Shabazz Muhammad: Did He Pick UCLA Because the Rest of the Pac-12 Is so Bad?

Why did Shabazz Muhammad sign with UCLA?

Was it because the rest of the Pac-12 is so bad?

In an article I wrote on April 7, I stated that I thought it would not be wise for UCLA to sign Muhammad.

Now that he is signed with the Bruins, I have to wonder why he ended up signing with the Bruins over Kentucky and Duke?

Kentucky is coming off a national title, but is losing its five starters, while Duke is always at the top of the rankings.

But, UCLA presented an interesting scenario for Muhammad.

By the time he committed, the Bruins had Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams committed to come to Westwood. This past week, the news got better with Tony Parker committing to the Bruins.

So, is that why Muhammad committed to the Bruins?

My guess is no.

When you look at Kentucky, there's competition from Florida and Missouri in the SEC next year, while Duke will have to contend with North Carolina, North Carolina State and Florida State.

UCLA has to contend with...

Sorry, nothing comes to mind here.

The Pac-12 is the weakest of the big six conferences when it comes to college basketball.

The only team the Bruins will really have to contend with is Arizona, that is if they can get things together.

No other team has shown the consistency needed to stay at the top of the conference.

With that said, I ask again, did Muhammad sign with the Bruins because the Pac-12 is so bad?

Add in the recruiting class coming in and the fact that the Bruins could literally go undefeated in the conference next year and I think that played a large part in his decision.

Put 17-18 wins automatically on their record and the Bruins will be in line for a No. 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament next year.

Sure, players want to compete against the best players in the country, which is why some go to the ACC, Big Ten, Big East or Big 12.

But, some others, who are the one-and-done variety, also opt play somewhere they can look the best. And what better place to look better than you really are than against competition that's not top-of-the-line?

Muhammad is going to be a top-five pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

Playing in the Pac-12 is going to make him look even better for NBA scouts.