Busting Brackets
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PAC-12 Basketball: 2020-21 breakout candidates from each team

By Trevor Sinodhinos

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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UCLA Bruins: David Singleton

The 2020-21 season will see UCLA Basketball attempting to improve upon their 12-5 conference record which saw them finish one win behind the PAC-12 Regular Season Champions, Oregon. The opportunity is there for Coach Mike Cronin as the Ducks are set to lose senior point guard Payton Pritchard.

The Bruins will be losing graduating senior Prince Ali, but that might not be the only contributor not returning to play at Pauley Pavillion. Their leading scorer, 6’9 Chris Smith has declared for the NBA Draft after his junior season as he averaged 13 points and five rebounds. Smith seems to be committed to his decision and is unlikely to withdraw his name by the deadline on June 3, despite ESPN ranking him as the 65th prospect.

Smith’s departure leaves an open door for junior forward Jalen hill to have a breakout season after withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft, it will also leave a lot more touches for their current starting shooting guard. However, David Singleton will be challenged by the higher 2018 ranked freshman, Jules Bernard.

Coach Cronin was aware of this last season and started Singleton in fourteen games and played him 20 minutes per game. Bernard never started and outscored Singelton while averaging four fewer minutes, the raw stats are deceiving for Bernard had a usage rate that is 10 percent higher not playing alongside Chris Smith as often.

With two of the three highest usage rate players no longer in the starting line-up, Singleton will get more looks and improve upon his four points and two rebounds, and separate himself as the better player even though the last two seasons has not indicated that. Which in all fairness is what a breakout season is all about.

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