Player of the Week
[player: Thomas Welsh] – UCLA
Honestly, Welsh didn’t have an amazing overall week, but he one of the main reasons why the Bruins beat top ranked Kentucky. The Wildcats had zero answer for Welsh as he handily won the head to head battle with highly rated bigman Skal Labisserie. It appeared that Kentucky had never seen a center with a midrange jump shot. The sophomore center knocked down jumpers all night, basically taking the heart out of the Wildcats. Welsh scored 21 points, (8-11 shooting) had 11 boards and chipped in two blocks, and shot a ridiculous 73 percent from the field. The Bruins brought the energy to Kentucky, always having an answer for a Wildcat run. Again, this game is the reason why so many people expect so much out of UCLA. If Tony Parker and [player: Bryce Alford] can continue to bring energy and swagger every single game, Welsh should have an easier time getting any shot. UCLA certainly has the talent to beat anyone in the country, they just have to be this motivated every single game.
Who’s Hot
[player: Jakob Poeltl] – Utah
What can’t this guy do? I must really sound like a broken record when talking about Poeltl, but the main has been the best player in the Pac-12 so far. Again, doing everything without consistent guard play makes Poeltl’s numbers even more impressive. The sophomore forward was incredible against BYU, in what would become an extremely competitive game. Poeltl was the only Ute to shoot more than 50% for the entire game and dominated in the paint, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking five shots. Poeltl even shot 70% from the free throw line this week, an improvement from last week. The only thing I really need to see from Poeltl will be how he plays against other lottery picks. Clearly, the sophomore forward should be a lottery pick, lets see how he plays against others he will be playing every day in the NBA.
[player: Josh Scott] – Colorado
Scott is quietly having one of the most efficient years for the Buffaloes. Clearly, Colorado hasn’t played any great teams yet, but anyone will take the start Scott has had. The senior forward has had health issues his entire career and showed this week how much the Buffaloes miss the senior when he is out. The senior is averaging 18 points 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks on the year all while shooting 65 percent from the field. Scott posted a stat line of 18-8-3-5 against North Colorado and had 24 and 15 against Ft. Lewis. While the NBA seems like a reach for Scott because of his age, if he stays healthy this year Colorado can possibly make the NCAA tournament. Here’s to Scott continuing to stay healthy the entire year.
Who’s Cold
[player: Jaylen Brown] – California
Brown certainly shows a lot of promise, but he on the offensive end at times. Granted he’s just a freshman and being judged on his performance through just eight games into his career. The freshman has to learn how to create more effectively, and this should come with time. Brown also seems to be forcing way too many shots. One of the positives of Brown’s game is his ability to get to the free throw line, he’s averaging seven a game for the year so far. However, he has to learn how to just find the open man when a defender doubles or just fills the hole. Brown also seems to be struggling on defense, playing with his hands way too much. I understand that there is definitely an adjustment period for any freshman jumping to high Division 1 play, especially when the Golden Bears have NCAA tournament aspirations. Brown should just slow down, he is thinking to much, just play basketball. There are so many good offensive weapons on the team, it’s fine to pass the ball every now and then.
Honestly, I’m still fired up from UCLAs win over Kentucky and was legitimately surprised the Bruins played so well. In honor of the Bruins’ win here are my top 5 surprises of the year so far.
Top 5 Surprises of the Pac-12 so far
5. Oregon St.’s offense Spare the Beavers only loss of the year against Valparaiso, Oregon St. has scored over 71 points in every single game, topping it off with a 93 point game against Iona. Good news Pac-12 fans, Oregon St. is no longer unbearable to watch. [player:Gary Payton II] still dominates the ball an incredible amount, but the senior has more help on the offensive end this year. [player:Drew Eubanks] is scoring 10 points a game on 74 percent shooting and [player: Steven Thompson Jr.] adds nearly 12 a game as a deadly spot up shooter. Last year, the Beavers were one of the best defensive teams of the Pac-12. If Oregon St. can keep this up on the offensive end in conference play, nobody will not want to play the Beavers.
4. Oregon’s offensive balance
Last year, the Ducks relied on [player: Joseph Young] to score 20 points, this year has been a completely different story. Some games its [player: Tyler Dorsey] leading the way, others it’s [player: Dillon Brooks] and [player: Elgin Cook] stepping up. Oregon has so many threats to score. Last week I went over how five players are averaging double digits in points, and this really looks like a trend that will continue. The most amazing part about the Ducks’ season so far, they are doing it all without [player: Jordan Bell] and [player: Dylan Ennis]. To me, Oregon is playing like California should be, hustling on defense and finding the open man on offense. The big question for the rest of the season will be how both Bell and Ennis can seamlessly fit back into the rotation without messing up the Duck’s mojo. Here is to Oregon remaining consistent the rest of the year.
3. Utah succeeding without guard play
Again, I must seem like a broken record when talking about the Utes, but the more I watch them, the more I am amazed. I can’t believe that teams can’t pack the paint against Poeltl, and even when they do, [player: Jordan Loveridge] burns them from deep. Junior guard [player: Lorenzo Bonam] seems to be a player that should get more minutes. While he doesn’t add much in playmaking, he can still add a scoring threat. Bonam actually scored 20 points against Texas Tech earlier in the year, but then has found it hard to fine minutes for the Utes. I really do think that Poeltl’s streak of amazing performances will end soon, he cannot possibly keep this up the entire year. Utah will need some guard to step up and create some open shots when teams figure out how to guard its big man down low. I just have no idea which guard on the roster will step up yet.
2. California’s inability to play defense
It’s no secret that the Golden Bears are one of the disappointments of the year so far. Even though the team sits at 5-2, they have so much room to improve. Simply put, California is playing defense with its hand and not its feet. The Golden Bears just dont move quick enough to the ball. Now, this is to be expected to a point, especially with two freshman getting such significant minutes, but what I am seeing is inexcusable. Brown is averaging 3.4 fouls per game while [player: Ivan Rabb] is averaging 3 fouls in just 25 minutes. Obviously, there is still so much time left in the season, but this is something that California has to fix before conference play starts. The Golden Bears will not be able to just outscore every team in the Pac-12, they must learn how to play defense.
1. Just how WIDE open the Pac-12 really is
Honestly, I expected the Pac-12 to be pretty wide open this year, but not this open. Nobody knows who is winning this league right now and if they say they do, they have no idea what they are saying. Almost every single team has shown flashes of being great, yet nobody has stood out just yet. Oregon has played great so far, but you know California, Utah, Arizona and even UCLA and Oregon St. can bring it with every single game. This is shaping up to be one of the closest and competitive years in the Pac-12, I’m just happy I get to watch.