Who will challenge UCLA best for the Pac-12 basketball crown?

Eli Boettger: Arizona is the safest bet. Lauri Markkanen is one of the best forwards in the country and I really think we will see this team gel as the season progresses. Whether or not Allonzo Trier returns is a mystery, but it is a positive sign that he is still traveling with the team. This team is still hardly at full strength with Trier and Jackson-Cartwright out, so we should see a very dangerous Wildcats squad come March. If 'Zona does happen to struggle in conference play, however, I can't envision a top 5 seed. The best two non-conference victories (Michigan St and Texas A&M) are both bubble teams at this point.

Nico Gervasoni: If Chris Boucher stays healthy, Oregon becomes really scary. They are so athletic and have too much talent and too good of a coach in Dana Altman to not contend after a slow start.

I'm also curious about USC. They've skated by in their noncon with some close games, but they have a solid roster that is also athletic and will get better if Bennie Boatwright returns in a timely fashion

Taylor Henry: I'm gonna say Arizona. Oregon hasn't impressed me a lot, and year in and year out Arizona is there at the end. Coach Miller is phenomenal, and they always figure it out come conference time.

Simeon Moses: USC will not challenge UCLA. They played a weak non-conference schedule. Arizona definitely looks like the best shot at bringing the Bruins down. Oregon is definitely 2nd in line. No one else in Pac-12 will "challenge" them though I am sure UCLA will lose 1 or 2 games to teams they should beat (like a Stanford or Colorado).