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For the last few years, there's been one rule: If you want the Pac-12 title, you've got to go through Tucson.
That axiom will be tested this year.
The conference is deep at the top, with no clear standout contender. While Arizona (12), Cal (14) and Utah (16) are all ranked in the preseason poll, it's all guesswork at this point. Only three of the all-conference first team honorees return in a league that's very much open to interpretation.
"This season more than any in recent years, there's a group of teams that can win the regular season championship," Arizona coach Sean Miller said last month. "I think that's fairly obvious, starting with the number of key players that we've lost."
In all the Wildcats lose four starters from their 34-4 team that was the class of the conference and a Pac-12 champ for the second straight year (three times in five years). They'll have seniors in Kaleb Tarczewski and Gabe York, and they'll have a promising class of newcomers led by Allonzo Trier and Ryan Anderson.
But they'll have a lot of teams nipping at their heels.
Perhaps the most intriguing team is Cal: An 18-15 squad last year, Cuonzo Martin brought his top guard back while reeling in one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Between do-it-all point guard Tyrone Wallace and super freshman Jaylen Brown, the Golden Bears have a lot of basketball analysts buzzing — ESPN's Andy Katz picked them to make the Final Four.
"We have a lot of good pieces on our team," Wallace said. "I think it's about how well we come together, so we just try to take every day and work hard, and then we'll be ready for battle when it comes."
Others in the "contender" group include the Utes, who bring back almost everyone except Delon Wright. But they'll also be pushed by UCLA, which went to the Sweet 16 last year, Oregon, which developed quickly late last year, and Oregon State, which adds a lot of talent to a program that surprised last season.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Tribune Power Rankings: The Pac-12
1. Arizona • The Wildcats bring back Kaleb Tarczewski, a number of role players from the Elite Eight run, and a highly touted recruiting class that includes Boston College standout Ryan Anderson.
2. Utah • The Utes could have more consistent scoring than they did last year, if Jakob Poeltl steps up and Lorenzo Bonam can attack the rim. Defensively, the Utes will miss the center depth they had last year, but can make up for it on the glass?
3. Oregon • Addition by subtraction? Without Joe Young, the Ducks may be able to spread the ball around more. Dillon Brooks was quietly a stellar freshman last year, and Jordan Bell is one of the top defensive players.
4. Cal • Jaylen Brown could be this year's Stanley Johnson: athletic, versatile and scary all-around. You add that to a team that has good backcourt talent in Tyrone Wallace, you have a squad many analysts think could win the conference.
5. UCLA • It seems people have forgotten that these guys have gone to back-to-back Sweet 16s. With Tony Parker and Thomas Welsh, they could have a competitive front court to go with proven guards.
6. Oregon State • They had a phenomenal midseason run based on pace and defense last season. It will be interesting to see what Wayne Tinkle can do when he adds a number of top recruits to the mix, including his own son. Gary Payton II is a leading preseason Pac-12 player of the year candidate.
7. Colorado • Tad Boyle told the media last month "everybody forgot about us." The Buffaloes hope to charge back into the fray with a healthy Josh Scott, who is capable of being one of the conference's best players. Dominique Collier and Wesley Gordon really need to step up.
8. Stanford • After graduating their three top-producing seniors, Stanford has some questions to answer, especially in the back court where Marcus Allen is out with injury. Rosco Allen and Reid Travis will at least give some punch in the paint.
9. USC • The Trojans need their front court to produce more and their back court to jack up fewer shots. USC has two solid big men recruits coming in to augment Nikola Jovanovic up front. Katin Reinhardt is a wild card who can help or hurt.
10. Washington • So many players transferred out last season, it's hard to know what the Huskies have. Andrew Andrews is the only big name returning, a sharp-shooter who will now play some point guard.
11. Arizona State • Bobby Hurley could bring much-needed energy to this program, but he won't have a lot of guys to do it: ASU has nine eligible, healthy scholarship players.
12. Washington State • The Cougars have a legitimate double-double guy in Josh Hawkinson back, and guard Ike Iroegbu. But mostly this is a start-from scratch kind of team.
— Kyle Goon