By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
Call me crazy.
The men’s hoops rosters haven’t all been finalized.
The season outlooks remain fuzzy.
But I’m always ready to preach.
So here it is—your Way-Too-Early Power Ranking for Basketball Teams in the West.
1. Arizona
Tommy Lloyd is the man. There will be no more slander.
2. USC
L.A. plus money. Who says no? Eric Musselman is cooking.
3. Oregon
Dana Altman is building. Never doubt a legend. Always trust Oregon’s NIL Fund.
4. BYU
Kevin Wright didn’t forget how to coach. Rob Wright is back, and BYU has money. Let’s see if they advance in the Tournament this year.
5. UCLA
How could I forget about you, Mr. Cronin? Recruiting is going well. You’ll move up. This is a Way-Too-Early List, remember?
6. Gonzaga
Because they have to be here. Is the dynasty over? Some are saying it.
7. Utah State
Did the coach leave? Don’t matter. Utah State is a wagon. See you in the Pac-12.
8. Oregon State
I can smell what Justin Joyner is cooking. The money has been unlocked. The Beavers are in the hunt.
9. New Mexico
Well, how ‘bout that. Eric Olen kept Jake Hall. I’ll eat my crow and go home. Never thought it would be done. Some businessmen in Albuquerque stepped up.
10. Arizona State
Great hire. Randy Bennett is an excellent coach. And he is calling this his dream job. The expectation this year is to compete in the Big 12 and make the Tournament.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
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Dane Miller’s Too-Early Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings
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– April 3, 2026 -
Miller: This Time, Tucson Gets the Final Four it Deserves
> A highly opinionated preview of Arizona’s Elite 8 matchup with Purdue tonight in San Jose
– March 28, 2026
