NCAAW Pac-12 preview: Can anybody cease Stanford Cardinal?

We proceed our convention preview sequence with the Pac-12. For the Pac-12, we slotted the groups into tiers and broke down what every tier means and what groups to observe in every tier. This tier system was created utilizing the preseason coaches ballot.

In a category by themselves, the Cardinal are the cream of the crop within the Pac-12, and, with Haley Jones and Cameron Brink returning, there is not any cause to suppose they will not be dominant once more. Successful the convention is step one on the street to the Closing 4. Whereas Stanford is favored to take action once more, it’s going to doubtless be dealing with stiffer competitors than it had final 12 months when it went undefeated within the Pac-12.

Regardless of the dominance Stanford has displayed, a few groups are able to take a shot on the crown. Oregon and Arizona are attention-grabbing particularly. The coaches ballot has Oregon forward of Arizona, however within the AP ballot they’re flipped. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see that battle later within the season. Can Oregon take a step ahead with Te-Hina Paopao taking a leap? Will Arizona get a wholesome Cate Reese all season and might fifth-year senior Jade Loville assist gasoline the offense? The highest may be settled earlier than we begin, however the race for second shall be eventful.

UCLA is simply beneath these three groups, and for an excellent cause. The Bruins are again on the rise with Charisma Osborne main the best way. She averaged 16.4 factors, 5.1 rebounds and three.9 assists final season and the Bruins completed 8-8 within the Pac-12. That is unlikely to be ok to put fourth, so progress should occur.

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament - First Round - Arizona — Cate Reese

That is the center of the pack. Numerous amount, first rate high quality. Will they be contending for the convention title? No, however the video games shall be aggressive, and they are going to be powerful outs within the convention tourney. I am very curious to see how the Oregon State Beavers look this season. They’ve quite a lot of turnover and their prime expertise from final season was freshman guard Talia von Oelhoffen, who needs to be even higher in her sophomore marketing campaign. Colorado options final season’s Pac-12 Sixth Ladies of the 12 months, Quay Miller, and Washington State may have Charlisse Leger-Walker commanding the offense and taking the Cougars so far as she will.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 18 Women’s - Stanford at Oregon State — Talia Von Oelhoffen (with ball)

USC and Washington are the best within the group, which is stunning, with Washington solely getting two convention wins and USC not fairing a lot better with simply 5 convention victories in 2021-22. Cal and Arizona State will deal with getting a handful of convention wins and growing their expertise for future seasons.