Whatever Caleb Love is missing out on in Pac-12 Player of the Week awards this season, he might more than make up for next week.
The Arizona guard appears the leading candidate for the conference’s Player of the Year award, especially if he helps the Wildcats win a final league title this week, despite getting the weekly award only once after six nominations this season.
Arizona nominated Love again this week after he led the Wildcats to wins at ASU and against Oregon at McKale Center. The senior transfer from North Carolina averaged 19.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists while turning the ball over only three times in the two games.
But Utah guard Deivon Smith picked up the weekly award after averaging 15.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 11.5 assists in the Utes’ homecourt wins over Stanford and Cal — including a triple-double against the Cardinal.
In the Player of the Year award race, Love and Colorado guard KJ Simpson appear firmly in the lead. A former UA signee who flipped to the Buffs after then-UA coach Sean Miller was fired in 2021, Simpson is fourth in scoring (19.8), third in assists (4.8) and third in steals (1.6) during conference games.
Love is second in scoring (21.2) behind only Washington’s Keion Brooks (22.0) during conference games — and first in 3-pointers made (3.2) – but Simpson’s 3-point percentage of 43.6 ranks fourth in the Pac-12 while Love is in 12th at 39.0%.
Arizona's Oumar Ballo, center, has a good chance of being named to the Pac-12's 10-player first team next week.
Worth noting: While media who regularly cover the Pac-12 vote for the weekly honors, the conference’s head coaches select the annual awards, and historically they have shown a preference for players on teams at the top of the conference if all else is roughly equal.
The coaches also vote 10 players onto the Pac-12’s all-league first team, meaning Love could be joined not only by UA center Oumar Ballo but possibly also wing Pelle Larsson and/or forward Keshad Johnson when the conference's annual awards are announced early next week.
An Arizona conference championship could also help sophomore guard Jaden Bradley in a Sixth Man of the Year race against Washington's Korea Johnson.
Johnson has played starters’ minutes off the bench for Washington, averaging more than four points a game more than Bradley (10.5 to 5.9) while ranking 11th in assists (3.2) and eighth in steals (1.3).
But Bradley is shooting 44.4% from 3-point range, compared with Johnson’s 35.6%, and is rated the No. 1 player in the Pac-12 in overall offensive and defensive performance on a per-possession basis by Evanmiya.com.
UA guard KJ Lewis, meanwhile, is rated the Pac-12’s eighth-best player overall on a per-possession basis on Evanmiya.com, but will have stiff competition to make the five-player all-freshman team.
WSU’s Myles Rice is a lock for Freshman of the Year, while other top all-freshman candidates include USC’s Isaiah Collier, Oregon’s Kwame Evans, Stanford’s Kanaan Carlyle, Colorado’s Cody Williams, UCLA’s Sebastian Mack, USC’s Bronny James and WSU’s Rueben Chinyelu.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis, left, will have stiff competition to make the five-player all-freshman team for the Pac-12.
Rim shots
- Arizona rose one spot to No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Monday, while Tennessee remained at No. 4. The Wildcats and Volunteers have been vying for the final No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed, with UA receiving it in ESPN's latest projection and CBS giving it to Tennessee.
- Houston, UConn and Purdue remain expected to earn the other three No. 1 seeds, as they had in the NCAA's early reveal on Feb. 17, and the three remain at the top of the AP poll. Houston is in the No. 1 spot while Purdue and UConn flipped, with the Huskies moving to No. 2 and the Boilermakers at No. 3.
- Collier was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after averaging 27.5 points in the Trojans’ loss at Washington State and win at Washington. Collier and guard Boogie Ellis, USC’s top two scorers, were out when Arizona beat USC 82-67 on Jan. 17 at McKale but have been back in the Trojans’ lineup recently.
- UA coach Tommy Lloyd and his wife, Chanelle, traveled to Flagstaff on Monday evening to be on hand for their son, Liam, who was playing for NAU in its final home game against Northern Colorado.
VIDEO: With an introduction from coach Tommy Lloyd, Arizona men's basketball seniors Grant Weitman, Keshad Johnson, Caleb Love, Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson speak to fans in McKale Center Saturday on Senior Day following the Wildcats' win over Oregon in the final home game of the 2023-24 season. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
Photos: No. 6 Arizona wins 103-83 over Oregon, Pac-12 men's basketball
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets two points over Oregon Ducks guard Kario Oquendo (0) during a Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (2) dunks the ball after a breakaway against the Oregon Ducks in a Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) takes a three-point shot during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) runs to the ball after Oregon Ducks guard Jadrian Tracey (22) loses possession in a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) dribbles by Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1) during the first half of a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Grant Weitman (15) puts pressure on the Oregon Ducks guard Jadrian Tracey (22) during the first half of the Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Kylan Boswell (4), Pelle Larsson (3), Oumar Ballo (11), Keshad Johnson (16), and Caleb Love (2) huddle up during the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson throws his arms in celebration after he makes a 3-point shot during the Wildcats' 103-83 victory over Oregon on Saturday.
Players watch as Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) blocks a dunk attempt from Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) during a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis (5) works around Oregon Ducks forward Mahamadou Diawara (24) to guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) in a Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s head coach Tommy Lloyd talks to his team from the sidelines during the Pac-12 game against the Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Keshad Johnson (16) dunks the ball during the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) looks to pass the ball over Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) during a Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats Pelle Larsson (3) and Caleb Love (2) talk during a timeout in the Pac-12 game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) earns the Wildcats 3 points during the first half of the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Grant Weitman (15) grabs the rebound during the first half of the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) dribbles the ball by Oregon Ducks guard Jackson Shelstad (3) during a Pac-12 game, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) earns the Wildcats 2-points during a Pac-12 game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats forward Keshad Johnson (16) passes the ball to Pelle Larsson (3) during the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) swats at the ball while he defends Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) in a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) takes a shot during the first half of the Pac-12 game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman has some words with the referee after a foul was called on the Ducks in the Pac-12 game against the Wildcats, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) tries to stop Oregon Ducks guard Jadrian Tracey (22) as he drives to the basket, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Keshad Johnson (16) prepares to shoot the ball against Oregon Ducks defenders in the Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Kylan Boswell (4) attempts to get by Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1) to block Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad (3) from getting two-points, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) looks to pass the ball during a Pac-12 game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s head coach Tommy Lloyd has some words with the referee after a foul is called on the Wildcats in the Pac-12 game against the Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) high-fives fans after the Wildcats take a 103-83 win over the Oregon Ducks at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024. Keshad Johnson scored his 1000th career point against the Ducks.
Arizona guard Conrad Martinez (55) dribbles down the court in the second half of the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo (11) helps Pelle Larsson (3) after he is fouled in the first half of the Pac-12 game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Grant Weitman (15) hugs head coach Tommy Lloyd after he exits the court in his senior night game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) puts his arms up to block Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) in a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) high fives Oumar Ballo (11) as he subs into the second half of the game against Oregon, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (2) attempts to push through three Oregon defenders on his way to the net during first half of a Pac-12 game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) wins the tip off against the Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1), McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo (11) greets Caleb Love (2) before the start of their final home game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Kylan Boswell (4) and the Wildcats leave the court with smiles after the 103-83 win against Oregon at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd greets Pelle Larsson (3) during the game against the Oregon Ducks at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) hugs his mother in the stands after the Wildcats beat Oregon 103-83 at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
The five student athletes and team managers stand at center court with their families and head coach Tommy Lloyd during the Wildcats Senior Day pregame ceremony, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Grant Weitman (15) stands at center court with his family and head coach Tommy Lloyd during the Wildcats Senior Day pregame ceremony, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) stands at center court with his family and head coach Tommy Lloyd during the Wildcats Senior Day pregame ceremony, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) hugs his father at center during the Wildcats Senior Day pregame ceremony, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) stands at center court with his family and head coach Tommy Lloyd during the Wildcats Senior Day pregame ceremony, McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Oumar Ballo, left, stands at center court with his family and Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd during the UA’s Senior Day ceremony at McKale Center on March 2.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd gives a short speech after Arizona beats Oregon 103-83 in the senior night game at McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) delivers a speech to the Wildcat fans after his last game inside of the McKale Memorial Center, March 3, 2024.
Arizona’s Caleb Love (2) delivers a speech to Wildcat fans after the 103-83 win over Oregon in his final game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Oumar Ballo (11) delivers a speech to Wildcat fans after the 103-83 win over Oregon in his final game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Grant Weitman (15) delivers a speech to Wildcat fans after the 103-83 win over Oregon in his final game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona’s Keshad Johnson (16) delivers a speech to Wildcat fans after the 103-83 win over Oregon in his final game at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Kenny Lofton, a former University of Arizona basketball and baseball player hugs Erika Barnes, the UofA Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics during his Ring of Honor ceremony at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Kenny Lofton, a former University of Arizona basketball and baseball player, speaks to the media before his Ring of Honor ceremony during halftime at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Kenny Lofton, a former University of Arizona basketball and baseball player smiles with his family and Erika Barnes, the UofA Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics during his Ring of Honor ceremony at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Kenny Lofton has his name raised in the University of Arizona men's basketball Ring of Honor at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) takes practice shots before the start of the Pac-12 game against Oregon at the McKale Memorial Center, March 2, 2024. The Wildcats Senior Day will honor five student-athletes during a pregame ceremony.
