Player of the Week
Oscar da SilvaThis 6’9 junior is averaging just under 17 points per game on 61 percent shooting on the year. He just helped his team get a huge win over the top team in the conference, 11th ranked Oregon Ducks. Da Silva (pictured) had a monster double double performance scoring 27 points and pulling down 15 rebounds shooting 64 percent from the floor. He also had three assists and a steal in the Stanford victory. This young man has taken a jump every year he’s been at Stanford and seems to be getting better all the time. His production on both ends of the floor and his versatility cannot be denied. His length and athleticism makes him a unique player and one of the most interesting talents in the conference. If he can keep up this level of play, he will draw a lot of attention his way.
Who’s Hot
Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes defeated USC convincingly 78-57 on February 1st. They had a great shooting night against the Trojans as a team. Colorado also put the pressure on defensively holding USC to just 37 percent shooting from the field. McKinley Wright IV and Tyler Bey are the biggest reasons why this Colorado team is hot right now. Wright did a little of everything for his team scoring 12 points to go along with eight assists, six boards, and four steals. He also went a perfect 6-6 from the foul line which is worth mentioning. Tyler Bey had 16 points on 6-9 shooting from the field as well as seven rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. Don’t look now but this Colorado squad is tied for second place in the Pac-12 with an overall record of 17-5.
Who’s Not
Washington Huskies
The Huskies have lost their last five games in a row and it is simply unclear right now if they will turn things around. This team now has the worst record in the conference at 2-8. Washington lost by just three points to Arizona on January 30th. Isaiah Stewart who usually performs much better shot just 3/13 from the field and Jaden McDaniels shot 5/13. The Huskies as a team also had 17 turnovers to just 10 by the Wildcats. Another heartbreaking loss came against Arizona State on February 1st. The Sun Devils beat the Huskies in a number of statistics by a little margin but it ended up being the difference in the four-point loss for Washington. The Sun Devils won the rebound battle 42 to 33. They shot over six percent better from the foul line and seven percent better from the field. Maybe Washington can bounce back with these last couple off losses coming by just a couple points, or maybe this losing streak will continue.
Top 5 Two-way Players in the Pac-12
The 6’9 Trojan freshman is having an excellent year all around in many facets of his game. Okongwu averages just under 17 points per game on the year shooting 60 percent from the field as well as 9.1 rebounds per game. What is so impressive about his game is that he produces at a high level on offense but he also personally accounts for four turnovers for his opponents on average per game. That equates to three blocks per game and a steal per game for those keeping count at home. He should be quite a draw as the draft inches closer.
2. Tres Tinkle
The 6’7 Oregon State Beaver is no stranger to this Pac-12 blog with the production he’s had not just this year but the last couple of years. The fifth year senior is averaging over 19 points per contest on 46 percent shooting and 37 percent from beyond the 3-point line. He also accounts for just under seven rebounds per game as well as two steals per game for the year. Tinkle is a very versatile player who can play more than one position on offense and defense and can score in a number of ways or find cutting teammates.
3. Tyler Bey
The 6’7 junior from Las Vegas is one of the most versatile players in the Pac-12. His abilities work perfectly with McKinley Wright IV where they can play off of one another quite a bit. Bey is averaging 13.3 points per game on the year on over 52 percent shooting as well as 8.9 rebounds per contest. He can score in a number of ways on the offensive end either shooting the basketball or penetrating the basket where he can either attack the rim or kick it out to shooters. He also gets after it on the defensive end averaging 1.3 blocked shots and 1.7 steals per game. He is a big reason for Colorado being where they are in the standings.
4. Remy Martin
At just 6’0, this young man is averaging over 19 points per game on the season as well as 1.8 steals per game which is 3rd in the Pac-12. He has a very quick first step and a solid defender for his size with a real nose for the basketball. He is very effective on the offensive side of the ball where he is even more dangerous with the ball in hands given his playmaking ability. If he can become a more consistent shooter from deep, his numbers could improve even more.
5. Chris Duarte
In less than 30 minutes per game, the 6’6 Oregon junior is averaging 14.3 points per game. He is able to knock the three ball down shooting 37 percent on the year. Duarte grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and defensively he averages 1.7 steals. He has shown he is capable of erupting for 30 points some nights. With how active he is on the defensive end, and given his length, his skills on offense allow him to be one of the more dangerous players in the Pac-12. It doesn’t have to be just Payton Pritchard always leading the way for the Ducks. Duarte can do it as well.