This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
The best thing about the 2017-18 season for the Pac-12 is that it is over. The campaign opened in scandal, with the FBI probe affecting Arizona and USC. The year ended with a whimper, as the three teams that made the NCAA Tournament (Arizona, UCLA, Arizona State) did not win a game. The Bruins and Sun Devils were knocked out in the First Four. It can only get better.
Although the Wildcats may not be as dominant as in past seasons, it looks like Oregon will be back. The Ducks have a strong recruiting class led by Bol Bol and Louis King (if he can get back on the court after tearing his ACL in January), as well as returning players such as Payton Pritchard (14.5 ppg, 4.8 apg) and Kenny Wooten (6.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Washington was a nice surprise in its first year under coach Mike Hopkins and returns the majority of its roster. UCLA faithful want more out of Steve Alford, so he may be under even more pressure to win this year. While the Pac-12 may be the weakest of the major conferences, there should be plenty of intrigue.
Center: Bol Bol, Oregon Ducks
Unlike the NBA for the most part, size matters in college basketball. The 7-foot-2 Bol has the size to impact games on both sides of the court. Like his father, Bol is an impact shot blocker. The Ducks already have the leading shot blocker from last season, Kenny Wooten (2.6 bpg). The
The best thing about the 2017-18 season for the Pac-12 is that it is over. The campaign opened in scandal, with the FBI probe affecting Arizona and USC. The year ended with a whimper, as the three teams that made the NCAA Tournament (Arizona, UCLA, Arizona State) did not win a game. The Bruins and Sun Devils were knocked out in the First Four. It can only get better.
Although the Wildcats may not be as dominant as in past seasons, it looks like Oregon will be back. The Ducks have a strong recruiting class led by Bol Bol and Louis King (if he can get back on the court after tearing his ACL in January), as well as returning players such as Payton Pritchard (14.5 ppg, 4.8 apg) and Kenny Wooten (6.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Washington was a nice surprise in its first year under coach Mike Hopkins and returns the majority of its roster. UCLA faithful want more out of Steve Alford, so he may be under even more pressure to win this year. While the Pac-12 may be the weakest of the major conferences, there should be plenty of intrigue.
Center: Bol Bol, Oregon Ducks
Unlike the NBA for the most part, size matters in college basketball. The 7-foot-2 Bol has the size to impact games on both sides of the court. Like his father, Bol is an impact shot blocker. The Ducks already have the leading shot blocker from last season, Kenny Wooten (2.6 bpg). The paint is going to be a no-fly zone for Oregon opponents.
The freshman center can hold his own on offense as well. He has a nice mid-range jumper, which he can shoot over all opponents, and will have an effect on the offensive boards. Although centers are being de-emphasized in the NBA, Bol could be a one-and-done talent, particularly if he can show off range on his jumper.
Also Considered: Chase Jeter, Arizona; Josh Sharma, Stanford; Nick Rakocevic, USC; Jayce Johnson, Utah
Freshman: Moses Brown, UCLA Bruins
The Pac-12 snagged the top two incoming centers in the class. UCLA had been using Thomas Welsh effectively for the past three seasons, and while Brown may not have the ability to hit open jumpers as well as Welsh initially, he should fill the gap on the boards. Welsh provided 10.8 rebounds last season. Brown may not grab double-digit boards, but he will be close. The Bruin roster has plenty of size in returning players Cody Riley and Jalen Hill (both returning from suspension), but Brown should command the most minutes and could vie with Bol as Freshman of the Year in the Pac-12.
Also Considered: Bol Bol, Oregon; Brandon Williams, Arizona; Louis King, Oregon; Will Richardson, Oregon
Scoring: Robert Franks, Washington State Cougars
Since Franks joined the Cougars, the team has won just 11 conference games. The 6-7 senior showed that he can score in a losing situation last year and should get plenty more opportunities in his final season of eligibility. He averaged 17.4 points and was solid from all over the court in his junior year. He hit 47.6 percent of his field goals, 40.5 percent of his 3-pointers, and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line. Franks hit 10 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 34 points in a Jan. 13 win over California.
Washington State had four guards transfer out, including Malachi Flynn, so Franks could get at least 15 shots per game and bump his scoring average up close to 20 points.
Also Considered: Ryan Luther, Arizona; McKinley Wright IV, Colorado; Stephen Thompson Jr., Oregon State; Kris Wilkes, UCLA; Sedrick Barefield, Utah; Jaylen Nowell, Washington
Rebounding: Tres Tinkle, Oregon State Beavers
Tinkle returned from a season lost to a wrist injury and looked like he had not missed a beat. He led the Beavers with 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. The 6-8 junior was forced into offensive facilitation duties after Jaquori McLaughlin left the team. He should continue to have the ball in his hands a great deal, but the main ball handling should be filled by Stephen and Ethan Thompson. This will allow Tinkle to move back into the paint, where he should snag boards aplenty. The coach's son accumulated eight double-doubles as a redshirt sophomore, and he could double that total in the new season.
Also Considered: Noah Dickerson, Washington; Moses Brown, UCLA; Romello White, Arizona State, Kenny Wooten, Oregon; Bol Bol, Oregon
Assists: McKinley Wright IV, Colorado Buffaloes
Wright was the breakout performer for the Buffaloes last season. The 6-0 sophomore led the team with 14.2 points and 5.5 assists to go along with 4.7 rebounds. He nearly had a triple-double in a double-overtime win against South Dakota State (and forward Mike Daum) with 30 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. It was one of four double-doubles for the Colorado point guard. He did his damage despite hitting just 30.4 percent of his 3-pointers. A better perimeter shot could open up the floor for the Buffaloes and result in clearer passing lanes and easier baskets for his teammates.
Also Considered: Justin Coleman, Arizona; Remy Martin, Arizona State; Paris Austin, California, Payton Pritchard, Oregon; Ethan Thompson, Oregon State
Sleepers
KZ Okpala, Stanford Cardinal
The big news out of Palo Alto is that Reid Travis decided to abscond to Kentucky. The loss of the Cardinal's top scorer and rebounder should leave plenty of shots to go around the Stanford roster. Guard Daejon Davis (10.7 ppg, 4.8 apg) could be the team's leading scorer, but the 6-8 Okpala will not be far behind. He missed the first 12 games of his freshman season while getting his academic house in order. Okpala never found consistency, but he did score at least 20 points or more in four games, including a season-high 23 in the regular season finale against UCLA. He finished with an average of 10 points, despite converting just 39.3 percent of his field goals and 22.6 percent of his 3-pointers. With more experience and consistency, the sophomore could fulfill his potential.
Donnie Tillman, Utah Utes
Like Okpala, Tillman is coming off a nice freshman season in which he missed some games. The 6-7 missed seven contests overall due to foot issues. He had a pair of double-doubles in the first month of the season against Missouri and UNLV, and looked ready for a big slice of the Ute pie. He initially was injured on Dec. 9 against Utah State, and his season bumbled with absences and limited minutes. If his foot is healthy, Tillman should lead the Utah frontcourt in scoring and be among the team's leaders on the glass. More practice time may help Tillman hit more shots from the perimeter (32.1 percent on 3-pointers) and lead to more open shots for Barefield and point guard Charles Jones Jr.
Also Considered: Shane Gatling, Colorado Buffaloes; Derryck Thornton, USC; Charles Jones Jr., Utah; Isaiah Wade, Washington State; Jervae Robinson, Washington State
Top-10
1. Robert Franks, F, Washington State
2. Tres Tinkle, F, Oregon State
3. McKinley Wright IV, G, Colorado
4. Bol Bol, C, Oregon
5. Bennie Boatwright, F, USC
6. Payton Pritchard, G, Oregon
7. Noah Dickerson, F, Washington
8. Moses Brown, F/C, UCLA
9. Romello White, F, Arizona State
10. Stephen Thompson Jr., G, Oregon State
