Pac-12 Basketball questions: Biggest 2022-23 surprises, disappointments

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the UCLA Bruins shakes hands with Jaylen Clark #0 during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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Pac-12 Basketball Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Who is your prediction for Conference Player of the Year? Possible runner-up?

Thedinga

You could make a genuine case for 4-5 players here — but Jaime Jaquez Jr. takes the cake for me. Jaquez averages 17 points per game on over 52% from the floor, but it’s his intangibles that UCLA benefits from most of all. It seems he comes up with every loose ball and is a calming force alongside Tyger Campbell on a team otherwise full of youth. As far as a runner-up, it has to be an Arizona Wildcat, and we’ll go with Azuolas Tubelis. Tubelis is top-10 in KenPom’s Player of the Year ranking and has helped catapult Arizona to be a National Title favorite.

Clarry

I think it is yet again a battle between the top two teams in the conference, this time between the power forwards. Azuolas Tubelis has been sensational this season and has been a key difference-maker since healing up from last season. It’s hard to not give the guy leading the conference in usage and offensive rating the award, but Arizona has faltered a bit in conference. Jaime Jaquez has proven that his efficiency and impact won’t waiver in a bigger role.

Walter-Warner

Azuolas Tubelis. The Arizona junior forward is threatening to run away with the award. The Lithuanian is averaging 20.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, both of which lead the conference. His free throw shooting is much improved and he’s shown the ability to even hit the occasional three. Teammate Oumar Ballo is probably the biggest threat, though it’s impossible to count out UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.

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