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By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The school basketball season is formally in full swing.
The Huge 12 is having an elite yr, whereas the Mountain West is reeling from an unsightly nonconference season.
On the identical time, the WCC is constant, and the Huge Ten is at all times revered.
So how do the groups within the West all stack up?
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 Faculty Basketball Groups within the West.
1. Arizona (20-0, 7-0)
The Wildcats are on the point of one of the best begin in program historical past.
Heading to Provo with a 20-0 document, Arizona can match its finest begin to a season with a victory over BYU.
Tommy Lloyd’s crew is flexible and may overcome poor video games from key gamers.
2. BYU (17-2, 5-1)
Tright here will not be a greater trio of gamers within the nation than AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Robert Wright III.
BYU is among the many prime groups within the nation and may make a deep run in March.
There are nonetheless plenty of video games left to be performed. But, a visit to the Elite 8 feels inside attain.
3. Gonzaga (21-1, 9-0)
The Zags are coping with harm points.
Star ahead Braden Huff is out for an prolonged interval, and massive man Graham Ike has missed the previous few video games.
The excellent news: It’s solely January. With two months remaining to get wholesome, there are nonetheless causes to be bullish on Gonzaga.
4. Saint Mary’s (19-3, 8-1)
Consistency. That’s the definition of Saint Mary’s basketball underneath Randy Bennett. You at all times know what you’re going to get.
This yr, the Gaels are as soon as once more in place to make the NCAA Event and advance to the Spherical of 32.
The query is: Can Saint Mary’s lastly get out of the primary weekend?
5. UCLA (14-6, 6-3)
The win over Purdue modified the dynamic of UCLA’s season. The crew was floundering all yr and falling in need of expectations.
Taking down the Boilermakers modified the image. How the Bruins end the season will stay important.
Nonetheless, it’s simpler to neglect about unhealthy losses with a resume win over some of the revered groups in school basketball.
6. San Diego State (14-5, 8-1)
The Mountain West had a horrible nonconference season that may restrict the variety of bids it will get.
However San Diego State at the moment sits on the prime of the standings and holds a one-game benefit over Utah State and New Mexico.
Joe Lunardi is at the moment projecting simply two at-large bids from the MWC, placing SDSU squarely on the bubble.
7. California (15-5, 3-4)
The Bears have their finest crew in years.
House owners of a nonconference victory over UCLA and a good win over North Carolina, this system is in rivalry to make the NCAA Event for the primary time since 2016.
Mark Madsen’s crew wants one or two extra marquee wins to safe their spot.
8. New Mexico (16-4, 7-2)
Eric Olen is exceeding expectations in his first season at New Mexico.
The losses to Boise State and New Mexico State are questionable. However the victories over Santa Clara, GCU, VCU, and Mississippi State are strong.
The Lobos are actually on the Bubble and could be one of many Final 4 In if the Choice Present had been held in the present day.
9. USC (15-5, 4-5)
Other than the loss to Northwestern, USC’s resume seems robust sufficient to make the NCAA Event.
Beating Wisconsin on the highway was an important win and taking down Seton Corridor within the nonconference helps.
It at all times makes a distinction to play in a revered energy convention just like the Huge Ten, too.
10. Utah State (16-3, 7-2)
The Aggies don’t have any resume-defining wins. That’s not a superb signal with March proper across the nook.
This system does maintain some clout with the NCAA Choice Committee, which in all probability explains why Joe Lunardi is projecting Utah State within the area.
However there’s plenty of work left to be achieved, and Utah State would possibly find yourself on the skin wanting in.
Simply Missed: Santa Clara, Stanford
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Method 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
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