You scare me OMT. I think the Pac 10 is miles ahead of where it was last year and has a lot of talent. Am I that getting the wrong impression that badly? Lots of other more complete teams out there with a better all-around balance, but UW and U of A are so loaded with athletes and quality versatile PG play that I think both can be threats to get to the Final Four with the right draw. Both teams only weakness would be to face a loaded front court, but in colleges today there are rather few squads that fit that bill.
WildBill:
While it is true that Washington and Arizona have great athletes and Arizona State to some degree as well, the conference in general is mediocre in my opinion. Cal and Stanford are shadows of last year's teams. UCLA and USC have already showed themselves to be inconsistent in conference. Oregon and Oregon State are average at best and Washington State is weak. The top two teams while possessing talent, lack the ability to consistently protect the ball and will be exposed when they face teams that are disciplined in the tournament. Just my opinion, but believe the best either of the top two teams achieve is the Elite 8, but truly don't believe either team gets that far unless the match-ups really play out well to their favor.
While it is true that Washington and Arizona have great athletes and Arizona State to some degree as well, the conference in general is mediocre in my opinion. Cal and Stanford are shadows of last year's teams. UCLA and USC have already showed themselves to be inconsistent in conference. Oregon and Oregon State are average at best and Washington State is weak. The top two teams while possessing talent, lack the ability to consistently protect the ball and will be exposed when they face teams that are disciplined in the tournament. Just my opinion, but believe the best either of the top two teams achieve is the Elite 8, but truly don't believe either team gets that far unless the match-ups really play out well to their favor.
Illini:
Yes I have downgraded them at the moment as they are not playing at the same level as they were when beating Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State. Since those games, the Zags have gone 3-3, although losing to St.Mary's was not unexpected and Missouri caught them after their big wins. But losing to USF while trailing most of the game indicates to me that they are perhaps a bit fatigued from their pre-conference schedule. That being said, come tournament time this team has the talent to raise to the level of the top tier teams and if they get a favorable seeding, can still do damage in the tournament.
Yes I have downgraded them at the moment as they are not playing at the same level as they were when beating Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State. Since those games, the Zags have gone 3-3, although losing to St.Mary's was not unexpected and Missouri caught them after their big wins. But losing to USF while trailing most of the game indicates to me that they are perhaps a bit fatigued from their pre-conference schedule. That being said, come tournament time this team has the talent to raise to the level of the top tier teams and if they get a favorable seeding, can still do damage in the tournament.
