NCAAM teams
John Gasaway, ESPN Insider 9y

Arizona's top Pac-12 challengers

Men's College Basketball, UCLA Bruins, Oregon Ducks, Stanford Cardinal, Utah Utes, California Golden Bears

Arizona is returning to the mainland with the Maui Invitational trophy in its carry-on baggage, having prevailed against San Diego State 61-59 in the title game. This means, among other things, that the Wildcats have safely made it to Thanksgiving with their status as the team to beat in the Pac-12 still in place. Take a bow, Sean Miller.

Still, the fact that the game against the Aztecs -- just like UA's semifinal win over Kansas State -- came down to the 40th minute suggests that Miller's team is not invincible. Arizona's defense has been very good, but it's not yet on the same level as what we saw from this team last season. And while Stanley Johnson and T.J. McConnell hold a great deal of potential as a scoring combination, to this point in the season they're shooting a combined 41 percent on their 2-pointers and 32 percent on their 3s.

So yes, the Wildcats are the team to beat in the Pac-12, but they'll have to work to defend their league title. In fact, I count no fewer than five legitimate rivals that could contend for the conference championship in their own right. To paraphrase "Ratatouille," not every Pac-12 rival of Arizona's can be a great team this season, but a great team could come from any of the following programs:

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