Pac-12 Basketball: 10 key questions looming for 2021-22 season

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman talks with his team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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UCLA Bruins Basketball Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Can the UCLA Bruins repeat last year’s magic?

The UCLA Bruins went on a magical run in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, getting from the First Four all the way down to their first Final Four since 2008 led by All-NCAA Tournament performer Johnny Juzang. Juzang put up 22.8 ppg and 4.0 rpg while shooting 50.9 percent from the field as they won six straight games to get to the national semifinal.

Mick Cronin has put his stamp on the Pac-12 with the Bruins already as he approaches Year 3 in his tenure. Can they repeat their magic in 2021-22?

Their sophomore cast of Juzang, Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Cambell return this season while the addition of Myles Johnson (Rutgers) out of the transfer portal will bolster their frontcourt.

If it was time to name a favorite in the race for the Pac-12 title, it’s hard to pick against the Bruins. Juzang produced 16.0 ppg and 4.1 rpg while shooting 35.3 percent from 3-point range in 2020-21.

Jaquez was another threat on the wing and on the glass, posting 12.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 1.7 apg and shooting 39.4 percent from behind the arc. Campbell is the glue guy at the point guard spot. He posted 10.4 ppg, 5.4 apg and 1.1 spg this past season.

Johnson is expected to improve the low-post defense. He was an All-Big Ten All-Defense selection this past season with Rutgers, recording 8.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 2.4 bpg in 2020-21. If he can find his footing quickly, look for this Bruins squad to be at the top of the Pac-12 in 2021-22.

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