Pac 12 Blog | Call Tyrone

Player of the Week

[player: Tyrone Wallace] – California

Could it be anyone else? I understand the Golden Bears haven’t been tested yet, but my goodness does that offense look great. At the helm is of course our player of the week, Tyrone Wallace. My main concern coming into the year was if Wallace would embrace being the playmaking point guard and so far, he looks up to the part. Wallace averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists this week. However, the most important stat of the week for me, Wallace only had two turnovers in two games. Wallace hasn’t had to shoot a tremendous amount so far, and he gets the benefit of actually having shooting around him this year. This all makes his driving ability incredibly dangerous this year. If Wallace can possibly continue to have a 7 to 1 assist to turnover ratio the rest of the year, California will make the final four.

Who’s Hot

Oregon Ducks

I could have given this award Duck’s freshman [player: Tyler Dorsey], but that doesn’t seem fair to the rest of the Oregon squad. As most of you know, the Ducks beat the no. 20 ranked Baylor squad earlier in the week. Dorsey played great in the first game of the year against Jackson St., but wasn’t incredible against Baylor. Oregon had some great defensive play, causing 18 turnovers over the course of the game. The Ducks jumped out to an early lead and wouldn’t relinquish it. Honestly, Baylor looked shellshocked with how the Ducks played. While Oregon didn’t catch fire from three, they didn’t have to, its defense carried them to a victory. One of the weak points of Oregon last year was actually the defense. If [player: Chris Boucher] can continue playing like this, the Ducks can win the Pac-12.  

[player: Jakob Poeltl] – Utah

The sophomore center from Austria certainly showed why coming back to Utah was such a great decision this week. Poeltl looks like a beast. Like California, Utah hasn’t really been challenged this year, but that really isn’t a problem. Poeltl’s put on a show in the first game of the year against Southern Utah with 26 points 11 board and 4 blocks on 10-13 shooting. The sophomore’s next two game weren’t as great, but he has still be able to rebound at a high rate. While most scouts love Poeltl for his defensive game, it still needs work. The sophomore tends to foul too much, he really needs to move his feet more on defense. Even with these slight defensive woes, Poeltl is an animal, and one of the reasons why Utah is ranked so high this year.

Who’s Cold

UCLA Bruins

While UCLA took care of business Thursday night against Pepperdine, its first game was a completely different story. The Bruins lost an embarrassing game to Monmouth to open the season. While some of the Bruins players have played well, there is no excuse for losing to Monmouth. Yes, UCLA is not as talented as last year, but Steve Alford has to get this team to play more consistently. Tony Parker has been incredible this year, but [player: Bryce Alford] has to start shooting at a more consistent rate. I really enjoy watching Alford, but it really shouldn’t be that much of a task to just take better shots. Lets see if UCLA can bounce back next week in Maui.

Utah’s Guards

Ah, we have finally arrived to maybe the biggest weakness in the entire Pac-12, Utah’s guard play. There is no question that the Utes’ can ball, but their guards just leave a bad taste in your mouth. Utah doesn’t have a guard shooting more than 25 percent from the field. Utah’s starting guards also didn’t make a field goal in the first game of the year. That is ridiculous. [player: Delon Wright] was a stud last year, but that is no excuse for not having any reliable replacement. [player:Brandon Taylor] has been just awful. Utah has the chance to be really good again, especially with Poeltl playing as well as he has, it just seems like it will be only a matter of time before the Utes’ guards cause the team to implode.

Top 5 Sharpshooters

Sorry everyone, I’m still not ready to rank the best freshman in the Pac-12 yet, but all in good time. Steph Curry’s torrid start to the season this year has got me to enjoy three-point shooting that much more. Without further ado, here are you top 5 sharpshooters to watch in the Pac-12 this year.

1. [player: Jordan Loveridge] – Utah

There really is no one else in the Pac-12 that can top this list. The most amazing thing about Loveridge to me, is that the senior forward is doing this with zero guard play. I covered the Utah guards earlier, but the fact that Loveridge can make so many threes with hands in his face is astounding. Loveridge has already taken 29 threes this year, but he’s making them at a 52 percent clip. The senior forward’s quick stroke and high release all point to him being the best three point shooting in all the Pac-12. I just wish Utah had some guards to get Loveridge more open looks.

2. [player: Jordan Mathews] – California

Mathews has always been a great shooter, but man does he look even better with the space he is getting this year. The Golden Bears are a nightmare to guard, it really is pick your poison at this point. If teams have been watching them, they should definitely attempt to take away Mathews from three. The junior guard has started out the year shooting 45 percent from three and honestly, that percentage can even rise. With all the talent California has this year, it’s only fitting that they also have one of the best shooters in the Pac-12. Good luck to whatever team has to guard them next.

3. [player: Tyler Dorsey] – Oregon

Man, is Dorsey as advertised. With a sweet stroke and quick first step, the Ducks seem to have found a star. The freshman guard is incredibly efficient, averaging 16 points on only 7.5 shots per game so far. While Dorsey can be a bit out of control at times, this is normal, he’s a freshman guard getting used to college defenses and the speed of Oregon’s game. Dorsey has no fear in his jump shot and is a joy to watch. The best part about Dorsey’s play so far, he can only get better from here.

4. [player: Gabe York] – Arizona

The senior guard for the Wildcats hasn’t always been an absolute sharpshooter, but York has been great this year. York is a career high 30s percent three point shooter, but has started this year shooting 50 percent from three point land. The senior guard was more of the “instant offense” off the bench for the Wildcats last year, but the team is definitely leaning on him more for scoring this year. York has a nasty step back with an incredibly quick release. Simply put, the man can pour it in from deep.

5. [player: Stephen Thompson] Jr. – Oregon St.

Would you look at that, [player: Gary Payton II] has some help. Yes, Thompson Jr. is a freshman, but the man can straight ball. The freshman guard has started out the year hot from three and is shooting 54 percent from three point land. There is definitely an adjustment period going from dominating the ball in high school to having Payton II dominate the ball on every play, but Thompson Jr. seems to be adjusting quickly. Thompson Jr. has a smooth stroke and is really fun to watch. If Oregon St. can actually score this year, the Pac-12 better watch out.