Best Option: Arizona State +265
It may come as a surprise to some that Arizona State holds the second-best odds to take down the Pac-12 title, but this team would be a hands-down favorite if they had “UCLA” printed on their jerseys. The Sun Devils boast talent throughout their roster and possess one of the best backcourts in the nation, led by Pac-12 Preseason Player of the Year front-runner Remy Martin. The talented senior guard averaged 19.1 PPG last season and is surrounded by scoring options. One of them is fellow senior guard Alonzo Verge Jr., who posted 14.6 PPG after starting only nine games.
The experienced guards will combine with young talent, as the Sun Devils bring in five-star recruit Joshua Christopher and four-star recruit Marcus Bagley, a force to be reckoned with who will provide solid depth. When this team is firing on all cylinders, they are a walking highlight reel. Fireworks will fly for Arizona State this year, and their backcourt and depth is enough to launch them atop the Pac-12 standings.
Best Value: Oregon +430
The loss of Payton Pritchard is impactful, but this Ducks team is still dangerous. Maybe the best player in the Pac-12 no one knows about, junior guard Will Richardson is set to fill the void left by Prichard. He may not be as exceptional of a scorer, but Richardson is a creative playmaker who elevates his teammates. These teammates include Chris Duarte, Rutgers transfer Eugene Omoruyi, and Duquesne transfer Eric Williams, who all offer versatility on the court.
Former top-100 recruits N’Faly Dante (5-star), Addison Patterson (4-star), and Chandler Lawson (4-star) should take big steps in their sophomore seasons, providing Oregon with a plethora of options. Do not be surprised to see Oregon leading the way in the Pac-12 come early March.
Darkhorse: Utah +3000
Utah was the third-youngest team in all of college basketball last season. Yet the Utes showed what they were capable of in wins over KenPom top-30 teams BYU and Kentucky. Returning four of five starters from last year, Utah is poised to take a step forward and become a more consistent team.
Junior forward Timmy Allen notched 17.3 PPG, and senior guard Alfonso Plummer is set to take over a starting role after shooting 42% from beyond the arc last year. This continuity is a big advantage for Utah, especially with the pandemic making it significantly more difficult for new players to become acclimated to their respective teams this season. Utah is filled with young talent ready to enter the season more developed than a year ago. If they stay consistent and take a step forward on defense, the Utes can absolutely contend in the Pac-12 this season.
