but leading scorer Byron Wesley will be back. He'll be joined by transfers Katin Reinhardt and Darion Clark and a very good recruiting class highlighted by 4* PG Jordan McLaughlin. They'll be an improved team next year, but they have a big climb out of the conference cellar.
Utah: The Utes remain largely intact next year, with the exception of Renan Lenz's 12 minutes and 5 ppg. They'll continue to make the Rocky Mountain road trip brutal on opponents, even if they probably don't have the talent necessary to challenge the conference's elite teams quite yet.
Washington: The shine appears to have come off of Lorenzo Romar's star, with another mediocre season. Leading scorer CJ Wilcox and big man Perris Blackwell will graduate, although guards Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews will return to lead the way next season. Projected starter Jernard Jarreau, who missed the season due to injury will be back next season as well. Also, keep an eye on Fresno State transfer Robert Upshaw. He struggled on and off the court at Fresno, but the 7 footer is a former 4* recruit who could surprise.
WSU: The good news for WSU is they're only losing big man DJ Shelton this offseason. The bad news is he's nearly averaging a double-double (9.8ppg and 9 rpg) and they're woefully short on talent even with him. They're going to struggle again next year.
Arizona: The Cats are loaded and already have 3 of the top 75 prospects in the country (plus a top JUCO) locked up for next year. They're oversigned right now, so expect some attrition, but they'll weather the loss of Aaron Gordon and whoever else moves on just fine.
Arizona State: Their top 4 scorers will likely be gone, and those four also account for about 126 minutes per game. They recruited a little better this year, hitting the JUCO ranks hard and landing two top 150 prospects, but when Jonathan Gilling and Egor Koulechov are the two leading returning scorers, they're poised to fall hard.
Cal: Cobbs and Solomon are gone, but Wallace, Bird, Matthews and Kravish all return. Rohrie and Diallo were solid pickups, but still, it's hard to see a big jump forward unless Diallo or Rooks emerge inside next year.
Oregon: The traveling band of mercenaries will lose Moser, Lloyd and Calliste next year, but Young, Artis, Dotson and Cook return next year. Former top-100 recruit Jordan Bell should finally be eligible and another former 4* recruit, Brandon Austin, will be eligible mid-season. Along with incoming PG Casey Benson, the talent will be there, they could be much improved over this year, but there are some questions to be answered. They look to be very guard-heavy going into next season.
Oregon State: For a team struggling to get into the middle of the pack this year, losing their top-3 scorers will be a huge blow next year. Moreland and Cooke should lead the way, and big man Isiah Manderson was a solid get in this recruiting class, but it's going to be tough for the Beavers to keep pace with the top half of the conference next year.
Stanford: Dwight Powell, Josh Huestis, John Gage and Andy Brown all graduate this year, leaving huge holes in the front court. Chasson Randle and Stefan Nastic are really the only two returnees who made an impact this year. Youngsters Roscoe Allen, Christian Sanders and Malcolm Allen essentially lost the season due to injuries, and their returns and development next year will likely determine the fate of the Cardinal. Dawkins did manage to land a big-time recruiting class this year, but they'll need some veteran leadership to balance out that roster.
UCLA: As usual, expect a lot of turnover in this talented, unpredictable team. Right now, the Wear twins are the only upcoming losses, but NBADRAFT.net has LaVine and Anderson both going in the top-15. They have Isaac Hamilton and another top recruiting class waiting in the wings, but it's hard to see the team taking a step forward if both LaVine and Anderson declare for this year's draft.
USC: The worst team in the conference will graduate 3 of its top 4 scorers, but leading scorer Byron Wesley will be back. He'll be joined by transfers Katin Reinhardt and Darion Clark and a very good recruiting class highlighted by 4* PG Jordan McLaughlin. They'll be an improved team next year, but they have a big climb out of the conference cellar.
Utah: The Utes remain largely intact next year, with the exception of Renan Lenz's 12 minutes and 5 ppg. They'll continue to make the Rocky Mountain road trip brutal on opponents, even if they probably don't have the talent necessary to challenge the conference's elite teams quite yet.
Washington: The shine appears to have come off of Lorenzo Romar's star, with another mediocre season. Leading scorer CJ Wilcox and big man Perris Blackwell will graduate, although guards Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews will return to lead the way next season. Projected starter Jernard Jarreau, who missed the season due to injury will be back next season as well. Also, keep an eye on Fresno State transfer Robert Upshaw. He struggled on and off the court at Fresno, but the 7 footer is a former 4* recruit who could surprise.
WSU: The good news for WSU is they're only losing big man DJ Shelton this offseason. The bad news is he's nearly averaging a double-double (9.8ppg and 9 rpg) and they're woefully short on talent even with him. They're going to struggle again next year.
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