Welcome to the Bracketeer’s ongoing coverage of Pac-12 Media Day. I will update this post throughout the day to recap all 12 of the schools in the conference and any additional nuggets that I personally gather. Only four weeks until Tip-Off!
1) Oregon
HC Dana Altman:
- Mentioned the defensive formula that is trending in College Hoops (named Villanova twice and the Oregon final four team.
- Talked about replacing Dillon Brooks. Brooks won the most games in Oregon Basketball history.
- N’Faly Dante has still not been cleared by admissions to play.
- Asked about always being able to reload his roster: Summed it up by saying he has a great staff.
- Counting on Francis Okoro, CJ Walker, and Shakur Juiston to bring the type of physicality that will replace Elgin Cook’s loss.
2) Colorado
HC Tad Boyle:
- Praised Junior Class for sticking together. Built class from recruiting.
- Scheduling upgrade from last year was due to the team he knew was coming back. Seeked games with KU, Dayton, Iona, and Northern Iowa.
- Wants to play with an inside out approach. He thinks CU will see more zone this year due to 3 point line moving back and new coaches in the Pac-12.
- 5th in the Nation in returning minutes.
3) Washington
HC Mike Hopkins
- No word yet on Quade Green waiver.
- On the rotation: stay patient and letting things play out.
- Preparation for Baylor: Just show up and see how we stack up.
- Praise for Nate Roberts.
- Scheduling is a focus for the staff. They struggle to get national teams to play a true road game. This was evidenced by Auburn cancelling the back half of the home-and-home series that was supposed to happen this season.
- You could see Jaden McDaniels at the top of the zone. (Non-Commital)
- On zero true road games: Did their best to balance out travel and space out games. Found neutral opportunities in Anchorage, Hawai’i and Toronto to be the most lucrative of the options.
- Understands the importance of the Conference being able to win some games early. He thinks new scheduling mandates has been a big part of the league improving going forward and better position themselves for more At-Large bids.
4) Arizona
HC Sean Miller
- Only coach to bring two Freshmen here.
- Balked at the idea of playing zone this year.
- Gave credit to all three new HC's in the league. Thinks the league upgraded with the new hires. Spoke about how tough Cronin's teams are.
5) USC
HC Andy Enfield
- Factored in the strength of the league and balanced it with Non-conference scheduling strategy.
- Isaiah Mobley has been cleared, Enfield expects him to be 100% for the opener.
- Looking forward to future of USC with eventual new AD and recently hired President.
- Commented on Mick Cronin being a very good basketball coach, nice guy. They don't know each other that well but getting to know each other. Later said good basketball in Los Angeles.
- Commented on being picked 5th after finishing 8th last year. Says it speaks to the level of talent we have this season.
6) Arizona State
HC Bobby Hurley
- Team is adjusting back to being a Guard-heavy team.
- Jalen Graham is currently out with an ankle injury. Sounds like he could return in the coming weeks.
- Hopes the 20-Game schedule will help alleviate future SOS concerns
- Rebounding is key for this team to be able to succeed.
- He thinks the expanded three point line allows their Guards to have more freedom of movement and is an overall positive for this team.
7) Oregon State
HC Wayne Tinkle
- Peyton Dastrup needs to be a key piece for the team to reach their goals.
- Zach Reichle has been working hard in the weight room and ready to make an impact.
- Others who will be counted on: Alfred Hollins, Jarod Lucas, Antoine Miller.
- Spoke about Jared Lucas being the all-time leading scorer in Southern California history and how that he can be just as special in College.
8) UCLA
HC Mick Cronin
- Defense/Offense are equally as important.
- Pac-12 defensively is a tougher league than nationally recognized.
- Shareef O'Neal works hard, hustles, listens and is coming along nicely. Credits his parents for his character.
- Why he left Cincinnati: Never a good time to leave, but overall he thought he was at the right point in life for a change.
- Made a few jokes about transitioning to LA life and the cost of living, went on to say that the sicker shock is real.
9) Utah
HC Larry Krystowiak
- Looking to go 7 deep this year, rest of team has to play their way into the rotation.
- Proud of scheduling efforts.
- Took the high road on CA State Bill/NIL questions, did not believe his opinion would add any value.
- Pointed out that his two sons play CBB. One for the Utes and the other at Dartmouth.
- On upgraded talent: I can tell you that we've got more stars than we've ever had, but we've also got a really high-character group of guys, and I think we've got a chance moving forward,
10) Stanford
HC Jerod Hasse
- Says the foreign tour in Italy and Germany was a great trip.
- He thinks his team grew together over the summer.
- Says he is excited about the guys he has, despite losing KZ Okpala to the NBA, Koyde Pugh for the season (knee), and Trevor Stanback (medical hardship).
- He wants Oscar Da Silva to become a complete player on both sides of the ball, credits Oscar for working really hard in the offseason.
11) Washington State
HC Kyle Smith
- Praised living in Pullman and the opportunity. Not backing down from the notion that is too difficult to recruit there. - Praised Jeff Pollard and Noah Williams
- Said he had no say on scheduling and that it was already in place when he arrived. And seemed happy about it.
- Says scheduling after this year will be more carefully done and in line with conference mandates.
- Gave entire team Dental Floss, noted that Pollard was the only one who flosses everyday.
12) California
HC Mark Fox
- Talked about having 17 new players and how he has been pleased thus far in their efforts.
- He has preached and the players have responded on the notion of a daily investment to get better.
- Academics at Cal, tradition of the conference, and Cal Hoops history were the main areas that attracted him to the job.
- Discussed how valuable having Trent Johnson on staff is and all of the experience he brings.
- Says he doesn’t read the articles or the stories writen and it didn’t make a difference to him that the Bears were picked last.
The Final Tally (Media Poll)
TEAM (first-place votes) POINTS
1. Oregon (9) 291 points
2. Colorado (9) 288
3. Washington (6) 273
4. Arizona (2) 263
5. USC (1) 198
6. Arizona State 187
7. Oregon State 161
8. UCLA 148
9. Utah 131
10. Stanford 84
11. Washington State 47
12. California 35
Preseason All-Conference Teams
First Team
Tyler Bey, Jr., G/F, Colorado
CJ Elleby, So., F, Washington State
Nico Mannion, Fr., G, Arizona
Remy Martin, Jr., G, Arizona State
Jaden McDaniels, Fr., F, Washington
Payton Pritchard, Sr., G, Oregon
Nick Rakocevic, Sr., F, USC
Isaiah Stewart, Fr., F, Washington
Tres Tinkle, Sr., F, Oregon State
McKinley Wright IV, Jr., G, Colorado
Second Team
Timmy Allen, So., F, Utah
N'Faly Dante, Fr., C, Oregon
Daejon Davis, Jr., G, Stanford
Josh Green, Fr., G, Arizona
Ethan Thompson, Jr., G, Oregon State