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2018-19 Preseason All-Pac-12 Basketball Teams

By Alex Weber

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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In less than one week, the college basketball season officially begins. And not the John Rothstein version where the practices start. No, the games are here. Actual games. Not secret scrimmages, not open scrimmages, not exhibitions against crappy D-2 teams; actual teams playing each other. With this development, I’d like to donate my two cents on who will be the Pac-12’s best and brightest talents. Take a look:

All-Pac-12 First Team 

Payton Pritchard (Point Guard, Oregon)

  • Pritchard returns as the clear veteran presence and leader for a young but extremely talented Oregon squad. Last season he contributed 14.5 points and 4.8 assists per game. Both those numbers should see a jump as Pritchard improves once again in his third year. This time, though, he’ll be the best player on one of the league’s premier squads, which will undeniably bolster his case for first team honors.

McKinley Wright IV (Point Guard, Colorado)

  • Wright had a stellar rookie season, averaging 14.2 points and 5.5 assists a game last season for Tad Boyle. The sophomore could very well make the leap from Pac-12 pundits (like myself) saying “wow, look at this kid,” to national folks like Dicky V screaming “OH MAN, THIS GUY’S ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE GAME!” while calling a Buffaloes game. This kid is going to be a star for a while in Boulder.

Jaylen Nowell (Shooting Guard, Washington)

  • After averaging 16 points a game a year ago, it seems like Nowell isn’t getting the preseason hype he deserves. I, for one, am very very high on U-Dub this year and I think Nowell could wind up as the conference player of the year. You always have to watch out for freshman guards like him with big first years because, often times, all-conference selection will be in the fold.

Tres Tinkle (Power Forward, Oregon State)

  • With by far the best name of any player in the conference, Tinkle’s game is beginning to match its glamour. Last season, the lumberjack-looking 4-man scored over 17 a game in addition to grabbing 7 boards. Oregon State should (a crucial word here) be improved after missing the tournament for who knows how long. Plus, when your dad (Wayne Tinkle) is the coach and you’re the best player…well…that always works out well.

Noah Dickerson (Power Forward, Washington)

  • Dickerson is a skilled 4 with great touch around the rim and above average defensive ability. He contributed 15.5 points a game to go along with 8.4 rebounds. On what I expect to be a top-15 in the country Washington club, I think he and Nowell will shine.

All-Pac-12 Second Team

Remy Martin (Point Guard, Arizona State)

Matisse Thybulle (Shooting Guard, Washington)

Kris Wilkes (Small Forward, UCLA)

Robert Franks (Small Forward, Washington State)

Romello White (Center, Arizona State)

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