Jon Wilner Predicts Oregon Will Win the Pac-12 Basketball Crown
College Sports writer Jon Wilner, author of the “College Hotline” for the San Jose Mercury News revised his prediction for the Pac-12 title and picked Oregon over Arizona to be on top.
I couldn’t resist, I had to write about Wilner’s new predictions as I had previously with Jason McKintyre’s early predictions.
After reading the post and investigating the author, the first thing that struck me was that Jon Wilner is mostly a football expert. The second thing I noticed was that he was already revising his “initial” prediction he posted early on where he has Arizona as No. 1.
Mar 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Dylan Ennis (31) dribbles the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at the CONSOL Energy Center. NC State won 71-68. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
His main reason for moving Arizona to the No. 2 slot instead of No. 1 and Oregon to No. 1 instead of No. 3 is that Oregon landed Villanova Wildcats transfer Dylan Ennis to replace Joseph Young.
Where did Villanova end up in the NCAA tournament? Oh yeah, they lost to Connecticut in second round, 77-65 in 2014, and lost in the third round to NC State in 2015. Not too shabby, but not earth shattering either. Oregon also lost in the second round in 2015 to Wisconsin 72-65. Arizona Lost to Wisconsin as well but in the Elite Eight.
Oregon is also bringing in NJCAA national player of the year Chris Boucher, a 6-foot-10, 200-pound forward with two years of eligibility remaining in his career (via OregonLive.com).
Mar 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen (20) during practice before the semifinal of the west regional at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s not forget that the No. 1 JUCO transfer from a year ago, Kadeem Allen committed to Arizona and has sat on Sean Millers bench all last season and through the NCAA tournament. Not saying its a wash, but I think Arizona has a slight leg up as far as JUCO transfers.
In addition Wilner cites another reason Oregon edges Arizona for next year, “And they have arguably the best coach in the conference in Dana Altman.”
[Clearing my throat] Who is the U19 USA Men’s basketball team Head Coach this year and who won the gold last year, who took his team to three Elite Eights in the last four years, who won the Pac-12 regular season championship three years in the last five years, hasn’t lost in 38 straight home games, and whose team beat the Oregon Ducks decisively in the Pac-12 tournament? Yes, Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller! The main reason that gives Arizona the leg up on all the other teams.
So my opinion is that Arizona should have remained on top in Wilner’s Pac-12 prediction. Arizona has the best coach in the Pac-12 and is filled with seasoned veterans including Seniors Kaleb Tarczewski and Gabe York among other returning players (Jackson-Cartwright, Pitts, Ristic, Hazzard, Mason). The Wildcats roster also includes RS Junior Kadeem Allen and RS Senior Ryan Anderson who have itched to formally play for the team and have learned all last year what is expected from them. In addition, transfer graduate and RS Senior Mark Tollefsen is looking forward to shooting three’s and showing us his seasoned skills .
Arizona Wildcats
Let’s not forget our four hungry incoming freshman including high scoring McDonald’s All-American Allonzo Trier who is tearing up in all the showcases across the country, Justin “The Mayor” Simon who can dribble and dunk with the best of them as well as commanding center Chance Comanche and Ray Smith with his freakish ability. So, Mr. Wilner, we may have lost four great players, but we also gained four great players as well.
Oregon has been a thorn in Arizona’s side, and they do have a good coach, I will admit that as well as the fact that I think they will end up in the top four in the Pac-12 as they have when they are at full stregnth.
I decided to ask a my fellow Sports Illustrated Fansided Editors and Writers what they thought, and here are their entertaining responses:
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman watches action against the Wisconsin Badgers in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Wisconsin defeated Oregon 72-65. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
“Yeah not sure how he thinks Oregon is 1. I could understand Cal jumping Arizona, but not Oregon. One player won’t cause that big of a jump. They’ll be good but nothing shows me they will be any different from the team Arizona stomped.” – Mark Barrera, Staff Writer ZonaZealots.com
“If USC is higher than 12th, they’re overrated. *checks* 8th?? That seems like wishful thinking.” – Editor, ReignOfTroy.com
“We destroyed Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship game this year. Let’s see if they are up to the challenge against us.” Ryan Reyes, Staff Writer ZonaZealots.com
“Dana Altman and his staff have certainly worked hard to recruit the quality of talent necessary to keep pace with reigning conference champion Arizona, as well as shift the balance of power in the Pac-12. Anything can happen in college sports, and that’s the beauty of it.
Whether Oregon can win a league title, once again become a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament, or contend for a 1-seed, like Arizona almost always does, remains to be seen. Whatever the outcome, it sure will be an exciting 2015-16 men’s basketball season.” Ahsan Awan (@Quackarazzi ), American Presswire
“I don’t understand how Oregon gets that good with one player, offense a question against one the best Defensive teams in Pac-12? Plus we return plenty of players that had playing time last season I don’t understand how it’s Oregon and not Cal jumping Arizona, I mean we beat them easy last season and they lost arguably the best player in Pac-12 so how is this guy suppose to replace that?” – Miguel Gonzalez, Staff Writer ZonaZealots.com
“Oregon is definitely going to be a force to reckon with this year. The race for the top spot will be one for the ages.” – Nima Movassaghi, Staff Writer AutzenZoo.com
The prediction?
- Oregon
- Arizona
- Cal
- Utah
- UCLA
- Oregon State
- Colorado
- USC
- Stanford
- Washington
- Arizona State
- Washington state
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Wilner’s last words on the subject? “Bottom line for the Pac-12 next season: It doesn’t appear to have any elite teams … no on-paper Final Four contenders … but there’s more quality depth than at any point since the late 2000s.”
I think a number of Pac-12 teams and coaches would disagree with you Mr. Wilner, and shame on you for living in and reporting on the West Coast and following East Coast Sports Media’s lead by not giving the Pac-12 much credit.
Stanford Coach Johnny Dawkins read Wilner’s predictions online and commented about the writers disparaging remarks against the coach in the post:
“Dear sir, I object to your ranking with extreme disgust and anger. Stanford University’s mens basketball program will not finish below sixth in the Pacific 12 conference standings. How dare you peg us that low or even suggest it! [..] Stanford basketball will be victorious in the ’15-’16 season and I will ride out the remaining 6 years on my contract.”
Whoa! I would love to know what our Coach Sean Miller would say if given the chance.
Beardown Arizona!
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