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Arizona Basketball 2016-2017 Pac-12 Season Predictions

By Mark Barrera

Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; An Arizona Wildcats poses for a picture during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; An Arizona Wildcats poses for a picture during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Basketball team has been picked by the media in the pre-season to win the Pac-12 for four years in a row. With the rest of the conference starting to catch up, the Wildcats were finally dethroned.

It was getting comfortable being on top. For four years Sean Miller and his Wildcats reigned above the rest when it came to preseason favorites. But when other schools begin to catch up in recruiting, the question was how long Arizona could hold the top spot.

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The run as preseason Pac-12 favorites ended this year with Oregon dethroning the Wildcats. As Zona Zealots previously covered, Arizona came in at number two, followed by UCLA at three, and Cal at four.

It only  makes sense for Oregon to be the preseason favorite. They beat Arizona twice last year, won the Pac-12 regular season title, were conference tournament champions, rewarded with a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and made it to the Elite Eight.

It also helps when you return several key contributors to last year’s success. The Ducks were thrilled when it was finalized that Dillon Brooks, Tyler Dorsey, Jordan Bell and Chris Boucher would be returning.

Jan 16, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen (5) shoots the ball as Washington State Cougars guard Renard Suggs (1) defends during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 90-66. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen (5) shoots the ball as Washington State Cougars guard Renard Suggs (1) defends during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 90-66. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

With Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Kadeem Allen, Dusan Ristic, Chance Comanche and Allonzo Trier all having significant experience last year, the Wildcats return strong and seasoned talent.

When you mix in incoming freshmen Rawle Alkins, Kobi Simmons, Lauri Markannen, transfer Keanu Pinder, plus a healthy Ray Smith, this year’s team has a very good chance at being better than last year.

So being picked to finish second in the conference is just fine. I think we all expected Oregon to be at the top. The outcome of this season, and how good it could be, does rely heavily on whether rumors are just that, rumors or they speak truth.

The preseason talk coming into the season was highlighting a very talented recruiting class. But a couple of weeks ago, around team photo day, the Twitterverse began to whisper about Allonzo Trier and his eligibility.

January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (11) shoots against UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (11) shoots against UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Kadeem Allen replaced Trier at the Pac-12 media days. The rumors picked up more steam with some reports saying Trier’s not in the starting five for tonight’s exhibition game.

Sean Miller and the University have stood firmly in not commenting on anything. This makes sense and shouldn’t surprise anyone. But we can’t ignore the fact of how much Trier means to this team’s success.

So Zona Zealots set out to see what you, the fans, predict will be the outcome once the regular season is finished. As expected, most of you weren’t sure how to vote with the rumors on Trier. So we asked everyone to vote as if Trier is playing this season. And the results are in…

With 52 percent of the votes, Zona Zealots followers voted the Wildcats would finish the Pac-12 regular season as champs, as well as bring the tournament title back to Tucson!

Trier absolutely makes this team better. Aside from Trier, I’m looking for to the development of Chance Comanche and Ray Smith. Miller mentioned the huge difference with Chance from last year until now. We’ve all seen the physical transformation. If you don’t recall, Chance came to Tucson at about 195 lbs. He has since put on a lot of muscle and is around 225 pounds.

https://twitter.com/comanche2414/status/788069339664556032

Ray Smith full strength is going to be a problem for teams. No one has seen Smith play a full contact game for two years (let’s not count the Red/Blue scrimmage). The only ones who have been able to see Smith are his coaches and teammates. And from what they’re saying, the Pac-12 better look out.

If I’m looking at things outside of being raised a Wildcat, I think we’ll finish second in the regular season, but come out on top after the Pac-12 tournament. This team is going to hit its stride down the stretch, just in time for the Pac-12 tournament and NCAA tournament.

Next: Stanford loss Stings Wildcats Because They Care

The competition at the top should make for one of the most exciting Pac-12 seasons in a couple of years. Spots 1-4 could regularly interchange throughout the season. All that matters is who is sitting on top once the regular season ends. So don’t get comfortable just yet Ducks. The Wildcats are coming for the crown. And it all starts tonight with Arizona taking on the College of Idaho at 7:30 p.m. On the PAC-12 channel! BEARDOWN!

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