Beyond The Arc: Pac-12 Preview

[Goose]

Nice write up from NBC's "Beyond the Arc". The whole thing is worth reading, but if you're curious...

Breakout Star: Andre Roberson, So., Colorado (also 2nd Team Pac-12)

Can Utah and Colorado compete?: This is a question that will take much longer than one season to answer. Heading into the year, however, don’t expect much out of the Utes. New head coach Larry Krystkowiak will be essentially starting from scratch this year, as a full 13 players have left the Utah program the past two years, and that doesn’t include former head coach Jim Boylen. Colorado, on the other hand, appears to be well on their way towards making a statement in the Pac-12. Tad Boyle is already cleaning up on the recruiting trail, and with a guy like Andre Roberson to build a program around, there’s no reason the Buffaloes can’t be competing near the top of the conference in a couple of years.

9. Colorado: The Buffaloes were a bit of a surprising snub from the NCAA Tournament in 2011. After a slow start to the year that saw them lost three of their first five non-conference games — all of which came on the road — Colorado proceeded to win 12 of their next 13, including a 3-0 start in the Big 12 with wins over Kansas State and Missouri. They would lose six of their next seven games, but with two more wins over Kansas State and an upset victory over Texas at home, the Buffs looked like they had a very good shot at dancing.

Unfortunately for Tad Boyle’s club, their first season in the Pac-12 likely won’t net them better results as three of their top four scorers graduated and their leading scorer, Alec Burks, bolted for the NBA. What is left is a lot of question marks. If there is a certainty for Colorado next season, its that sophomore wing Andre Roberson is their most interesting player heading into the season. Roberson, who stands 6’7″, is officially listed as a guard, but he led the team in rebounding at 7.8 rpg despite coming off the bench and averaged 22.8 mpg. In fact, Roberson ranked in the top 25 nationally in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. He also was a playmaker on the defensive end of the floor. If he can develop his offensive arsenal, with the number of shots coming available this season, there is plenty of reason why Roberson is getting mentioned on NBA Draft websites.

After Roberson, its unclear exactly what happens with this team. Seniors Trey Eckloff and Austin Dufault and sophomore Ben Mills are all back up front, but none of the three did much to impress last season. Sophomore Shane Harris-Tunks is back from a torn acl. Dufault is the best offensive weapon of the group, and he will be counted on to provide some balance to a roster that is once again perimeter oriented with Damiene Cain’s decision not to play basketball. Transfers Carlon Brown and Jeremy Adams will give Colorado some pop on the perimeter. Brown is an athletic wing that started for Utah while Adams is a well-regarded JuCo with a reputation for being able to score. The point guard spot may be one that is up for grabs. Senior Nate Tomlinson started last season, but sophomore Shannon Sharpe and freshmen Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker will be looking for playing time. I have a hard time seeing how Colorado will be able to compete at the top of the conference.

 

[absinthe]

Little unfair to Default at the end there, especially considering he was playing out of position.

 

[CVilleBuff]

Not buying Cal at #2. They'll be improved, but not to that degree.

I still think Oregon State sucks. 6th - no way.