Welcome to the Hotlineβs assessment of Pac-12 basketball at the midway point of the conference season:
Top story I: March headwinds
The Pac-12βs poor non-conference showing predictably has led to a bleak outlook for Selection Sunday. Arizona and UCLA are the lone locks while a handful of teams are on various sides of the bubble. This could be a two-bid league, folks, unless Arizona State, Utah, USC, Oregon or Colorado β or a combination therein β gets hot down the stretch. Meanwhile, both the Big Ten and Big 12 are on pace for at least eight bids.
Top story II: Offensive offense
Only three teams rank in the top 50 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (i.e., points per possession), according to the respected analytics site KenPom.com: No. 11 Arizona, No. 21 UCLA and No. 44 Oregon. That’s the worst showing, by far, of any Power Six conference. We have watched more than enough action to conclude the missed shots and wasted possessions are not solely the result of good defense.
Top story III: Hot seats
At least three coaches are facing uncertain futures based on performance to date: Calβs Mark Fox, Stanfordβs Jerod Haase and Washingtonβs Mike Hopkins, with Oregon Stateβs Wayne Tinkle also struggling for wins and momentum. Itβs tough to imagine a quiet spring on the coaching carousel, but Pac-12 schools have surprised us before with their willingness to accept a bad situation, particularly in the Bay Area.
Top team: UCLA
The Bruins hold a two-game lead in the loss column but stand as the clear frontrunner for the No. 1 seed in the Pac-12 tournament. No other team can approach their consistency β Arizona has lost three games by double digits β or their balance. They are solid on both ends of the court and equally capable of scoring inside and outside.
Worst team: Stanford, Cal and Oregon State
Itβs difficult to pick just one β they have all looked helpless at times. But our suspicion is the Bears will end the season in last place and wear the badge of dishonor (the No. 12 seed) in Las Vegas.
Craig Smith is in his second year as head coach at Utah. The Utes were 4-16 in the conference last year; currently, Utah is two games behind first-place UCLA.
Top coach: Utahβs Craig Smith
The Utes were 4-16 in the Pac-12 last season β Smithβs first in charge after replacing Larry Krystkowiak β and picked to finish 10th this year in the preseason media poll. But Smith has crafted a lineup that plays stout defense and does just enough offensively to feast on the bottom half of the conference. At the halfway point, Utah is tied for second place (in the loss column), two games behind UCLA. Also considered: ASUβs Bobby Hurley
Top player: Arizona F Azuolas Tubelis
The sophomore continues to thrive in coach Tommy Lloydβs system, leading the conference in scoring (19.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.5 rpg). And despite the high volume of shot attempts, his efficiency has been off the charts: Tubelis is shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. Add contributions on defense, and heβs doing it all. Also considered: Utah C Branden Carlson and UCLA F Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Top defensive player: UCLA G Jaylen Clark
No player disrupts the game with his defense as consistently as Clark, who is superb in man-to-man situations, averages seven rebounds per game and leads the conference in steals with 2.7 per game. (Nobody else is even close.) We can think of at least one Pac-12 secondary that could use his coverage skills. Also considered: USC C Kobe Johnson and ASU G Frankie Collins
Top freshman: UCLA F Adem Bona
Bruins guard Amari Bailey would have been the choice if not for his ongoing absence resulting from a foot injury. Bonaβs impact has been impressive, especially with the length and athleticism he brings to the frontcourt rotation. Overall, this is the least impressive Pac-12 freshman class we can remember. Also considered: Oregon State G Jordan Pope and UCLA G Amari Bailey
Washington forward Keion Brooks, the possible top transfer,Β is averaging 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds. Brooks transferred from Kentucky.
Top transfer: Washington F Keion Brooks
The former Kentucky starter has been as productive as anticipated for the Huskies, averaging 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds for a team lacking in quality support options. Opponents know Brooks is the No. 1 option and have still struggled to stop him. Also considered: ASUβs Desmond Cambridge
