Busting Brackets
Fansided

Pac-12 Basketball: UCLA, Oregon atop WTE offseason rankings for 2022-23

By Joey Loose

Jan 25, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) moves the ball as guard Tyger Campbell (10) provides coverage against Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) moves the ball as guard Tyger Campbell (10) provides coverage against Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 12
Next
Pac-12 Basketball Utah Utes center Branden Carlson Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Pac-12 Basketball Utah Utes center Branden Carlson Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Utah

Craig Smith did impressive work in three seasons coach at Utah State, but his first season with the Utes was a bit of a struggle. He wasn’t necessarily expected to come to Salt Lake City and suddenly dominate a league like the Pac-12, but I’m positive he wasn’t satisfied with an 11-20 mark to begin his career at Utah. Fortunately, he does have one of the strongest interior pieces in the entire conference coming back for another year.

Branden Carlson is a talented center who averaged 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season and has a chance to be an All-Pac-12 player with another breakout year. While this roster loses a couple starters, they will get back Rollie Worster and Lazar Stefanovic, two young guards who have a ton of potential in Smith’s rotation. The Utes also welcome Ben Carlson, a transfer from Wisconsin who will fit nicely at power forward, filling a significant hole.

It’s going to take time for Smith to bring his type of players into the program, but it certainly looks like they’re still a few impact players away from being a contender. Branden Carlson is an awesome piece to build a lineup around, but they just don’t have those impact shooters or scorers, unless one of those young guys really has a breakout campaign. For now, the talent on this roster does not make them a Pac-12 contender but don’t count out Smith down the road.

Home/Pac-12