ESPN’s Pac-12 basketball preseason projections; USC likely to be an NCAA Tournament team
The 2022-2023 college basketball season is right around the corner. There are plenty of talented teams once again in the Pac-12.
The USC Trojans saw Isaiah Mobley and Chevez Goodwin leave Los Angeles, but there are still a lot of positive components on Andy Enfield’s newest team.
With the season beginning, let’s examine the Pac-12 preseason predictions, courtesy of ESPN.
To nobody’s surprise, the UCLA Bruins are the favorites to win the Pac-12 Conference. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the consensus conference player of the year after he decided to wait one more year to enter the NBA.
Here’s the projections for the 2022-2023 season, with each team listed in the projected order of finish in the standings:
UCLA BRUINS
Jan 6, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Peyton Watson (23) and guard Jaylen Clark (0) defend a shot by Long Beach State 49ers Aboubacar Traore (25) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
ARIZONA WILDCATS
Mar 18, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd (right) talks to a referee against the Wright State Raiders during the first half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
OREGON DUCKS
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman talks with his team during a timeout against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USC TROJANS
Jan 15, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans players gather around head coach Andy Enfield during a time out in the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
STANFORD CARDINAL
Feb 3, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Jerod Haase on the sideline during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
Jan 2, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard DJ Horne (0) during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Feb 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington State Cougars forward DJ Rodman (11) fouls USC Trojans guard Boogie Ellis (0) in the second half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
Feb 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies guard Cole Bajema (22) shoots against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Dec 1, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
UTAH UTES
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 11: Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans is guarded by Riley Battin #21 of the Utah Utes during the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament on March 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
Jan 6, 2022; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears forward Kuany Kuany (13) attempts a three-point basket over Southern California Trojans forward Isaiah Mobley (3) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
Jan 13, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon State guard Beavers Dexter Akanno (3) catches an inbounds pass as Southern California Trojans guard Reese Dixon-Waters (21) defends in the second half at Galen Center. USC defeated OSU 81-71. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
