By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The faculty basketball season is over for nearly the entire groups from the West.
Not one of the packages within the area superior past the Candy 16 and solely two groups bought that far.
This ultimate Energy Rating for the 2024-25 season elements in Boise State’s success within the School Basketball Crown however doesn’t think about the early offseason roster modifications or teaching strikes.
It’s merely a ultimate overview of how all of the groups stack up on the finish of the 12 months.
Success within the NCAA Match is the controlling issue. No one ever remembers if a group had a strong common season. The one gauge that holds any weight is how far a program will get within the Large Dance.
Right here’s how I view the Prime 10 groups on the finish of the 12 months.
1. Arizona
The Wildcats made it to the Large 12 Match Championship Sport and superior to this system’s twenty first Candy 16.
The seven-point loss to Duke is the closest anybody has performed the Blue Devils thus far within the NCAA Match. The Cats have been inconsistent all 12 months however stepped up in March.
The win over Oregon within the Spherical of 32 was historic and the 28-point drubbing of Akron within the First Spherical put to mattress any doubts concerning the group.
2. BYU
For the final six weeks of the season, BYU gave the impression to be the highest group within the West.
However the 20-point loss to Houston within the Large 12 Match Semifinals and the 25-point loss to Alabama within the Candy 16 modified the notion.
The margins of defeat have been stunning and uncovered the Cougars’ defensive flaws.
Nonetheless, the win over Wisconsin within the Spherical of 32 was extremely respectable and this system is overflowing with momentum heading into subsequent season.
3. UCLA
Mick Cronin salvaged UCLA’s season after a disastrous stretch to begin Large Ten play.
The loss within the Second Spherical was roughly in keeping with expectations contemplating the circumstances.
The Bruins have been under-seeded by the Committee and might need made the Candy 16 with a unique draw.
However the blowout victory over Utah State within the First Spherical was respectable and this system went undefeated in opposition to Arizona, Gonzaga, Oregon, USC, Washington, Michigan State, and Indiana.
4. Oregon
With their second-straight journey to the Spherical of 32, Dana Altman has the Geese again on observe.
Oregon dominated their nonconference schedule with respectable wins over Alabama, Texas A&M, and San Diego State.
The blowout victory over Liberty within the First Spherical was an announcement win, too. However the defeat to Arizona was disappointing after leaping out to an early lead.
Nonetheless, UO basketball seems to be trending up after a number of years of treading water.
5. Gonzaga
The Zags’ nine-year streak of constructing the Candy 16 was snapped by the hands of Houston. However regardless of the loss, Gonzaga regained respect.
The 4 defeats in WCC play have been traditionally dangerous and resulted within the Committee making GU an eight-seed.
But, Mark Few’s group crushed Georgia and solely misplaced by 5 to Houston. That means this system would have made the Candy 16 if it had a greater draw.
Mixed with successful the WCC Match, Gonzaga confirmed why it ought to nonetheless be revered.
6. New Mexico
The Lobos gained a recreation within the NCAA Match for the primary time since 2012.
The nine-point victory over Marquette was respectable and gained some respect for the Mountain West.
For what it’s price, the eight-point loss to Michigan State within the Second Spherical was marred by a questionable foul discrepancy in favor of the Spartans. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that New Mexico exceeded expectations.
The roster was sturdy and the nonconference wins over UCLA and USC stay noteworthy.
7. Saint Mary’s
It’s not simply that Saint Mary’s didn’t make the Candy 16 and misplaced within the Second Spherical once more. It’s the best way they appeared so outmatched by Alabama.
Granted, the Tide did make the Elite 8 and have been one of many prime groups within the nation. But it surely was painfully clear that the Gaels weren’t wherever close to the identical caliber.
Mixed with the questionable three-point win over Vanderbilt within the First Spherical, the identical questions surrounding this system come proper again to the floor.
Shifting ahead, it’s most likely going to take a unique strategy for Saint Mary’s to lastly break by way of to the subsequent degree.
8. Colorado State
Make no mistake, Maryland’s Derik Queen traveled, robbing Colorado State of an look within the Candy 16.
Nonetheless, ending the 12 months as one of many hottest groups within the nation, CSU exceeded all expectations.
In that context, the Rams had a historic 12 months that ought to make the fanbase proud. The group went on a magical run that gained’t be forgotten.
But, for higher or worse, the tip of that recreation within the Second Spherical will perpetually stay in Colorado State lore.
9. UC San Diego
The Tritons confirmed they belonged within the NCAA Match. Michigan made the Candy 16 and UC San Diego took them all the way down to the wire.
The three-point loss helped change the perceptions of the Large West.
Applications are by no means in-built a single season and a league’s repute takes years to develop.
However based mostly on their exhibiting within the First Spherical and UC Irvine making the championship of the NIT, the prospects of a two-bid Large West have elevated for 2026.
10. Boise State
The Broncos ought to have obtained an at-large bid to the NCAA Match.
Boise State had a powerful sufficient resume however the Committee determined to offer the SEC 13 at-large bids as a substitute.
The margin of defeat to Colorado State within the Mountain West Championship Sport was a contributing issue. However BSU would have been a greater possibility over each Utah State and San Diego State.
Profitable the Crown would ship a message to anybody nonetheless paying consideration.
Miller covers School Basketball and School Soccer in addition to System 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
