NCAAB

College Basketball Preview: Pac 12's Arizona Loaded for Final Four Run

Arizona is one of the most complete teams in the country this year, but can it avoid the looming threat of legal woes?

After being named as one of the teams in the FBI's investigation of college basketball programs and shoe companies working to offer payments to high school recruits, Arizona can't help but feel that there is a giant dark cloud hanging over what many dubbed by many to be "their year."

With UCLA and Oregon presumably taking a step backwards this year after some key departures, Arizona is the odds-on favorite to win the Pac 12 this year, and the Wildcats are a popular pick to get coach Sean Miller to his first Final Four. Of course, that assumes that Arizona can avoid any further ramifications until after, say, March or April of 2018.

The rest of the conference, meanwhile, could be looking to play catch-up all year. While each of last year's Pac 12 NCAA Tournament teams could return (the aforementioned Arizona, UCLA, Oregon, along with USC), it would be a bit of a surprise if anyone from outside that group represents the conference in the Big Dance this season.