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Ahead of Utah's Dec. 23 game against UNLV, the Utes' coaching staff was out on the MGM Grand Garden Arena floor for another reason: scouting.
They had their eyes on Washington, which was in the process of an eventual 69-67 win over then-No. 15 Oklahoma. Picked to finish sixth in the Pac-12 in a preseason poll, the Huskies are now the only undefeated team entering conference play next week.
That night, the Huskies didn't look like the sixth-place team.
That's the league this year: deep, gritty and surging in unexpected places.
Arizona may not be quite as great as the preseason rumblings made it out to be after a humbling loss to UNLV, meaning that there could be clamoring at the top of the Pac-12 in the title race.
After his Utes went 2-7 on the road in conference play last year, coach Larry Krystkowiak said he made it a focus of Utah's nonconference schedule this season.
"I was worried on maintaining our focus during road games last season," he said. "We have now played in some raucous road environments and I hope we can lean on that experience later."
It's not just the road environments, either: After a couple of so-so years, the Pac-12 appears to be the unquestioned best basketball conference in the West again, highlighted by the Wildcats' win over Gonzaga.
A lot of Pac-12 teams move the ball well, with nine ranking in the top 100 in assists per game. Eight Pac-12 teams rank in the top 90 in field-goal percentage defense, including Washington, Oregon State and Utah in the top 16. The Pac-12 has many of the nation's top shot blockers and rebounders, from Washington's Robert Upshaw to UCLA's Kevon Looney.
It looks to be a physical, competitive league. Arizona may not be flawless anymore, but the Wildcats are looking to fend off the Huskies and the Utes from usurping the throne with NBA-quality talent. And while teams like Colorado and Stanford have had some early season stumbles, they still have the talent to knock off the Pac-12's best.
The Utes know they're expected to rise to the top of the league after lingering in the bottom half since Krystkowiak took on the job.
But they've also been keeping keen eyes out around the conference, and they know to expect the unexpected.
Twitter: @kylegoon 1. Arizona (12-1)
The Wildcats were looking like a titan before last week's surprising loss to the Runnin' Rebels. They have arguably the most athletic roster this side of Kentucky, with stars like Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brandon Ashley. They also have the highest shooting percentage in the league despite playing a tough nonconference schedule.
Nonconference MVP • Freshman Stanley Johnson leads the team in scoring and rebounding while also leading the Wildcats in highlight-reel plays.
Best win • Gonzaga
Worst loss • at UNLV
2. Washington (11-0)
Up until the Huskies beat Oklahoma, there was some question if they could survive against a truly talented opponent. The key has been defense: Robert Upshaw's 4.2 blocks per game lead the country, and he and fellow big Shawn Kemp Jr. are able to draw attention away from star guard Nigel Williams-Goss on offense.
Nonconference MVP • Nigel Williams-Goss
Best win • Oklahoma, neutral court
Worst loss • N/A
3. Utah (9-2)
Delon Wright leads the league in efficiency and is near the top of several categories, but defense is the star. Only two of Utah's opponents have achieved a better shooting percentage than the Utes this year, and both won. Free throws and late-game execution are still issues that linger.
Nonconference MVP • Delon Wright
Best win • Wichita State
Worst loss • at San Diego State
4. Stanford (7-3)
A win over Texas in overtime shows just how good the Cardinal can be. A loss to DePaul shows how hard they can flop. That pretty much characterizes the program in the last few years. Chasson Randle is a volume shooter, but when he takes a starring role, like he did against the Longhorns, Stanford is often successful.
Nonconference MVP • Chasson Randle
Best win • at Texas
Worst loss • at DePaul
5. UCLA (8-4)
All the losses have come against very good teams. But drubbings like the 83-44 loss to Kentucky speak volumes about how far below that tier UCLA really is. They're talented but still figuring things out, especially on offense. Kevon Looney's and Norman Powell will have to be more efficient to help the Bruins grow up.
Nonconference MVP • Bryce Alford
Best win • San Diego
Worst loss • Oklahoma, neutral court
6. Cal (10-2)
Cuonzo Martin has already made a big impression: This team's only losses are to top 10 teams Texas and Wisconsin. The Golden Bears defend well and have been great on the defensive glass (No. 5 by percentage on KenPom.com). If Tyrone Wallace continues playing at his current high level, they'll be a threat to make big moves.
Nonconference MVP • Tyrone Wallace
Best win • Syracuse, neutral court
Worst loss • Texas, neutral court
7. Colorado (7-5)
There are least three very gifted players on this team in Askia Booker, Xavier Johnson and Josh Scott, but the Buffs don't play well away from their home arena. Colorado is 7-1 at home, and 1-4 at neutral or road sites. Predicted to be one of the tougher teams in the Pac-12, the Buffaloes have yet to beat anyone of note.
Nonconference MVP • Josh Scott
Best win • Auburn
Worst loss • at Hawaii
8. Arizona State (7-5)
The Sun Devils have specialized in heartbreakers: a 5-point loss to Maryland, a 1-point loss to Texas A&M, then getting embarrassed by Lehigh by 3 points at home. Led by big man Eric Jacobsen (68.8 FG percentage) ASU shoots well, but turns it over. Recently eligible Savon Goodman may give them a huge lift.
Nonconference MVP • Eric Jacobsen
Best win • at UNLV
Worst loss • Lehigh
9. Oregon (9-3)
For losing huge chunks of the team in the offseason, you could say the Ducks are doing OK, winning the games they've been expected to win. Oregon is always dangerous offensively with its high-tempo attack, and Joseph Young is cashing in on his potential with a league-high 20.3 ppg.
Nonconference MVP • Joseph Young
Best win • Illinois, neutral court
Worst loss • Michigan, neutral court
10. USC (7-4)
The biggest problem for USC is it can't hit shots. The Trojans trail everyone but Washington State in field goal percentage, and they struggle in the paint. Big man Nikola Jovanovic is getting more involved, which has helped. Backcourt mates Katin Reinhardt and Jordan McLaughlin are working on playing better together.
Nonconference MVP • Jordan McLaughlin
Best win • at New Mexico
Worst loss • Portland State
11. Oregon State (8-3)
Wayne Tinkle has the Beavers playing hard, if not great. They muck up opponents by slowing things down, then playing rigorous defense. A soft schedule has helped them out, too. SLCC alum Gary Payton II has reminded Beavs fans of the original "Glove" with 2.9 steals per game while leading in points and rebounds.
Nonconference MVP • Gary Payton II
Best win • at Portland
Worst loss • at Quinnipiac
12. Washington State (5-6)
They've played a hard schedule, but the Cougars haven't really come close to knocking off a big boy and have lost some ugly ones too. The defense leaks like a sieve, especially beyond the 3-point line. Outside of Davonte Lacy and Josh Hawkinson, the team struggles to score.
Nonconference MVP • Josh Hawkinson
Best win • Missouri State, neutral court
Worst loss • Idaho