UCLA, Oregon teams to watch

Earlier this week we looked over the state's two Pac-12 men's basketball programs. Now, here's an overview of the rest of the conference as the 2020-21 season gets under way:

California

What to watch: The

Bears made progress in their first year under

Mark Fox, going from 8

23 overall and 3-15 in the Pac-12 to 14-18 and 7-11, including an upset of Stanford in first-round play at the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Cal returns nine of 13 scholarship players led by junior G Matt Bradley (17.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), a second-team All-Pac selection, and senior F Grant Anticevich (8.3 ppg 5.6 rpg). Transfers will help, the most notable being G Ryan Betley (12.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg) who made 169 3-pointers in 74 games at Pennsylvania. That's an area where Cal needed much help, having managed a conference-low 160 last season. His presence will make opponents come out and guard the perimeter, which should loosen things up inside. Cal's 63.2 points per game was last in the conference and 330th among Division I schools, so more offense is a priority.

Bottom line: PG Paris Austin was one of the few departures so the Bears are looking for a replacement there, the most likely candidate being sophomore Joel Brown, Austin's backup. Cal still doesn't have enough weapons to challenge the top-tier teams but have the pieces to finish above .500 and possibly make a run at an NIT berth. It would be the next step back to respectability.

Colorado

What to watch: The

Buffaloes were picked by many to win the conference last year but finished tied for fifth and played their way back to the bubble at the end of last season with five straight losses, one of those to No. 11 seed Washington State in first round of Pac-12 tournament play. Good news came, though, with PG McKinley Wright IV (14.4 ppg, 5 apg) pulling out of the draft and returning, joining G-F D'Shawn Schwartz (9.8 ppg) and F Earl Battey (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Veteran coach Tad Boyle also added two premier instate recruits in guards Luke O'Brien, the Colorado high school player of the year, and 6-5 G Dominque Clifford, both of whom should have an immediate impact. Among the other newcomers is 6-8 F Tristan da Silva, brother of Stanford all-conference standout Oscar da Silva.

Bottom line: The biggest void comes with the departure of Tyler Bey (13.8 ppg, 9 rpg) who left early for the NBA after earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. Tulsa transfer Jeriah Horne (11.1 ppg, 52 rpg), the first grad transfer Boyle has recruited to Colorado in his 10 years, will be asked to shoulder the load there. Colorado is not among the conference favorites this year but has the potential to earn the school's first NCAA bid since 2016.

Oregon

What to watch: Sure, the Ducks graduated Mr.

Clutch in PG Payton

Pritchard (20.5 ppg, 5.6 apg) but coach Dana Altman always reloads without missing a beat. G Chris Duarte (12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is the lone returning starter for the defending Pac-12 champions but junior G Will Richardson (11ppg) had a prominent role, finishing as the team's third-leading scorer despite coming off the bench. The team's depth and size took a hit by the transfers of 6-9 Francis Okoro (St. Louis) and 6-8 C.J. Walker (Central Florida) but did get help from six transfers, led by UNLV's Amauri Hardy (14.5 ppg). The Ducks also got 6-6 wing L.J. Figueroa (14.5 ppg) from St. John's, but his eligibility is pending. With all the transfers Oregon didn't have to rely on incoming freshmen but did get a quality one in four-star prospect Jalen Terry from Flint, Michigan.

Bottom line: The Ducks have seven NCAA tournament appearances in the past eight years and this team should be in the mix again. Oregon is seeking its fourth conference title in the past six years. Hardy will likely step into the role vacated by Pritchard. With so many new additions there may be some hiccups in the early going but it's a team capable of a deep postseason run.

Oregon State

What to watch: The

Beavers have a huge hole to fill as three-time firstteam All-Pac 12 selection

Tres Tinkle (18.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg) graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,233 points. Coach Wayne Tinkle returns three starters — All-Conference G Ethan Thompson (14.8 ppg, 4.5 apg), G Zach Reichle (7.9 ppg) and F Alfred Hollins (5.2 ppg). Sophomore Jarod Lucas could be the breakout performer this year after knocking down some clutch shots as a true freshman, one of those in the last second to defeat Utah in the opening game of the Pac-12 tournament. The Beavers added depth through the community college market, the key newcomer being 6-6 SG Tariq Silver, out of Tallahassee (Florida) Community College.

Bottom line: Despite having one of the elite players in the conference, Oregon State couldn't get over the hump, only advancing to the postseason once in his tenure, 2016. It will be tough for the Beavers to do so this season without Tinkle as well as shot blocker Kylor Kelley (11.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg). They need to improve on the boards (11th at 43.5 pg) as well as in 3-point shooting (9th at 32.5) if they're to make any noise in what is shaping up to be a competitive conference.

Southern California

What to watch: Big and new are the words appropriate for the Trojans, who lost 83.6 percent of their scoring and 72.9 percent of their rebounding. Among those gone is Onyeka Okngwu, who led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots in his only season as he is headed to the draft. The lone starter back is sophomore PG Ethan Anderson (5.5 ppg, 4.2 apg). The Trojans' biggest get is 6-11 C Evan Mobley, projected by some as the top pick in the 2021 draft. His landing at USC was no surprise with brother Isaiah Mobley, a 6-10 forward, already playing there and father Eric on Andy Enfield's coaching staff. Among the other newcomers are 6-11 Joshua Morgan (Long Beach State) and 6-9 Chevez Goodwin (Wofford). Junior G Noah Baumann is eligible after sitting out last year upon his transfer from San Jose State and could be the perimeter threat the Trojans needed after the graduation of Jonah Mathews (13.4 ppg).

Bottom line: The Trojans are going to be lacking experience but have tons of potential. There are solid bigs but how they fare will much depend on the guard play, so the further development of Anderson is key. USC will have to fare better at the line after making only 66.2 percent of its tries, last in the conference and 310th overall nationally. Turnovers were also an issue, which also points back to guard play.

Stanford

What to watch: The

Cardinal were the surprise team in the conference early on, only to falter late and play its way back to the bubble by losing seven of their last 11. This is a formidable contender with four of five starters back, the exception being PG Tyrell Terry (14.6 ppg) who opted to stay in the draft. F Oscar da Silva (15.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg) leads the cast of returners which also includes junior G Bryce Willis (7.8 ppg, 4 rpg), an All-Pac 12 defensive team selection. The newcomer of note is 6-8 G Ziaire Williams, out of Sierra Canyon (Calif.) where he played alongside LeBron James' son, Bronny. Williams is the first five-star prospect at Stanford since the Lopez twins in 2006. The Cardinal haven't advanced to the NCAA postseason since 2014 but that drought should end with a team that has experience, depth and talented playmakers.

Bottom line: The Cardinal have prided themselves on defense, allowing just 62.5 points per game, best in the conference and 16th among all schools. That should again be a trademark. Offensively they averaged 69.5, only 10th in the conference, but they were efficient, finishing second in both shooting percentage and 3-point percentage. That is a recipe for success.

UCLA

What to watch: The

Bruins officially are back.

They got off to an 8-9 start last season while learning to adapt to Mick Cronin's defensive-minded system. The buy-in showed as UCLA went 11-3 after Jan. 19 which included a seven-game win streak, with the Bruins finishing second in the Pac-12 behind Oregon. The foundation is set as Cronin returns all starters and key reserves so they're no longer a darkhorse. Sophomore PG Tyger Campbell (8.3 ppg, 5 apg), the only Bruin to start all 31 games, and first-team AllPac-12 choice Chris Smith (13.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg) head the cast. With so many returnees the Bruins didn't need many new additions, but they did get a quality one in Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang, a 6-6 sophomore G who is immediately eligible.

Bottom line: The Bruins lived and died with their defense last year, averaging just 69.5 points per game with only Smith averaging double figures. With the top of the conference loaded, they're going to need more consistent scoring punch, and the newcomers should help in that regard.

UCLA was 10th in 3-point percentage (32.3) but got a reliable showing there from Jake Kyman who shot 40.3 from long distance.

Utah

What to watch: The

Utes took a step backward last season with a youth movement that saw underclassmen account for 89.8 percent of the scoring load, led by Timmy Allen (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg), now a junior who explored his draft options but has opted to return. That will loom large for the Utes. PG Rylan Jones (9.6 ppg, 4.5 apg) and C Brenden Carlson both started as true freshmen. There was one significant departure as G Both Gach (10.7 ppg) declared for the draft, later withdrew his name and then transferred to Minnesota. Senior Alfonso Plummer and sophomore Jaxon Brenchley, both reserves last year, are the likely candidates to replace him. Plummer broke a Pac-12 single-game record with 11 3-pointers in a season-ending loss to Oregon State. The top newcomer is sophomore Jordan Keller, who averaged 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds at Williston State College.

Bottom line: To make any sort of move in the standings the Utes will have to learn to win on the road; they were 0-9 last year in road conference games. They'll also have to shore up a defense that ranked 11th in the conference and 201st overall. It will probably be another season in the middle of the pack for coach Larry Krystkowiak's team.

Washington

What to watch: The

Huskies were perhaps the biggest disappointment last season. Picked by some to win the conference, Washington finished last, losing 13 of its final 17 games despite having two future firstround draft picks in Isaiah Stewart (17 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Jaden McDainels (13 ppg, 5.8 rpg). That losing skid coincided with the loss of PG Quade Green to academic issues as evidenced by a 11-4 record with him, a 4-13 one without him. That frontcourt duo has departed but the Huskies have veterans back in Nahziah Carter (12.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Hameir Wright (5.6 ppg) with Green eligible again to serve as catalyst. The top newcomer is G Nate Pryor, a community college transfer. The schools has submitted waivers on transfers Erik Stevenson (Wichita State) and Cole Bajema (Michigan) but has yet to get a ruling from the NCAA.

Bottom line: The Huskies were turnover prone, averaging15.1per game. Only Georgia Tech (16.2) was worse among major conference teams. That will need to be remedied for the Huskies to contend. Poor shot selection was another issue.

Washington State

What to watch: The

Cougars showed modest improvement going from

11-21 and 4-14 in conference play to 16-16 and 6-16 under firstyear coach Kyle Smith. The win total was the highest since the 2011-12 season and it included an upset of Colorado in a Pac-12 opening-round game. The challenge will be to build on that momentum despite the departure of C.J Elleby (18.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg) who left early for the draft. Senior PG Isaac Bonton (15.3 ppg, 4 apg) is capable of picking up the slack but he is going to be asked to do more on the defensive end of the floor, too. Smith landed a solid recruiting class with three freshmen who could make an immediate impact: Andrej Jakimovski, Carlos Rosario and Dishon Jackson, all fourstar prospects. Jakimovski is the thirdhighest rated recruit in school history and turned down professional offers in Europe to play in Pullman.

Bottom line: The Cougars need to find a go-to scorer with Bonton the most likely to step into that role but he's going to have to be more consistent. The Cougars shot just 39.7 percent from the field and 30.9 from long distance, both worst in the conference, so much improvement is needed there. The returners have had a year to buy in to Smith's system and there are some promising newcomers, but the Cougars will be hardpressed to snap a 12-year NCAA tournament drought.