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.

CALIFORNIA

Talk about the difference a year makes. Head boss Cuonzo Martin was being ushered out by the Tennessee Vols fans and how did he retaliate? By keeping the core intact at his new home in Berkeley, welcoming in two, top-10 freshman this fall, and having the chance to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this coming March. With an unbelievable quartet of wings and guards on the Cal roster this year including Jabari Bird, Tyrone Wallace, Jordan Matthews, and Sam Singer, the Bears bring in two potential one and done guys with 6-foot-7 wing Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, a 6-foot-9 big man out of Bishop O’Dowd in nearby Oakland, California. While Brown is the more touted prospect and a potential top-3 draft pick next June, the pressure may fall more heavily on Rabb, thus my selection here as Cal’s most pertinent freshman. The reasoning for this? The talent is so immense in the backcourt that there might be more needed from Rabb. The ambidextrous big man can score in every which way possible on the block and can also face-up and hit on crafty mid-range shots from the baseline areas. Toughness and strength gain has always been in question with Rabb but if the Golden Bears want any chance at making a deep run in March, Rabb has to be the guy down low. If he can handle possible double teams on the block, create better separation for his elite guard set, and rebound the ball on both ends, not only does the west coast product’s stock soar, but so does the chances of Martin’s crew succeeding this season.

COLORADO

The Buffaloes have more than enough talent on the wings and down low heading into the new season as guys like Xavier Johnson, Wesley Gordon, and Josh Scott should all be quite the productive ballplayers this year. Where the need comes is in the backcourt and at either guard spot and it is the staff’s hope that Dominique Collier, a sophomore lead guard, will step up his game with prolonged minutes in leading his Buff squad to future success on the hardwood. Who slides next to him and also backs him up is still up for debate but the mystery man in Boulder is in Belgium born guard Thomas Akyazili. The 6-foot-2 guard can play either spot in the backcourt and has a good looking jumper from deep. Due to his added size and length on the perimeter, Akyazili makes good slashes to the basket and has the handles in being depended upon as a lead guard, just as well. Collier averaged short of five points and two assists per game last year so relying solely on the point man for consistent production, especially in such a deep and competitive conference like the Pac 12, is a little bit too much to ask. While it will be a giant learning curve and a bit of a culture shock for the Belgium freshman this year, Akyazili might be able to surprise a few opponents later on in the year once he gets settled and comfortable within the confines of Tad Boyle’s system in Boulder.