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NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga, Kansas among teams with 2022-23 NPOY favorites

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 7, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) goes for a dunk against Kentucky at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Kentucky 78-52.Ncaa Basketball Alabama Crimson Tide Vs Kentucky Wildcats
Jan 7, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) goes for a dunk against Kentucky at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Kentucky 78-52.Ncaa Basketball Alabama Crimson Tide Vs Kentucky Wildcats /
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NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jaime Jaquez – UCLA Bruins

2022-23 stats: 16.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.6 apg

The Bruins were unbeaten in Pac-12 play until this past weekend when they lost at Arizona in a defensive slugfest. But with a two-game lead midway through, the team is in good shape to not only win a regular-season title but potentially a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Jaquez has been the big reason for the success, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. But his production has waned off a bit in recent weeks. The senior forward was in double figures in the first 16 games of the season but in the past four, was in single digits twice.

But UCLA has benefitted from his all-around production in those games, going for eight points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in a win over Utah, along with nine points, six rebounds, and five assists in a road victory over Arizona State. Jaquez can still score when he needs to, including 23 points and 12 rebounds against Colorado in 38 minutes of play.

Coming off a 12-point performance on 5/17 shooting against Arizona, Jaquez looks to bounce back this week against USC and Washington. Some west coast bias has high flying under the radar a bit out west but right now, should be the favorite at least to win Pac-12 Player of the Year.

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