The Pac 12 has become a conference where it is Arizona, and then everyone else. However, the recruiting front has changed the outlook of the 12 team league and with the momentum that is at hand from the likes of Arizona State, California, and Oregon State, along with the other stalwarts in the conference like Oregon, Stanford, and UCLA, might the conference be seeing a resurgence on the hardwood? It sure does seem that way.

In the coming days, we will look at the top incoming freshmen for each program within the Pac 12 confines where we will highlight not the most touted 2015 class member, but the guy that will mean the most to the squad's success and also have the opportunity to leave the largest fingerprint on the program at hand.

OREGON

With bloodlines that trace back to the country of Greece, it was freshman guard Tyler Dorsey that showed just how valuable he might be in Eugene during the FIBA U19 Championships this past summer. The 6-foot-4 guard had quite the senior season at Maranatha High in California and extended his hot streak into international play where he averaged close to 16 points and five boards per game in Crete. While many wondered whether Dorsey was a lead guard, combo, or more of a scorer, it will be the latter that might be depended upon from day one at Oregon. With the loss of Joseph Young to the NBA, there will be a lot of shots to be put up in replacing the Pac 12 Player of the Year from last season. Sure, the Ducks brought in Villanova transfer Dylan Ennis, but they may place a lot at the hands of Dorsey. Joining the playmaking guard for their first seasons at the Pac 12 program include Kendall Small and Trevor Manuel, both of whom should be able to produce over the long haul, yet Dorsey may be the guy that makes things go and revs it up a notch from taking Oregon out of just NCAA Tournament candidacy and into Pac 12 championship talk in March.

OREGON STATE

Wayne Tinkle took over the program in Corvallis last year and surprised many with the run the Beavers made out of the gates that he even had people whispering about a possible NCAA Tournament berth. With many of its key contributors back in tow, along with a seven person recruiting class that should become the ground floor for its future success on the hardwood, there definitely is a lot to look forward to with the Pac 12 group. Tinkle’s son, Tres, was a top-100 recruit out of high school and brings a ton of versatility in playing either forward spot and might be best used out of high post situations where he can shoot it and pass it appropriately. Drew Eubanks heads to campus where the 6-foot-9 forward is more of a stretch big man who actually grew up playing baseball and more of a basketball adolescent, has his best years ahead of him on the playing floor. Derrick Bruce is another freshman that makes his way to Corvallis where the 6-foot-3 playmaker is more of a scorer off the bounce and in the microwave variety. However, while all three should be solid producers at OSU, it is Stephen Thompson that might mean the most to whether or not the Beavers make the breakthrough this year and compete in the NCAA Tournament. While talent isn’t an issue with Thompson, whose father is on the coaching staff at Oregon State, it is the way that he produces and the need for it that makes him the most important freshman for the Beavers. Led by star guard Gary Payton II, the need for Oregon State last year was in finding consistent threats from off the perimeter. This would have allowed for easier driving lanes for the facilitating Payton and a much more fluid offense against the zone defense. With Thompson now on hand, the California native prides himself on the deadly deep ball and with good size on him, passes it well on the perimeter in seeing over the defense where he never plays outside of his element. Look for Thompson to be relied upon quite often for his perimeter assets and turn into a quality, well-rounded guard over the next few years for Tinkle’s crew at OSU.