What are the strengths and weaknesses of each Pac-12 Basketball team in 2020-21?
The 2020 season has come and gone without a final tournament, and a lot has changed within the sports landscape since that time. Pac-12 Basketball serves as no different. No longer will the likes of Payton Pritchard, Tyler Bey, and Nico Mannion serve the main stage atop one of the best collective conferences in college hoops.
However, that provides a lot of room for new stars to blossom– and boy, oh boy, does this conference have some stars that are ready to take on those roles. From a scrappy point guard in Westwood who seems destined to have a break out year, to a certain returning starter in Eugene looking to keep the Ducks atop the standings.
There are still quite a few unknowns regarding the transfer portal and how everything will pan out eligibility wise. Being the moving target that it is, it’s immensely hard to predict who will be able to play immediately. But, we do know a few impact players already received their waiver, including former Big East freshman of the year James Akinjo (Arizona), and Kentucky’s Jonny Juzang who transferred back to his hometown to play for UCLA.
With all that is changing, the Pac-12 as a whole should stay pretty consistent wherein there will be quite a few sure-fire tournament teams, a couple more right on the bubble, and a few teams reloading for years to come. This scouting report will tell you what you need to know about each Pac-12 team for the ’20-’21 season, starting with #12.
12. Washington State Cougars
Projected Starters:
PG : Isaac Bonton, 6’3 Sr. (15.3 ppg, 4.0 ap)
SG: Noah Williams, 6’5 So. (6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
SF: Andrej Jakimovski, 6’7 Fr.
PF: Tony Miller, 6’6 Sr. (7.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
C: Volodymyr Markovetskyy, 7’1 So. (2.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Kyle Smith had Washington State playing its best basketball of the year down the stretch. Their fourteen-point bludgeon of Colorado in the Pac-12 tournament was actually the last completed basketball game of the year.
However, that was with the likes of CJ Elleby and company. Elleby leaving prior to his junior year is one that will sting for quite a while in this 2020 campaign. He averaged close to 20 points per game and right around eight rebounds as well. Although the Cougars have the pieces to replace him, it may take a while to find that rhythm. What helps fill that void is getting up a top-35 recruiting class (247 sports).
Strengths: Washington State picked up a few high profile recruits that will make an impact right away. Andrej Jakimovski, of Macedonia, shows a lot of polish and is the third-highest rated recruit in school history. Another big signing for Kyle Smith was the Veritas Prep product, Carlos Rosario.
Last season, they shot the worst percentage from the field (.397) of any team in the conference, Rosario and Jakimovski should help to boost that number. The backcourt returns Isaac Bonton and Noah Williams.
The tandem will be one of the more fun guard combo’s to watch in the conference. Bonton possesses explosiveness that is quite rare and can put up 30+ on any given night. Fan-favorite Noah Williams will provide a heart and soul for this team as they work to build the culture for years to come.
Building around Jakimovski, the Cougars will ask Tony Miller to step into a starting role aside Volodymyr Markovetskyy. Miller is an undersized post who makes up for it with gritty play. He is the type of player that does the dirty work; setting screens, hustling after loose balls, and playing tough post defense. Markovetskyy, on the other hand, has more than enough size at 7’1.
Weaknesses: Replacing Elleby and Jeff Pollard is no small task. Although Markovetskyy has some raw ability, he hasn’t quite adjusted to the speed of Pac-12 play which limits his ability to influence games offensively.
Backcourt depth is something to also keep an eye on; TJ Bamba and Jefferson Koulibaly are two freshmen that will have to provide quality minutes. Last season this team shot worst in the conference from three-point land as well as overall. Losing two of the primary producers won’t help those numbers increase.
The Call: Kyle Smith has things trending in the right direction, but they are a year or two outside of real progress. Don’t be surprised if they win a couple of games they aren’t supposed to, but to get outside of the bottom three, quite a few things need to go right.
11. Washington Huskies
Projected Starters:
PG: Quade Green, 6’0 Jr. (11.6 ppg, 5.3 apg)
SG: Marcus Tsohonis, 6’3 S0. (7.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
SF: Hameir Wright, 6’9 Sr. (5.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
PF: J’Raan Brooks, 6’9 So. *sat out last season
C: Nate Roberts, 6’10 So. (1.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
The Washington Huskies simply did not live up to the hype of the 2019 preseason. With talent like Isaiah Stewart, Jaden McDaniels, and Quade Green patrolling the floor– this seemed like an NCAA tournament lock. It just didn’t pan out that way. Before Green left to serve an academic suspension, the Huskies were 11-4.
At that point on, they finished the season 4-13 putting them in last place in the conference. With Green’s return, the Huskies look to pick up where they left off before his absence in December.
Strengths: There are reasons for optimism with Green, Marcus Tsohonis, and RaeQuan Battle in the backcourt. Battle, a former 4-star prospect adds a lot of length to coach Hopkins’ zone defense. Tsohonis, who shot 42% from behind the arc last year, can be counted on to be a steady form of production offensively.
This team has no shortage of athletes. Jamal Bey, who played some point guard in Green’s absence, will most likely be asked to play more of an off-ball roll this season. He will continue to provide sparks of production and should pair it with better three-point shooting than a season prior (25%).
Another newcomer to watch is North Idaho College transfer Nate Pryor, a 6’4 guard who has quite a bit of quickness and can get to the bucket. J’Raan Brooks will provide much-needed efficiency after sitting out a year after transferring from USC.
Nate Roberts will also be looking to increase his role from what it was last year, and it would not be a surprise to see him lead the team in rebounds. Hopkins also picked up key transfers in Erik Stevenson (Wichita State) and Cole Bajema (Michigan) but it is uncertain whether they will be granted eligibility.
Weaknesses: Now, I’m sure Mike Hopkins will welcome the lowest expectations his team has had since he has been the head coach in Seattle. These low expectations became even lower recently when it was announced the Huskies will plan to start the season without Nahziah Carter (12.2 ppg) due to a violation of the student-athlete code of conduct. Yet another big blow to Hopkins’ team, and another puzzle piece he’ll have to exchange.
So, where does that leave us? With a relatively unproven roster that already led the conference in turnovers a season prior. Down low, the options aren’t quite as plentiful as the backcourt. Hameir Wright will be the lone experienced starter in the frontcourt, who has started the most games (52) of any Husky on the roster. If Erik Stevenson and Cole Bajema don’t receive their waivers to play immediately, this season could be a long one for Mike Hopkins.
The Call: There are too many unknowns to have a clear picture of Washington one way or another quite yet. Three potential impact players are either awaiting waivers or hoping to get reinstated back onto the team currently. But, as it stands, this team isn’t ready to compete with the conference’s best and could find themselves competing with a few teams to avoid last place.
10. Oregon State Beavers
Projected Starters:
G: Ethan Thompson, 6’5 Sr. (14.8 ppg, 4.5 apg)
G: Zach Reichle, 6’5 Sr. (7.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
F: Alfred Hollins, 6’6 Sr. (5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
F: Maurice Calloo, 6’10 Jr. *sat out last season
C: Roman Silva, 7’1 Sr. (1.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg)
Wayne Tinkle now has to remember what it’s like to not be able to count on 20+ from your son night-in and night-out. The loss of Tres Tinkle cannot be understated, and what he and Kylor Kelley brought to this team was huge. Oregon State finished at18-13 last season but ended on a high note when fans saw Jarod Lucas sink a game-winning 3-pointer against Utah in the conference tournament.
The Beavers have only finished with a winning Pac-12 record once in coach Tinkle’s six years, and if this year is going to be any different, Ethan Thompson has to be sensational.
Strengths: When it comes to this year’s squad, the conversation starts and ends with senior guard Ethan Thompson. Thompson is the sixth-highest scoring returnee in the Pac-12. He also is the top returning rebounder for the Beavers. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in the conference; an absolute gamechanger.
Zach Reichle, Thompson’s partner in crime in the backcourt, returns as a senior as well this season. Reichle scored a career-high 19 points against Colorado last season, and we expect to see a few more days like that for him this year. At times he can be a three-point threat and handles the ball with care (1 to/gm).
Adding depth in the backcourt is Jarod Lucas, who shot 35% from three as a freshman last season. Lucas carved out more time as the season went on, and will be vying for a starting role this year. Transfer Tariq Silver shot three’s at a 45% clip last year at Tallahassee CC, and with all of Tinkle’s shots available, we expect Silver to get his share.
Weaknesses: The frontcourt could really see some problems this season. They lost their two top rebounders in Kylor Kelley and Tinkle, from a team that was already one of the worst rebounding teams in the conference. They look to replace those two with three small school transfers. At center the Beavers will count on senior Roman Silva to take the main stage and fulfill Kelley’s role defensively. Besides Silva, there is essentially zero returnees down low.
The Call: The backcourt is ready for the next step, the frontcourt is not. If one or two of the Junior College big men step up to the challenge, this team could be more towards the middle of the pack. More than likely, Ethan Thompson shines in his senior season, but it’s not enough to turn a lot of heads towards Corvallis. Wayne Tinkle will begin to feel his seat getting warmer after another lackluster year.
9. California Golden Bears
Projected Starters:
G: Joel Brown, 6’2 So. (2.4 ppg, 1.8 apg)
G: Matt Bradley, 6’4 Jr. (17.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
F: Andre Kelly, 6’8 Jr. (7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
F: Grant Anticevich, 6’8 Sr. (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
C: Lars Thiemann, 7’0 So. (3.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg)
Mark Fox’s first year at Cal ended on a high note with the knocking off of Stanford in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament. The Bears return nine of their 13 scholarship players from last year, headed by the second-highest returning scorer in the conference, Matt Bradley.
Over the past two seasons, Cal is 2-20 in true road games- one of the worst marks in the country. However, with a fairly experienced nucleus, this Cal team could make some decent progress even with losing two of their top three scorers from last season.
Strengths: Matt Bradley is one of the best returning guards in the conference, scoring less than 15 points in only a handful of games. Point guard Joel Brown will look to take the next step and has to increase production offensively for California to be viable.
The addition of graduate transfers Makale Foreman (Stony Brook) and Ryan Betley (Penn) will be key in the backcourt as well. Betley is one of the smarter guards in the country, and Foreman made 206 career three-pointers at Stony Brook.
Both of those qualities will be appreciated greatly, as Cal ranked bottom half in three-pointers and turnover margin in the conference. Lars Thiemann has the size and talent to turn into one of the better big men in the country and should only get better as the season progresses. The Bears also return a pair of solid forwards in Anticevich and Kelly, who combined for 16 points and 11 rebounds per contest.
These two should have more room to breathe and work down low with the addition of real perimeter threats to score. Monty Bowser, a top 150 recruit, will account for needed depth at forward.
Weaknesses: It is not an over-exaggeration saying that California was truly one of the NCAA’s worst offenses. They averaged 63.2 points per game, which landed them in 330th in the nation. With all the good mentioned above, they had a poor offensive team and they lost two of their top three scorers.
They also finished last in assists per game, as a lot of the offense seemed to be isolation and taking someone to the rack. With the addition of some perimeter shooters that will change this year. The depth down low is also worrisome, with very few options behind Thiemann.
The Call: Matt Bradley will enjoy a higher octane offense, and their offensive efficiency will increase to middle of the pack. However, the depth in the frontcourt and the lack of a defensive stopper will put a damper on their progression. Lars Thiemann will begin to become a real threat down low. If Mark Fox delivers a winning record and an NIT birth, this season will be considered overachieving for the Golden Bears.
8. Colorado Buffaloes
Projected Starters:
G: McKinley Wright IV, 6’0 Sr. (14.4 pgg, 5.0 apg)
G: D’Shawn Schwartz, 6’7 Sr. (9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
F: Maddox Daniels, 6’6 Sr. (3.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg)
F: Evan Battey, 6’8 Jr. (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
F: Jeriah Horne, 6’7 Sr. (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg) *at Tulsa
Tad Boyle will never know if his 21-11 Buffaloes from last year would have gone dancing. A thing that has eluded Colorado since 2016. Boyle has essentially brought the Colorado basketball program from the dead; showing seven 20-win seasons in ten years.
The program only has ten 20-win seasons in its entirety. However, there is a real danger of one of the program’s all-time greats, McKinley Wright IV, not making one single NCAA tournament. Colorado loses Tyler Bey and Lucas Siewert down low, but have picked up a key graduate transfer and a few solid recruits to ease those losses.
Strengths: Tad Boyle’s best-case scenario shows McKinley Wright delivering a Pritchard-esque performance in Boulder, and D’Shawn Schwartz becomes the next man up and fills in for the loss of Tyler Bey. This is all very possible, and the additions of Jabari Walker and Domonique Clifford should provide a solid rotation. Wright does it all, as he finished first in scoring (14.4 ppg), assists (5.0 apg), and third in rebounding (5.7 rpg).
Schwartz made 51 three’s a year ago, and shot it at 37%. Jeriah Horne is a terrific addition to the Buffaloes, as he’ll provide some toughness down low as well as some crafty ability to get to the bucket. Evan Battey is a scrapper that gets the job done, and he’ll only improve and become more confident in his junior year.
Weaknesses: McKinley Wright lost his go-to guy in Tyler Bey (13.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg). The points they’ll able to replace, the rebounds, however, will be harder. They had the second-best rebounding margin last season, which led to a lot of second-chance opportunities. Losing 13.1 rebounds per game between Bey and Siewert cannot be understated.
The slot alongside Schwartz and Wright is a little up-for-grabs right now. Let’s hope it’s because there are too many choices, and not because there aren’t any good ones. Whether it be Maddox Daniels, Eli Parquet, or Walker, that spot will have to be productive.
The Call: Wright IV will put an exclamation point on the end of one of the best careers CU has ever seen. They’ll lose their impressive margin on the glass from last season, and will shoot a similarly mediocre percentage from the field. The Buffs will find themselves ever-so-slightly on the outside looking in towards the NCAA tournament.
7. Utah Utes
Projected Starters:
G: Rylan Jones, 6’0 So. (9.6 ppg, 4.5 apg)
G: Alfonso Plummer, 6’1 Sr. (8.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
F: Timmy Allen, 6’6 Jr. (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
F: Riley Battin, 6’9 Jr. (7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
C: Branden Carlson, 7’0 So. (7.0 ppg, 1.4 bpg)
The Utes come into the season after a mediocre 16-15 year that had them in a tie for 8th in the Pac-12. Most of that was due to a dreadful 0-9 road record in conference, which optimists could chalk up to youth. Larry Krystkowiak enters his tenth year at the helm in Salk Lake, and it’s time for results to start to come. Utah has not made an NCAA tournament since 2016, but All-Pac-12 candidate Timmy Allen would like to change that.
Strengths: It’s time for the youth movement to start paying off for Utah. Underclassmen accounted for 89% of their scoring from a season ago. They were already 5th in the Pac-12 in scoring, and there is no reason to believe that wouldn’t continue to increase this season.
They have two good option to start at shooting guard, whether it be Jaxon Brenchley or Alfonso Plummer. Brenchley started when Both Gach went down last season and had a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. Alfonso Plummer set the Pac-12 tournament record when he launched 11 three’s. One of them will pair with the consistent sophomore, Rylan Jones.
Everything runs through Timmy Allen offensively, who removed his name from the draft in July. Allen is a certified bucket-getter, scoring more than 20 points on ten different occasions a year ago. Branden Carlson recorded 43 blocks in his freshman campaign and has the scoring capability to put up double digits every game. Ian Martinez, a touted California recruit, could be a key reserve.
Weaknesses: The only starter not returning is Both Gach (10.7 ppg) who opted to transfer to Minnesota this season. Gach provided some defensive tenacity on a team that was 201st nationally in scoring defense. The Utes need to find a defensive stopper. They also need more consistent play from some of their pieces.
Riley Battin, for example, seemed to disappear at times during the year. In the last seven regular-season games, he only averaged right at 2.1 ppg. The pieces around Timmy Allen are now older, so there is little excuse for spotty production this time around.
The Call: Although Utah is still quite young, they need to take advantage of what is most likely Timmy Allen’s last year in Salt Lake (unless he’s drafted by the Jazz). Rylan Jones will likely make a bigger name for himself, and Allen will be in first-team Pac-12 talks. Alfonso Plummer will make his last year his best one. The Utes defense will be the thing holding them from breaking into the top 5 in the conference and will find themselves squarely on the bubble.
6. USC Trojans
Projected Starters:
G: Ethan Anderson, 6’1 So. (5.5 ppg, 4.2 apg)
G: Tahj Eaddy, 6’2 Sr. (9.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg) *at Santa Clara
F: Noah Baumann, 6’6 Jr. *sat out last season
F: Isaiah Mobley, 6’10 Jr. (6.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
C: Evan Mobley, 6’11 Fr.
The Mobley brothers are ready to party. The Andy Enfield era is now on year eight after he came over to Southern California following FGCU’s magical Sweet 16 run. Roster turnover has been a mainstay in Enfield’s time to USC, and this year is no different. The Trojans will rely on a lot of youthful energy and one of the top recruits in the country to carry them to the tournament.
Strengths: Evan Mobley is the second-highest recruit in program history (No. 3). He will be paired with his brother Isaiah inside, and the two of them should be one of the more dynamic tandems in all of college hoops. The older Mobley really started to click in the second half of his sophomore year.
They return point guard and leader Ethan Anderson, who led the Trojans in assists (4.2 apg) in his freshman campaign. Noah Baumann and Tahj Eaddy are two transfers with a willingness to score. Baumann will have a shot to be the primary 3-point shooter, after knocking in 81 three-balls (at a 46% rate) his last year at San Jose State.
Chevez Goodwin is one of the more exciting newcomers, scoring 11.9 points per contest at Wofford last season. He should also provide some leadership as a senior in a young squad.
Weaknesses: The Trojans shot 65.9% from the free throw line last season. That was only worse than a couple dozen teams in the entire D-1 landscape. They also were 202nd in the NCAA in scoring and lost right around 75% of that scoring this offseason.
They simply do not have the offensive firepower, even with both Mobley’s performing at a high level, that the top tier conference teams will have. They also have zero players that have played in the program for more than two years.
The Call: Last year’s 22-9 Trojans could have done something quite fun in the big dance. This year’s team will have a much tougher time doing that. Evan Mobley will be one of the best freshmen in the country and Isaiah will improve his game as well. The lack of perimeter firepower will haunt USC and will limit their ceiling. it is more likely than not that this is a tournament team, but asking for much more than that seems steep.
5. Arizona Wildcats
Projected Starters:
G: James Akinjo, 6’0 So. *sat out last season
G: Terrell Brown, 6’1 Sr. (20.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) *at Seattle
F: Dalen Terry, 6’6 Fr.
F: Jordan Brown, 6’11 So. *sat out last season
C: Christian Koloko, 7’0 So. (2.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Things are quite interesting in Tucson as of late. Time will tell what happens with the investigation and whatnot, but Sean Miller has to keep his team focused on the court. Arizona has maintained its powerhouse perception, even though they have only won a total of two NCAA tournament games since 2015. Arizona lost 85% of its shooting (and all five starters) from a year ago, but have brought in a number of impact players to blunt the blow.
Sean Miller has touted Arizona’s brand as “A Player’s Program” for quite some time, but this offseason it has become an International Player’s Program. Of the nine new players, six are freshmen recruited from other countries. Five of European descent, and one hailing from Canada.
Strengths: The Wildcats have a nifty mix of upper-tier transfers and big-time overseas recruits. If Miller can get to a harmonious balance of veterans and newcomers this, on paper, is probably one of the better teams in the conference. Georgetown transfer James Akinjo was the Big East freshman of the year back in ’18-’19. He is a certified bucket getter who looks for his own shot almost to a fault.
The Wildcats need someone like that to pick up some of that 85% of the scoring that was lost from last year. Terrell Brown, a gritty playmaker, and Seattle U transfer will be alongside Akinjo in the backcourt. Another newcomer in the mix will be Kerr Kriisa, who was arguably the highest touted European prospect in the college market.
Christian Koloko is turning into quite a fine shot blocker (4.3 blocks per 40 minutes) and will have more opportunities to blossom his offensive game as well. Jordan Brown (Nevada) is another transfer that will have an immediate impact, especially on the defensive end. Arizona has a chance to be one of the tougher defensive teams in the conference even after losing the entire team from last year.
Weaknesses: Losing all five starters is simply devastating. They will rely on a lot of unproven talent and players not accustomed to American basketball quite yet. As talented as Akinjo showed he was his freshman season at Georgetown, he has been criticized by many coaches including Jim Boeheim as a selfish player “who wouldn’t pass the ball to anybody”.
It will take some time for everyone to synergize, especially in a year where games will be tougher to schedule due to COVID. Such a large reliance on international players has shown to be rough at the start of the year historically. Losing Brandon Williams for this year also hurts quite a bit. It has to sting Sean Miller that there are three sensational freshmen this season in the Pac (Williams, Mobley, Christopher) and none of them will have on an Arizona jersey.
The Call: The one-and-done formula has not done much to get Arizona to win in March. From Lauri Markkenen to Deandre Ayton they still haven’t seen the tournament results to please Wildcat fans. This team is built differently and has a chance to really develop together over multiple seasons.
As far as this season goes, they have a lot of questions to be answered offensively and where production is going to come from. Miller’s revamped roster seems more like a Xavier-type, that will focus on hustle, toughness, and defensive prowess. This year they will take their growing pains in stride, knowing that this group could be special in the next couple years.
4. Stanford Cardinal
Projected Starters:
G: Daejon Davis, 6’3 Sr. (8.8 ppg, 3.7 apg)
G: Bryce Wills, 6’6 Jr. (7.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
G: Ziaire Williams, 6’8 Fr.
F: Spencer Jones, 6’7 So. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
F: Oscar da Silva, 6’9 Sr. (15.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
The 20-12 Cardinal from a year ago returns most of their key pieces, including first-team all-conference forward Oscar da Silva. Jerod Haase has things really trending in the right direction and also added the highest recruit in program history this offseason in Ziaire Williams. However, they have a lot of work to do to claim a spot in the top three of the conference.
Strengths: Only Oregon could compete with Stanford as far as offensive efficiency a year ago, as Stanford finished top 30 nationally in shooting percentage and 3-point percentage. They also boasted the best scoring defense in the conference (62.5 ppg).
Stanford returns four starters, headed by star senior guard Daejon Davis and the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Oscar da Silva. Davis led the team with 117 assists and will have no shortage of people to pass to this year. His backcourt companion, Bryce Wills, brings elite defense and has the capability to run point as well.
Ziaire Williams, who chose Stanford over the likes of UCLA and Duke, should transfer to the college game quite nicely. He was a standout at Sierra Canyon and a teammate of Bronny James. Spencer Jones pairs nicely with da Silva down low and both should be in double digits more games than not for the Cardinal.
Weaknesses: The defense was really good, the shooting percentage was well above average, the turnover margin actually wasn’t too bad either this past year. Yet, the Cardinal finished conference play at 9-9. It just seemed as if they didn’t know how to close out games. They lost twice in OT and a whole number of games by five points or less. Haase has to figure out the formula to turn this program into a winning culture.
A year ago, they had one of the worst rebounding margins in the country, that will need to change if Stanford wants a seat in the top three. Beyond Wills and Davis, the backcourt will count on a few different freshmen, notably Mike O’Connell and Noah Taitz to provide depth. Behind Lukas Kisunis and Jaiden Delaire, there isn’t too much depth in the frontcourt either for Stanford.
The Call: This is an uber-talented group, and things seem to be churning in the right direction for the Cardinal. However, they need to find a way to close out some close games. Williams will be a star, and Oscar da Silva will regain his spot on the all-conference team. Stanford hasn’t been to the dance since 2014, and this year that will be snapped. Stanford will continue to be a formidable defense and will prove to be a real threat to the three big dogs in the conference.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils
Projected Starters:
G: Remy Martin, 6’0 Sr. (19.1 ppg, 4.1 apg)
G: Josh Christopher, 6’5 Fr.
G: Alonzo Verge Jr., 6’3 Sr. (14.6 ppg, 3.5 apg)
F: Marcus Bagley, 6’8 Fr.
C: Jalen Graham 6’9 So. (3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
Bobby Hurley has things going over in Tempe. ASU saw another top-three finish in the Pac-12 last season and what would have been another NCAA appearance. They return most of last year’s crew, including a few players who will boast all-conference talent. Bringing in both Marcus Bagley (No. 29 recruit) and Josh Christopher (No. 12 recruit) will help the Sun Devils make a legitimate push towards their first Pac-12 championship.
Strengths: Many thought Remy Martin would pursue an NBA career after last year’s dominant season, but Martin is back for his senior year alongside his running mate Alonzo Verge Jr. The two combined for 35 points per game last season, and are accompanied by Josh Christopher, one of the most sought after guards of the 2020 class. This trio will be incredibly fun to watch and have depth to bolster them.
Portland State transfer Holland Woods (17.7 ppg) and Jaelen House (3.9 ppg) will both be good scoring threats off the bench. Down low, the Sun Devils will use a mix of Jalen Graham, Marvin Bagley, and Kimani Lawrence in the starting roles. Evidently, Bagley has been impressing this fall and is expected to get the first chance to start in the four-spot.
All three are capable of being real threats to score. Jalen Graham brings a tenacity to the floor that will be needed on both ends. Firecracker Taeshon Cherry will also be used to provide some defensive help down low. This team, who had the best turnover margin in the conference last season, will likely continue that trend.
Weaknesses: Rebounding and 3-point shooting are the two question marks for Bobby Hurley. Even with Verge and Martin being able to score at will from time-to-time, the Sun Devils only shot it from deep at a 32% clip (11th in the Pac). They were also the worst rebounding team in the conference, which is not helped by Romello White’s (8.8 rpg) departure. If ASU can get these two things in check, there’s not a lot to dislike about this squad.
The Call: The three guards all have all-conference caliber talent. Remy Martin very well could be in the conversation for player of the year when it is all said and done. If the Sun Devils can shoot 3-pointers at a higher percentage, this team becomes tough to beat. However, you cannot be the worst rebounding team and still win the conference. If that also gets cleaned up, watch out. Bobby Hurley hasn’t advanced past the Round of 64 with ASU. This is his best chance to breakthrough.
2. Oregon Ducks
Projected Starters:
G: Will Richardson, 6’5 Jr. (11.0 ppg, 2.3 apg)
G: Chris Duarte, 6’6 Sr. (12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
F: Eric Williams Jr., 6’6 Jr. (14.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg) *at Duquesne
F: Chandler Lawson, 6’8 So. (4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
C: N’Faly Dante, 6’11 So. (5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
A lot may have changed in the world, as well as the sports landscape in the past year. But one thing will stay the same; eleven teams will be chasing the Ducks at the start of the 2020 season. Whether it will end that way is up for debate. Dana Altman has his usual mix of quality veterans, transfers, and newcomers.
The last three NCAA tournaments have seen Oregon in the Elite Eight, Final Four, and Sweet Sixteen, respectively. The latter was certainly do-able last season were there to be a tournament. There is no reason to believe this season will be any different, even without Payton Pritchard and Anthony Mathis manning the ship.
Strengths: This team goes from good to great if LJ Figueroa and Aaron Estrada are granted immediate eligibility. Figueroa, a standout at St. John’s led the Red Storm in points (14.5 ppg) and is a good rebounder as well. Estrada was the ’19-20 MAAC Freshman of the Year at St. Peter’s. Chris Duarte can, and will, do just about everything for Oregon. He will be expected to carry some of the scoring slack left in Pritchard’s wake.
Duarte, along with Will Richardson and freshman Jalen Terry will create havoc in the backcourt both offensively and defensively. Terry, the freshman out of Michigan, will compete for a starting spot and has a chance of becoming one of the better freshmen in the conference.
Sources close to the program say that N’Faly Dante has progressed greatly this offseason, and has a chance to break out this year. Last season they were first in the conference in both shooting percentage and 3-point percentage, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that repeat with all of their weapons.
Weaknesses: As terrific as Chris Duarte is, the loss of the other four starters simply cannot be overstated. Payton Pritchard was perhaps more important to the Ducks than any player in the nation was to their team. Oregon now finds itself placing its’ faith in a big group of transfers to get the job done.
Eric Williams (Duquesne) and Amauri Hardy (UNLV) will be counted on to produce as efficiently in Dana Altman’s system as they did over in the Atlantic 10 and Mountain West. If Figueroa and Estrada do not receive eligibility, this team loses a lot of the depth it needs to compete deep into March.
The Call: Amauri Hardy will prove to be a terrific addition, and will work his way into the starting lineup. If Figueroa and Estrada do not receive waivers, the Ducks will be hurting for depth. They have to replace a whole lot, but Altman brought in a class that has the capability to handle the blow. Dante becomes one of the league’s better big men, and first-teamer Duarte will lead the Ducks to yet another top-three finish in the Pac-12.
1. UCLA Bruins
Projected Starters:
G: Tyger Campbell, 5’11 So. (8.3 ppg, 5.0 apg)
G: Jaime Jaquez Jr., 6’6 So. (8.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
F: Chris Smith, 6’9 Sr. (13.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
F: Cody Riley, 6’9 Jr. (8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
C: Jalen Hill, 6’10 Jr. (9.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
The Bruins open up this season with just about everything back from a season ago. After a shaky start, UCLA won 11 of their last 14 contests resurrecting what were once seemingly impossible hopes of an NCAA Tournament birth. I cannot remember a time in any program where a coaching decision went from so highly criticized to just as highly praised in a matter of two weeks.
As it stands, people over in Westwood love Mick Cronin and brush off that first month-and-a-half as a learning experience (which included losses to Hofstra and Cal-State Fullerton…). Year two will be a telling one for this new era of Bruins, who are in what is essentially a three-horse race in the preseason.
Strengths: Experience is the biggest thing for this UCLA team. They bring back every starter, and the only key bench player who is gone is Prince Ali, who saw his role diminish down the stretch last year anyways.
This may be the best UCLA frontcourt, in Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, that they have had in quite a few years. You pair that with a guard who knows how to distribute as Tyger Campbell does, and that becomes something dangerous. Chris Smith (13.1 ppg) will be in contention for Pac-12 player of the year and should continue to progress on both sides of the court.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the X-factor for this team, who found his way into the lineup halfway through the season due to his defensive tenacity and athletic ability. Jaquez average 1.4 steals per game last year and should increase his offensive efficiency as well.
The Bruins have the depth needed in the backcourt to go the distance, with four stretch-guards (Jules Bernard, Jonny Juzang, Jake Kyman, and David Singleton) all capable of producing at a high level. Kyman and Singleton can both shoot it from deep but will have to do so more efficiently for UCLA to reach the next echelon. Jonny Juzang, a sharpshooting Kentucky transfer, is not necessarily known for his defensive prowess, but if he were to get things right defensively- he could contribute immediately.
Weaknesses: The backcourt depth took blows this offseason with the departure of Shareef O’Neal as well as Alex Olesinski. Behind Hill and Riley, the Bruins will have to rely on Kenneth Nwuba (6’9 So.) who only played sparingly in the 18′-19′ season.
Another cause for concern is looking at the offensive numbers from a year ago. UCLA was 11th in the conference in both scoring and 3-point percentage. The second-best shooter from deep, David Singleton, only shot it at a 37% clip (down from 46% the year prior). The scoring defense was also below what is expected from Cronin-coached teams, as they finished the year 112th in defensive efficiency.
The Call: For UCLA to reach the heights that they want to this season, they’ll have to shoot much better than they did a year ago. The good news is that they have the talent to do it. They will improve defensively and with all the key components returning, chemistry should be an additive factor.
If Kenneth Nwuba steps up as a valuable reserve, this team’s overall depth could match anyone in the conference. Campbell will become one of the must-watch players in the NCAA tournament, as Chris Smith brings the Bruins to the sweet sixteen for the first time since 2017.