Note: I missed Day No. 29 yesterday for personal reasons
Aaron Gordon has what it takes to be Pac-12 Player of the Year
Top 10 Pac-12 Players for 2013-14:
1. Aaron Gordon, freshman forward, Arizona: He will emerge as best player for the conference’s best team similar to Derrick Williams but will have a stronger supporting cast than Williams. Only two freshmen have won the conference player of the year award: Cal’s Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1995-96 and UCLA’s Kevin Love in 2007-08.
2. Jahii Carson, sophomore point guard, ASU: The most dynamic playmaker in the league without question setting a Sun Devil freshman record with 177 assists and averaging 18.5 points a game.
3. Dwight Powell, senior forward, Stanford: Solid NBA prospect who could average a double-double in points and rebounds this season.
4. Spencer Dinwiddie, junior guard, Colorado: Instinctive and athletic at 6-foot-6, Dinwiddie has an NBA body with skills to match.
5. Kyle Anderson, sophomore guard/forward, UCLA: Versatile player who was sixth in the league in rebounding (8.6 a game) despite playing primarily at both guard positions.
Look for Nick Johnson to have a breakout year playing alongside true point guard T.J. McConnell
6. Nick Johnson, junior guard, Arizona: The best athlete in the league who should elevate his production feeding off his defense and that of new backcourt mate T.J. McConnell.
7. C.J. Wilcox, senior guard, Washington: When he heats up, Wilcox, the Pac-12’s leading returner with 211 career three-pointers, can lead the Huskies to a win over anybody.
8. Jabari Bird, freshman guard, Cal: Five-star recruit who will have an instant impact with Allen Crabbe off to the NBA and Mike Montgomery in need of a stronger perimeter game.
9. Dominic Artis, sophomore guard, Oregon: Great leaderships skills who was missed tremendously by the Ducks last year when he was out with a foot injury.
10. Josh Huestis, senior forward, Stanford: Johnny Dawkins has no excuses with Huestis, another double-double guy like teammate Powell, and effective junior guard Chasson Randle on the roster.
Countdown to Tip-off Blogs:
— Ernie McCray did more than score for Arizona Wildcats
— Arizona Wildcats’ No. 31 not retired with Jason Terry’s name but should be
— No. 32 most storied jersey number in Arizona Wildcats history
— No. 33 in Arizona Wildcats history symbolic of hard work ethic, ideal role players
— Simon says: No. 34 special with two of Arizona Wildcats’ greatest wearing jersey number
— If Arizona Wildcats center Kaleb Tarczewski has field-goal percentage like Jud Buechler, UA will be fine
— Arizona Wildcats legend Sean Elliott scored career-high 36 points opposing Sean Miller
— Nick Johnson looks to improve perimeter shooting, limit turnovers
— Jordin Mayes hoping to return to shooting form earlier in Arizona Wildcats career
— 39 days and counting toward Arizona Wildcats’ season
— Joe Skaisgir best Arizona Wildcats basketball player you’ve never heard of
— Nick Johnson looks to improve FG percentage while Arizona Wildcats limit opponents
— Chris Mills, A.J. Bramlett reached Arizona Wildcats stardom via different paths, roles
— Jordan Hill climbed hill for notoriety while Ed Nymeyer lived up to hype with Arizona Wildcats
— Fantastic Four who wore No. 44: Jersey special for Arizona Wildcats program
— Two of Arizona Wildcats’ best centers — Sean Rooks and Channing Frye — donned No. 45
— Arizona Wildcats great Ernie McCray reminisces about his record-setting 46-point performance
— Arizona Wildcats star recruit should not be compared to Blake Griffin
— Arizona Wildcats coach Sean Miller on fast track to Pac-12 success
— Things you may not know about Arizona Wildcats point guard T.J. McConnell
— Arizona Wildcats will benefit from presence of Joseph Blair in practice
— Arizona Wildcats preparing for what could be memorable 2013-14 season
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report, Lindy’s College Sports and TucsonCitizen.com.
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