The Pac-12 is expected to release its postseason award winners and all-conference teams on Tuesday.
The Hotline prefers to call its shot in advance so that readers will know ahead of time where the coaches goof (joking!).
Our process differs from the official version in an important respect.
The Pac-12 will honor 10 players on the all-conference first team. But last we checked, you only play with five on the court at once.
As a result, the Hotline has selected three teams of five.
Let’s get to it …
Player of the Year: Colorado guard McKinley Wright
Not an easy call but one we’re fully comfortable with — largely because the Hotline always leans to the guards. We thought Lonzo Ball should have been the POY in 2017 over Dillon Brooks. We thought Aaron Holiday should have been POY in ’18 over Deandre Ayton. The game is about guards, guards, guards. And Wright, who averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds, was superb. He was everywhere, at all times, making plays small and big, at both ends. A marvelous career capped by a sensational season.
Also considered: USC forward Evan Mobley and Oregon guard Chris Duarte.
Coach of the Year: USC’s Andy Enfield
Sure, the Trojans have the No. 1 talent in the league (Evan Mobley), but we were impressed by the manner in which Enfield assimilated pieces new and old; freshmen, transfers and returnees; rookies and veterans. They bought what he preached, made big plays at big moments and won more conference games (15) than anyone else.
Also considered: Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle, Colorado’s Tad Boyle, UCLA’s Mick Cronin and Oregon’s Dana Altman
Freshman of the Year: USC forward Evan Mobley
As good as advertised — and he was advertised as the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. Mobley as Freshman of the Year was the easiest call on this board and one of the easiest in years.
Also considered: Nobody
Newcomer of the Year: Oregon forward Eugene Omoruyi
While so many other pieces to Oregon’s core rotation were in and out of the lineup with COVID and injuries, Omoruyi played in 23 of 24 games — and produced in all of them with averages of 16.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, plus 36.4 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
Also considered: USC’s Tahj Eaddy and Arizona’s James Akinjo
*** ALL CONFERENCE
First team
Colorado guard McKinley WrightASU guard Remy MartinOregon guard Chris DuarteStanford forward Oscar da SilvaUSC forward Evan Mobley
Second team
Arizona guard James AkinjoWashington State guard Isaac BontonUSC guard Tahj EaddyOregon forward Eugene OmoruyiUCLA guard Tyger Campbell
Third team
Oregon State guard Ethan ThompsonCal guard Matt BradleyUtah forward Timmy AllenUCLA guard Johnny JuzangWashington guard Quade Green
*** ALL FRESHMAN
USC forward Evan MobleyArizona forward Azuolas TubelisASU guard Josh ChristopherWSU forward Efe AbogidiArizona guard Bennedict Mathurin
*** ALL DEFENSE
Colorado guard McKinley WrightOregon guard Chris DuarteStanford guard Bryce WillsOregon State forward Warith AlatisheUSC forward Evan Mobley
*** ALL NEWCOMER (transfers only)First team
USC guard Tahj EaddyOregon forward Eugene OmoruyiUCLA guard Johnny JuzangArizona guard James AkinjoColorado forward Jeriah HorneSecond team
Oregon State forward Warith AlatisheUSC guard Drew PetersonOregon guard LJ FigueroaArizona guard Terrell BrownOregon forward Eric Williams
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