We waited all these many months for opening weekend of the college basketball season and we’re rewarded with… Mount St. Mary’s at Arizona, Montana State at UCLA, and South Dakota at Stanford? Well, no matter, I’m still excited. Below we’ll take a look at some things to keep an eye on as all of the Pac-12 teams tip off their seasons this weekend.
- Arizona: vs. Mount Saint Mary’s on Friday, vs. Cal State Northridge on Sunday (both on Pac-12 Networks): The Wildcats shouldn’t be challenged in either contest (although CSUN at least has some interesting athletes, including Landon Drew, brother of former UCLA point guard Larry Drew II), but that’s no reason not to tune in to see just how Sean Miller intends to pour all of his talent on to the court at the same time. Plus, the over/under on thunderous dunks from the duo of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson is set at 10 for the weekend.
- Arizona State: vs. Chicago State on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): Do you have the scouting report on Tra Holder, Willie Atwood and Roosevelt Scott down pat? No? Me neither, which is why I’ll be making sure to get a peak at the Sun Devils this weekend to see how Herb Sendek folds in the new talent with veterans like Shaquielle McKissic and Jonathan Gilling.
- California: vs. Alcorn State on Friday, vs. Kennesaw State on Sunday (both on Pac-12 Networks): The Golden Bears should get through this weekend just fine and be undefeated when they face Syracuse in the 2K Classic next Thursday. Tune in this weekend to check out Cal’s high-flying wings in Cuonzo Martin‘s system and learn how Sam Singer is coming along at the point.
- Colorado: vs. Drexel on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): Poor Drexel. If it wasn’t for injuries on a regular basis, Bruiser Flint and the Dragons might have something going. But as usual, Drexel will be without a key player all year long as starting point guard Major Canady is out for the year, leaving a true freshman in charge of the team. The Dragons will give the Buffaloes a physical battle and this should be one of the more competitive games of the weekend, but Colorado should have too much for its opponent.
- Oregon: vs. Coppin State on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): Watching the Ducks, you’ll get introduced to newcomers like Jordan Bell, Dwayne Benjamin and Dillon Brooks, guys who will be thrust into major roles immediately in the wake of an almost complete roster makeover. Plus, anytime you watch the Ducks this year, there is at least a small chance that Joseph Young could go for 40.
- Oregon State: vs. Rice on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): If there is a team in the nation in worse shape than the Beavers, it may be the Owls. They lose seven players from last year’s 7-23 team and are implementing a new system under new head coach Mike Rhoades. There are seven games against Division I opponents in which Oregon State is favored by KenPom.com. This is one of those seven games. Go get ’em, Beavs.
- Stanford: vs. Wofford on Friday, vs. South Dakota on Sunday (both on Pac-12 Networks): Wofford has got a little bit of talent, returning four starters from a team that won 20 games last year and made the NCAA Tournament. But really, you’re watching these games to get a glimpse at that new Cardinal recruiting class headlined by Reid Travis and to see which of the role-playing returnees step into a bigger role this season.
- UCLA: vs. Montana State on Friday, vs. Coastal Carolina on Sunday (both on Pac-12 Networks): Kevon Looney and Isaac Hamilton make their collegiate debuts, while we keep a close eye on guys like Bryce Alford and Tony Parker to see if their effectiveness can continue in bigger roles without facilitator Kyle Anderson.
- USC: vs. Portland State on Saturday (Pac-12 Networks): If you get sick of watching college football on Saturday, the Trojans tip off at 7:30 PM that evening. The enticing backcourt of Jordan McLaughlin and Katin Reinhardt is the big draw here, but USC also has freshmen Elijah Stewart, Malik Marquetti and Malik Martin worth keeping an eye on, along with sophomores Julian Jacobs and Nikola Jovanovic who could be due for improvement.
- Utah: vs. Ball State on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): Honestly, of all the games Pac-12 teams play this weekend, this may be the one most worth skipping. It isn’t because Utah isn’t very much worth watching – they are. But with the Utes scheduled to make a trip to San Diego State on Tuesday, we’ll find out a whole lot about this team very soon. Against Ball State, Larry Krystkowiak may keep a trick or two in his bag.
- Washington: vs. South Carolina State on Friday (Pac-12 Networks): The Huskies have been known to lose to bad teams in non-conference play, but they couldn’t lose this one if they tried, could they? Jernard Jarreau coming back from a torn ACL and Robert Upshaw coming back from a transfer year are the big guys to keep an eye on here. Win, lose or draw, the Huskies get a week off following their opener.
- Washington State: at UTEP on Friday (No TV): The one conference game this weekend that you won’t find on TV. And, frankly, this is probably the game where the Pac-12 team has the best chance to lose. The Miners won 23 games last season and return four starters from that squad. The Cougars won 10 games, and do not. And, for what it’s worth, Tim Floyd went 7-2 against Ernie Kent over the four years that Floyd coached at USC while Kent was at Oregon.