Pac-12 Player of the Week
{Player: Isaiah Stewart} Washington
The 6’9 freshman with a massive wingspan has been an absolute force for the Huskies this season on both ends of the floor. He put up double double performances in each of his last two games and combined for seven blocked shots in those games. It is clear that Stewart (pictured) is the engine for this team moving forward. He scored 24 points on 50 percent shooting to go with 11 boards and five blocked shots in a 2-point loss to UCLA on January 2nd. Washington bounced back in a big way against USC winning 72 – 40 behind Stewart’s 18 points on 50 percent shooting, 10 boards, and two blocked shots. These impressive numbers have become the norm for this young man. Washington is a problem for any opponent with this young man on their side.
Who’s Hot
Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers had a big game ahead of them against a hot Colorado team who just defeated 4th ranked Oregon, but they came to play. {Player: Ethan Thompson} was the catalyst offensively for the Beavers as he had 24 points on 8/14 shooting to go along with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. {Player: Zach Reichle} also contributed 19 points for the Beavers. The duo combined to be 17/18 from the free throw line which was the difference maker in this game. Seeing guys other than {Player: Tres Tinkle} step up for this team is huge because when all of these guys are on, they are tough to beat.
Who’s Not
{Player: Nick Rakocevic} USC
This Trojan senior has shown that he can score upwards of 20-plus points in games and pull down double digit rebounds but he has struggled the last couple games. On January 2nd, the 6’11 center did pull down 10 boards but he only scored two points in the game going 1-6 from the field while not getting to the free throw line once. In a loss to Washington January 5th, Rakocevic only had six points on 2-14 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Despite this slump he has been in, he should be able to bounce back and help his team.
Top 5 Under the Radar Performers in the Pac-12
1. {Player: Chris Smith} UCLA
The 6’9 junior has made a substantial jump from last year to this year now averaging over 12 points per game. He has played at a level the last few games that gives a new definition to what his potential could be. He had 17 points on 61 percent shooting to go with 12 rebounds and five assists in a tight win over the Washington Huskies. He had 22 points and seven rebounds the next game on 57 percent shooting in an overtime loss to Washington State. Smith should be able to keep up this production given his increase in minutes per game this season.
2. {Player: Zeke Nnaji} Arizona
The 6’11 freshman has quietly been having a monster first year for the Arizona Wildcats. He’s averaging 16.6 points per game this season on 69 percent shooting and eight rebounds. He has particularly impressed as of late with an efficient double double performance in a big win over Arizona State. Nnaji had 17 points on 63 percent shooting with 11 boards and two steals in the blowout. Expect Arizona to keep centering things around this talented young man.
3. {Player: Both Gach} Utah
Averaging a hair under 13 points per game this season, Gach has played very strongly here in the new year for the Utes. He had 17 points on 50 percent shooting as well as six rebounds and two assists against Oregon State. Although the Utes fell to the Ducks in the following matchup, Gach still had a respectable performance with 24 points on 45 percent shooting and two assists. He also sunk all of his free throws. This young man along with {Player: Timmy Allen} can be a strong duo moving forward if they can beat conference opponents.
4. {Player: Daejon Davis} Stanford
This 6’3 junior had a very strong game in the Cardinals most recent matchup against Cal. He more than doubled his scoring average pouring in 20 points on 46 percent shooting, 100 percent from the foul line and 50 percent from deep. Davis did just about everything for Stanford except sell popcorn, recording six rebounds, five assists, and three steals on top of his scoring output. If he can string together some more performances like this one, watch out for the Cardinals.
5. {Player: Isaac Bonton} Washington State
This 6’3 junior had himself a great start to the new year. Although suffering a tough loss to USC on January 2nd, Bonton poured in 18 points with three boards and two assists. Bonton helped lead the bounceback overtime win over UCLA where he scored 17 points on 50 percent shooting also contributed five rebounds, five assists, and a blocked shot. This young man could become quite the commodity but he is going to have to improve on his shooting efficiency to maximize his game.