“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait one more week until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
This week we’ll feature the Pac-12.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. UCLA
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Tyger Campbell
G Chris Smith
F Johnny Juzang
F Jaime Jaquez
C Jalen Hill
Key Losses: Prince Ali, Alex Olesinski
Key Newcomers: Jaylen Clark, Kenneth Nwuba (redshirt), Johnny Juzang (Kentucky)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Jules Bernard, Cody Riley, Kenneth Nwuba, David Singleton, Jaylen Clark, Jake Kyman
2020 NBA Watch: Chris Smith (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Mick Cronin’s squad will be two-deep at every position if Chris Smith returns to school.
2. Stanford
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Tyrell Terry
G Daejon Davis
G Bryce Wills
F Ziaire Williams
F Oscar da Silva
Key Losses: None
Key Newcomers: Noah Taitz, Max Murrell, Brandon Angel, Ziaire Williams, Michael O’Connell
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Noah Taitz, Max Murrell, Brandon Angel, Lukas Kisunas, James Keefe, Jaiden Delaire, Spencer Jones, Michael O’Connell
2020 NBA Watch: Tyrell Terry (will go through the draft process)
The Skinny: The Cardinal will play in the 2021 NCAA Tournament with or without Tyrell Terry.
3. Arizona State
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Remy Martin
G Alonzo Verge
G Josh Christopher
F Kimani Lawrence
C Jalen Graham
Key Losses: Rob Edwards, Mickey Mitchell, Romello White
Key Newcomers: Josh Christopher, Marcus Bagley, Chris Osten (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: Luther Muhammad (Ohio State), Holland Woods (Portland State)
Projected Bench: Taeshon Cherry, Marcus Bagley, Jaelen House, Chris Osten
2020 NBA Watch: Remy Martin (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Josh Christopher and Marcus Bagley will be one of the best first-year combos in all of college basketball.
4. Oregon
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Will Richardson
G Chris Duarte
G Amauri Hardy
F Eugene Omoruyi
C N’Faly Dante
Key Losses: Payton Pritchard, Anthony Mathis, Shakur Juiston
Key Newcomers: Jalen Terry, Eric Williams (Duquesne), Eugene Omoruyi (Rutgers), Amauri Hardy (UNLV), LJ Figueroa (St. John’s)
Sit Out Transfers: LJ Figueroa (St. John’s)
Projected Bench: Jalen Terry, Eric Williams, Chandler Lawson, Addison Patterson, Lok Wur
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: Dana Altman’s squad will have less sizzle than the past few years, but potentially more steak.
5. Arizona
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Brandon Williams
G James Akinjo
G Jemarl Baker
F Ira Lee
C Jordan Brown
Key Losses: Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji, Dylan Smith, Max Hazzard, Stone Gettings, Chase Jeter
Key Newcomers: James Akinjo (Georgetown), Jordan Brown (Nevada), Dalen Terry, Terrell Brown (Seattle), Ben Mathurin, Kerr Kriisa, Tibet Gorener, Azuolas Tubelis
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Dalen Terry, Christian Koloko, Terrell Brown, Ben Mathurin, Kerr Kriisa, Tibet Gorener, Azuolas Tubelis
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: Nevada transfer Jordan Brown should emerge as one of the top front court players in the Pac-12.
6. USC
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Ethan Anderson
G Noah Baumann
F Max Agbonkpolo
F Isaiah Mobley
C Evan Mobley
Key Losses: Jonah Mathews, Onyeka Okongwu, Quinton Adlesh, Daniel Utomi, Nick Rakocevic, Elijah Weaver, Kyle Sturdivant
Key Newcomers: Evan Mobley, Noah Baumann (San Jose State), Tahj Eaddy (Santa Clara), Isaiah White (Utah Valley), Chevez Goodwin (Wofford), Boubacar Coulibaly
Sit Out Transfers: Joshua Morgan (Long Beach State), Drew Peterson (Rice)
Projected Bench: Tahj Eaddy, Chevez Goodwin, Isaiah White, Boubacar Coulibaly
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: The Trojans are solid at point guard and up front, but who makes shots?
7. Colorado
Projected Starting Lineup:
G McKinley Wright
G Maddox Daniels
F D’Shawn Schwartz
F Jeriah Horne
C Evan Battey
Key Losses: Tyler Bey, Shane Gatling
Key Newcomers: Dominique Clifford, Jeriah Horne (Tulsa), Luke O’Brien, Jabari Walker, Tristan da Silva
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Eli Parquet, Dallas Walton, Dominique Clifford, Luke O’Brien, Jabari Walker, Tristan da Silva, Keeshawn Barthelemy
2020 NBA Watch: McKinley Wright (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Tad Boyle will have an NCAA Tournament contender as long as Wright returns for his senior season.
8. Utah
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Rylan Jones
G Alfonso Plummer
G Ian Martinez
F Timmy Allen
C Brandon Carlson
Key Losses: Both Gach, Matt Van Komen
Key Newcomers: Ian Martinez, Pelle Larson, Mason Falslev
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Riley Battin, Mikael Jantunen, Jaxon Brenchley, Pelle Larson, Mason Falslev, Lahat Thioune
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: The Utes return six different players who averaged 6.7 points or more last season.
9. Washington
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Quade Green
G Jamal Bey
F Naz Carter
F Hameir Wright
C Nate Roberts
Key Losses: Isaiah Stewart, Jaden McDaniels, Bryan Penn-Johnson
Key Newcomers: J’Raan Brooks (USC)
Sit Out Transfers: Cole Bajema (Michigan), Erik Stevenson (Wichita State)
Projected Bench: Marcus Tsohonis, RaeQuan Battle, J’Raan Brooks
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: Mike Hopkins has significantly less talent than he did last season, but could have a more cohesive team.
10. Washington State
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Isaac Bonton
G Noah Williams
F CJ Elleby
F Tony Miller
C Volodymyr Markovetskyy
Key Losses: Jeff Pollard, Jervae Robinson
Key Newcomers: Dishon Jackson, TJ Bamba, Efe Abogidi, Jefferson Koulibaly
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: DJ Rodman, Dishon Jackson, TJ Bamba, Efe Abogidi, Jefferson Koulibaly, Aljaz Kunc, Ryan Rapp
2020 NBA Watch: CJ Elleby (Will go through the NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: Isaac Bonton is one of the best kept secrets on the West Coast.
11. Cal
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Makale Foreman
G Ryan Betley
G Matt Bradley
F Andre Kelly
F Grant Anticevich
Key Losses: Kareem South, Paris Austin
Key Newcomers: Monty Bowser, Jalen Celestine, Ryan Betley (Penn), Makale Foreman (Stony Brook)
Sit Out Transfers: Jared Hyder (Fresno State)
Projected Bench: Joel Brown, Kuany Kuany, Lars Thiemann, Dimitros Klonaras, Monty Bowser, Jalen Celestine
2020 NBA Watch: None
The Skinny: Mark Fox needs major mileage out of both Foreman and Betley as grad transfers.
12. Oregon State
Projected Starting Lineup:
G Ethan Thompson
G Gianni Hunt
G Zach Reichle
F Alfred Hollins
C Roman Silva
Key Losses: Tres Tinkle, Kylor Kelley
Key Newcomers: Rodrique Andela (JUCO), Tariq Silver (JUCO), Isaiah Johnson, DaShawn Davis (JUCO)
Sit Out Transfers: Warith Alatishe (Nicholls)
Projected Bench: Jarod Lucas, Dearon Tucker, Payton Dastrup, Rodrique Andela, Tariq Silver, Isaiah Johnson, Julien Franklin, DaShawn Davis
2020 NBA Watch: Ethan Thompson (Oregon State)
The Skinny: The post-Tres Tinkle era has officially begun in Corvallis.
