Dane Miller’s Preseason All-Conference Hoops Teams

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Posted on October 12, 2021


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports

The Men’s Basketball season kicks off in one month, as the Pac-12 looks to build on its dominant performance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

The preseason hype revs into full gear on Wednesday, with the Pac-12 Media Day set to take place in San Francisco.

All-Conference teams and preseason rankings will be released at the event, but I wanted to get my selections and rankings out before the announcement.

My All-Conference and All-Freshman team projections are how I see the landscape in preseason. You’ll find my Preseason Hoops Power Rankings here.

So, without further ado, here are my Preseason All-Conference and All-Freshman team selections, along with my pick for Coach of the Year.

All-Conference Team

Johnny Juzang, UCLA
6-7, 215, Junior Guard

The leader of UCLA enters the 2021-22 season after averaging 16.0 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per night in his first year in Westwood.

Juzang put up 28 and 29 points in the Elite 8 and Final Four, almost single-handily willing the Bruins to the National Championship game.

A streaky shooter at times, the guard is a preseason favorite for the Pac-12’s Player of the Year honor.

Will Richardson, Oregon
6-5, 180, Senior Guard

The Ducks’ primary point guard enters the season having missed half of Oregon’s games in 2020-21 due to a wrist injury.

Despite the setback, Richardson averaged 11.3 points per game and 3.9 assists per contest.

As the clear leader of the Oregon roster, his assist-to-turnover ratio should be among the top in the Pac-12 this season.

Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
6-6, 210, Sophomore Guard

Earning his way into the starting lineup at the midway point of the season, Mathurin finished the year averaging 10.8 points per game while shooting 47.1% from the field.

Entering his sophomore season, the Canadian wing is set to take advantage of Tommy Lloyd’s free-flowing “European Style” offensive concepts.

Jabari Walker, Colorado
6-8, 200, Sophomore Forward

As one of the Pac-12’s most efficient shooters, Walker is a master shot selector.

Shooting 52.3% from three in his first year in Boulder, the 6-foot-8 big is a matchup nightmare.

Averaging just 14.2 minutes per game in 2020-21, the sophomore figures to have a breakout year and could end up leading the Pac-12 in scoring.

Efe Abogidi, Washington State
6-10, 225, Sophomore Forward

The Nigerian-born big man made a name for himself in his freshman season on the Palouse.

Abogidi averaged 8.9 points per game on 49.1% shooting, but his 7.2 rebounds per night and 1.3 blocks per contest is what set him apart.

With more weapons around him this year, the WSU star should be in the running for the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

All-Freshman Team

Harrison Ingram, Stanford
6-8, 230, Freshman Forward

The five-star small forward is rated as the 18th-best prospect in the Class of 2021, according to 247Sports.

Ingram chose the Cardinal over Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Baylor, and UCLA among others.

Projected to start every game, his contribution on both sides of the ball should be felt from the opening tip.

Enoch Boakye, Arizona State
6-10, 240, Freshman Center

Rated as a five-star center according to 247Sports, the Canadian big reclassified to the Class of 2021 and joined the Sun Devils over the summer.

His addition marks the second five-star recruit Bobby Hurley has landed in as many years.

Peyton Watson, UCLA
6-8, 200, Freshman Guard/Forward

As the nation’s No. 11 recruit according to 247Sports, Watson is the real deal.

Despite the loaded UCLA roster, he should contribute early and often on both sides of the court.

Projected as a First Round draft pick, the freshman should set himself apart as one of the top players in the Pac-12.

Nathan Bittle, Oregon
6-11, 200, Freshman Center

The Oregon-native is a five-star prospect and the No. 3 center in the Class of 2021, according to 247Sports.

Projected as a First Round draft pick, his ability to knock down outside shots is what separates him from others in his class.

K.J. Simpson, Colorado
6-2, 175, Freshman Guard

Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 7 combo guard, according to 247Sports, the former Arizona commit is set to light it up in Boulder.

The departure of McKinley Wright IV creates an opportunity for the guard to seize his role from Game One.

Simpson’s defense is the X-Factor that distinguishes him from other freshmen guards in the Pac-12.

Coach of the Year
Kyle Smith, Washington State

The expectations in Pullman have changed as Smith has the Cougars on a trajectory to make the NCAA Tournament in 2021-22.

Strong recruiting classes and “smart ball” basketball revitalized the Washington State program during his first two years.

And with the depth necessary to contend in the Pac-12 this season, an invitation to the Big Dance isn’t an outside hope: It’s a legitimate expectation.

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