Pac-12 Midseason Report Card

No. 2 UCLA has garnered most of the attention this season and deservedly so. The Bruins are undefeated (13-0) and have electrified college basketball with their high-octane offense, and already have marquee wins against Kentucky, Michigan, Texas A&M and Ohio State.

Although the conference does not possess the overall depth it had last year, the Pac-12 currently boasts four schools—UCLA, Arizona (No. 18), Oregon (21) and USC (22)—in the AP top 25. And a handful of other teams (Cal, Colorado, Stanford, and Utah) look like legitimate NCAA tournament teams but will need a strong showing in conference play if they hope to go dancing in March.

Let’s take a look at each team and see where they stand at the midway point of the season.

(Teams are listed in alphabetical order):

Arizona (11-2 record) | Midseason Grade: B+

Top Performer: Lauri Markkanen – The freshman forward has lived up to the hype as the 5-star prospect coming out of Finland. A smooth 7-footer with remarkable agility, Markkanen has been the Wildcat’s most consistent player this season averaging 16.1 points and 7.3 boards per game, while playing all three frontcourt positions. With a versatile skill set and sweet looking jumper, it’s not surprising he’s often compared to NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki.

Good News: Despite the loss of forward Ray Smith (career-ending knee injury) and the peculiar saga of Alonzo Trier’s ineligible status, coach Sean Miller has found a way to stay competitive this season. Despite being limited to only seven scholarship players for a bulk of the non-conference season, Arizona hasn’t missed a beat, posting impressive wins over Michigan State and Texas A&M. In addition to Markkanen, the Wildcats have gotten significant contributions from true freshmen Rawle Alkins (12.4 PPG) and Kobi Simmons (12.2 PPG). Arizona should get a big boost once starting point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright returns to action, which should be right around the corner.

Reason for Concern: Unless Trier returns to action soon, Arizona will only have eight scholarship players for the remainder of the season. And despite having a talented starting five, there is a significant drop-off when Miller goes to his bench. In a conference like the Pac-12, the Wildcats’ lack of depth may be too difficult to overcome.

Arizona State (7-6 record) | Midseason Grade: C-

Top Performer: Obinna Oleka – The rugged power forward has been a bright spot for Arizona State, averaging a double-double (13.1 points and 10.8 rebounds) thus far. Often playing out of position at center, the 6-foot-7 Oleka has provided toughness and energy to a young and inexperienced Sun Devil front line.

Good News: This team has no shortage of scorers, with four players averaging more than 13 points per contest. The Sun Devils are a perimeter-oriented team and have a potent trio of guards in Torian Graham (17.8 PPG), Tra Holder (16.8 PPG) and Shannon Evans (15.9 PPG) who are amongst the league-leaders in scoring. When ASU’s outside shots are falling, they are an extremely difficult team to defend. Despite a lackluster non-conference record, the Sun Devils should be ready for Pac-12 play after a brutal OOC schedule that included: Kentucky, Purdue, Creighton and San Diego State.

Reason for Concern: Arizona State lives and dies by the three-ball, and when it’s not falling, their offense has looked abysmal at times. In addition to streaky shooting, the Sun Devils are among the worst defensive teams in the conference. ASU’s defense allows opponents to score 81.7 points per game and shoot 45.8 percent from the field, both of which rank dead last in the conference.

California (9-3 record) | Midseason Grade: B-

Top Performer: Charlie Moore – It became quickly apparent that coach Cuonzo Martin had found a special player in his freshman point guard. In only his second game as a collegiate, Moore exploded for 38 points—a Cal freshman record—in an overtime win against UC-Irvine. The speedy guard has exceeded nearly everyone’s expectations during his first year in Berkeley, averaging a team-high 16.1 points and 3.3 assists per contest.

Good News: California is a veteran-laden team that has enough talent, depth and versatility to make some noise this season. Aside from Moore, the Bears have one of the league’s best post players in Ivan Rabb (14.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG) and one of its best wings in Jabari Bird (15.7 PPG). As a team, they have excelled on the defensive end of the floor, limiting opponents to 59.3 points per game on a mere 36.6 percent from the floor, which both rank atop the conference. If they can become more efficient on the offensive end, they have the makings of a NCAA Tournament squad.

Reason for Concern: The Bears struggle to shoot the ball effectively, especially from the charity stripe, where they shoot a league-worst 64 percent. In close matchups, this deficiency could pose a problem. Another concern is Cal’s current tourney résumé. Despite being competitive in their three losses—San Diego State, Seton Hall, and Virginia respectively—the Bears have only one win against a top-100 opponent (Wyoming). They need to secure a few signature victories if they hope to make the NCAA Tournament.

Colorado (10-3 record) | Midseason Grade: B

Top Performer: Derrick White – The senior wing, who transferred from Division II school UC-Colorado Springs, has been one of the Pac-12’s biggest surprises. Coach Tad Boyle raved about his wing last season when he was sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules. However, the entire college basketball world is now aware of Boyle’s hidden gem. White’s versatility has been on full display this season. He leads the Buffs in scoring, steals, assists and field goal percentage.

Good News: Perhaps no team in the conference is more experienced than Colorado, who has four fifth-year seniors –White, Wesley Gordon, Xavier Johnson and Josh Fortune—on its squad. That leadership was evident in the Buffs’ thrilling 68-66 win over Xavier, who was ranked 13th at the time. In addition to experience, Boyle has the luxury of a solid bench that can go eleven players deep.

Reason for Concern: Simply put, the Buffaloes struggle to put the ball in the hole. Their 43.8 percent from the field is toward the bottom of the Pac-12 (only Stanford shoots worse). Many of Colorado’s offensive struggles stem from a lack of a true point guard. At times this season, the Buffs’ offense has looked stagnant in the half-court set, with poor ball movement being the chief culprit.

Oregon (11-2 record) | Midseason Grade: B

Top Performer: Chris Boucher—The 6-foot-10 senior forward has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Ducks this season (14.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 BPG, 35.5% 3PT). When he’s not swatting shots on the defensive end, Boucher is equally comfortable dunking or stepping behind the 3-point line to showcase his versatility. His unique skill set and explosive athleticism have NBA GM’s drooling over his long-term potential.

Good News: The Ducks have as much firepower as any team in the country, with five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Boucher and sophomore guard Tyler Dorsey. Oregon’s length and athleticism allow them to create havoc on the other end of the floor as well, where they rank 17th nationally in defensive efficiency (according to KenPom.com). They have the talent and depth to make a deep run in the tourney, even if they haven’t lived up to their preseason hype thus far.

Reason for Concern: Despite a solid 11-2 record, Oregon doesn’t look like the well-oiled machine that advanced to the Elite Eight last season, and was projected to win the conference this year. They appear to have more talent on this season’s roster, but they haven’t displayed the type of chemistry that made last year’s squad so dangerous.

Oregon State (4-9 record) | Midseason Grade: D-

Top Performer: Drew Eubanks—The energetic post player has been a steadying force in the middle for Oregon State, who has played significant stretches of the non-conference schedule without its two top players. The rising sophomore is averaging 13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, and has emerged as one of the Pac-12’s top big men.

Good News: Oregon State has not been at full strength since the season opener, but that should change very soon. Stephen Thompson Jr., who returned from an ankle injury after missing six games, is almost 100 percent healthy. And the Beavers’ leader scorer Tres Tinkle, who missed the last seven games, is expected to return in early January. Once they are both healthy, that should instantly give Oregon State more firepower. In their absence, the Beavers have been pleasantly surprised with the contributions from freshmen guards Jaquori McLaughlin and Kendal Manuel.

Reason for Concern: Oregon State is one of only two Power Five conference teams currently have a losing record (the other is Missouri). In fact, the Beavers’ 4-9 mark is the nation’s worst among teams from a Power Five conference. One can argue that the Oregon State’s failures are due to the rash of injuries, but even at full strength, there are legitimate concerns about the team’s overall talent.

Stanford (8-4 record) | Midseason Grade: C+

Top Performer: Reid Travis—After battling injuries during his first two seasons, the junior post player has managed to stay healthy this season – and the results have been impressive. Travis, a bruising 6-foot-9 power forward, has been a menace in the paint averaging 17.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. He has also been more of a vocal leader for the Cardinal this season.

Good News: It’s been a fairly smooth transition for first-year head coach Jerod Haase, who inherited a team stockpiled with upperclassmen. The veteran leadership and newfound commitment to defense have allowed Stanford to become a solid defensive unit, which is a stark contrast to recent Cardinal teams. Aside from Travis, Stanford has been led by junior wing Dorian Pickens (13.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 47.1% 3-PT), who is enjoying a breakout season.

Reason for Concern: Stanford is the worst shooting team (43.3 percent from the field) in the conference, and has struggled to put up points. In fact, only two Cardinal players (Travis and Pickens) average in double figures. If Stanford has any plans of competing for a postseason tournament, they will need bigger contributions from the rest of the group.

UCLA (13-0 record) | Midseason Grade: A

Top Performer: Lonzo Ball—Arguably no player in college hoops has had more a more significant impact this season than Ball. Despite arriving at UCLA with sky-high expectations, the freshman point guard has lived up to all the hype, posting a ridiculous stat line (13.7 PPG, 8.3 APG, 5.8 RPG). Watching him run UCLA’s offense is like watching a famous conductor lead an orchestra. It’s simply a thing of beauty.

Good News: Two freshmen—Ball and forward TJ Leaf—have transformed UCLA into the nation’s most dangerous offensive team. The Bruins lead the nation in assists (23.6 per game) and is second in points scored (95.8 per game) while playing an up-tempo style that would make Magic and the Showtime Lakers proud. Ball is clearly running the show, but he has plenty of weapons at his disposal: Leaf (17.5 PPG), Isaac Hamilton (16.8 PPG), Bryce Alford (16.4 PPG), Aaron Holiday (14.5 PPG) and Thomas Welsh (11.1 PPG). It’s hard to believe, but with 13 only games under their belt as a collective unit, UCLA’s best basketball might still be ahead.

Reason for Concern: It’s difficult to find too many flaws with the nation’s second-ranked team, but one area for concern is the bench. The Bruins typically use an eight-man rotation and after Holiday, the team’s super sixth man, there is a significant drop-off in talent. Staying healthy and avoiding foul trouble is paramount for UCLA the rest of the way.

USC (13-0) | Midseason Grade: A

Top Performer: Jordan McLaughlin—Always known for his ability to score, the junior point guard has become more efficient this season. McLaughlin is averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting nearly 52 percent from the field. He is also taking better care of the ball—averaging 5.2 assists and only 1.8 turnovers, while logging 34.2 minutes per contest.

Good News: USC’s hot start has largely been without the services of Bennie Boatwright, the team’s best offensive player, who has been out since late November with a knee sprain. He isn’t expected to return for another month, but the Trojans have quietly rolled along notching non-conference wins against Texas A&M, SMU, and Wyoming. In Boatwright’s absence, the team has relied on McLaughlin, guard Elijah Stewart (15.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG) and post Chimezie Metu (13.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG), who have all performed like all-conference players.

Reason for Concern: The Trojans are incredibly young, with six of their nine rotation players being freshmen or sophomores. Although USC has been battle-tested early in the season, conference play is a different animal, and it remains to be seen if the Trojans’ young players can withstand the grind of the Pac-12 schedule.

Utah (9-3 record) | Midseason Grade: C

Top Performer: Kyle Kuzma—One of college basketball’s most versatile players, the junior forward continues to expand his game. At 6-foot-9, Kuzma is the consummate inside-out threat that can inflict damage from a variety of angles. Look for Utah’s offense to continue to go through Kuzma (14.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG) as they enter Pac-12 play.

Good News: Utah received a huge boost when mid-season transfers David Collette and Sedrick Barefield became eligible in mid-December. Both players became instant starters and provide coach Larry Krystowiak with two additional weapons. As a team, the Utes have been efficient on offense, while playing scrappy defense on the other end, which has become the calling card for this program under Krystowiak. Senior wing Lorenzo Bonam (13.5 PPG, 58.2 FG%) has been a steadying force on the perimeter, while first-year players JoJo Zamora and Devon Daniels have been pleasant surprises.

Reason for Concern: The Utes’ 9-3 record is somewhat deceiving considering two of those victories came against non-Division 1 opponents. Furthermore, Utah’s best win to date is against Utah Valley who has an RPI of 199. Utah could be fool’s gold, or at the very least, have hampered their postseason chances with their weak non-conference schedule. They will undoubtedly need to capture some résumé-boosting wins in Pac-12 play.

Washington (7-5 record) | Midseason Grade: C-

Top Performer: Markelle Fultz—The electric guard has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Huskies this season. He averages a league-best 22 points per game, and is among the league leaders in assists (6.3 per game) and steals (1.8 per game). If that’s not impressive enough, his 6.2 rebounds per contest are best among all Pac-12 guards. Okay, you get the picture. This guy is special.

Good News: Washington’s athleticism and scoring ability are among the best in the conference. They can get up and down the floor with anyone, and have no problem scoring (86.3 PPG) in bunches. They are also a lethal threat from beyond the arc, shooting a league-best 43.4 percent from three-point range. If the Huskies can force opponents into a track meet, they have a good chance of being successful in conference play. Aside from Fultz, Washington has led by the young nucleus of guard David Crisp (14.3 PPG), post Noah Dickerson (12 PPG), and wings Matisse Thybulle (10.4 PPG) and Dominic Green (9.6 PPG).

Reason for Concern: The Huskies’ porous defense. According to KenPom.com, their defensive efficiency is ranked 214th nationally—and dead last in the Pac-12. They give up 80.2 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 43.4 percent from the field (only Arizona State has been worse in these categories). Unless Washington makes huge strides on the defensive end, it could be a long season ahead.

Washington State (7-5 record) | Midseason Grade: D+

Top Performer: Josh Hawkinson—The 6-10 forward has been a double-double machine over the last few years and this season is no different. Hawkinson is averaging a team-high 15.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest. The senior post player has also been the emotional leader for Washington State, playing with energy and passion on every play.

Good News: Coach Ernie Kent has four senior starters—Hawkinson, Ike Iroegbu, Conor Clifford and Charles Callison—who have set the tone for the Cougars this season. It hasn’t always been pretty, but it appears the team is buying into Kent’s philosophy and competing hard. However, it’s not a senior, but rather a freshman, that has been the season’s most pleasant surprise. Starting point guard Malachi Flynn (11.3 PPG, 3 APG) has been entrusted with running the team and he has looked impressive. His emergence gives Washington State fans hope for the future.

Reason for Concern: Washington State simply doesn’t have the talent to compete this season. Although the program has made small strides under Kent, it may be a couple of years until they are capable of competing with the upper echelon of the Pac-12 conference.

It’s always tough to hand out midseason awards because the real season hasn’t even begun, but we’ll try our best to do so. Keep in mind, these awards are a reflection of what has already unfolded, not predictions for the rest of the season.

Without further ado, here’s our version of the Pac-12 honor roll:

Best Player: Lonzo Ball, UCLA

Best Freshman: Lonzo Ball, UCLA

Best Defensive Player: Chris Boucher, Oregon

Best Newcomer (Transfer): Derrick White, Colorado

Best Coaching Performance: Andy Enfield, USC

First Team: Second Team:

Lonzo Ball, UCLA Chris Boucher, Oregon

Markelle Fultz, Washington Isaac Hamilton, UCLA

TJ Leaf, UCLA Elijah Stewart, USC

Lauri Markkanen, Arizona Reid Travis, Stanford

Jordan McLaughlin, USC Derrick White, Colorado