Stanford, which reached the Sweet Sixteen last year, was tabbed to finish fifth in this year's Pac-12 Conference Coaches Poll released Thursday.

Arizona was the overwhelming favorite, getting 31 of the 32 first-place votes. UCLA, picked fourth, received the other first-place nod.

"Since I have been here, people have considered the conference up and down," Cardinal coach Johnny Dawkins said. "But it's always been great because of the parity."

Utah and Colorado were picked second and third, respectively.

"We all know at the end not only will the league standings be close, but that games are going to come down to the final possession," Arizona State coach Herb Sendek said. "Arizona is clear-cut. For the rest of us, you could put everybody in a hat, shake it up, and have just as good a chance at predicting the order of finish."