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Player of the Year
Parker - Delon Wright G Utah - He's the best player in the conference. He led the Pac-12 in offensive rating and true shooting percentage, was third in assist and steal rate, sixth in effective field goal percentage and seventh in free-throw rate. He is the facilitator, the scorer and the lockdown defender for Utah. Take him off the Utes and you have a team that barely gets into the NCAA Tournament. With Wright, it's not crazy to see Utah in the Elite Eight.
Jack - T.J. McConnell G Arizona - This was as hard of a vote for Player of the Year as I can ever remember, so I am going to go with my gut and go with the guy who was the heart and soul of the conference's best team.
Coach of the Year
Parker - Dana Altman Oregon - Sean Miller, Wayne Tinkle and Dana Altman all deserve this award. But I have to give the nod to Altman simply because Oregon had one returning impact player and no noteworthy incoming players and somehow finished second in the Pac-12. Altman's squad never lacked effort or intensity. He got an immense amount of production from first-year players Dwayne Benjamin, Dillon Brooks and Jordan Bell. The Ducks won nine out of their last 10 and five straight to end the season, including an upset over Utah. When they needed wins the most to prove their tournament case, they got them and that's why Altman is the pick.
Jack - Dana Altman Oregon - Another tough call, but what Altman did in getting the Ducks into second in the conference after losing a ton from last season and one of the most-horrific off-seasons in Pac-12 history is nothing short of amazing.
Defensive Player of the Year
Parker - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F Arizona - Rondae Hollis-Jeferson has the ability to lockdown any player in the Pac-12. He locked down Chasson Randle at Maples. He gave Delon Wright fits in Tucson and had a hand in stopping him in Salt Lake. His length and athleticism are unmatched for a wing defender. If you watch him on every possession on defense, he's so versatile. He'll run through screens and deny the ball. He'll stop the drive with his length and ability to get into the ball handler without fouling. And he can hang inside against bigger players because of his strength.
Jack - Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F Arizona - I was going with Gary Payton II, but Parker's write-up was enough to convince me to go with Hollis-Jefferson.
Freshman of the Year
Parker - Stanley Johnson F Arizona - Johnson led the best team in the Pac-12 in scoring and was able to score and defend consistently as the year went on. He's a force on the court and arguably the best player on the Wildcats.
Jack - Stanley Johnson F Arizona - No question here. You could make a case for Johnson for Player of the Year.
Most-Improved Player
Parker - Josh Hawkinson F Washington State - Hawkinson averaged 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game last season. This season, he averaged 14.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Going from a point and a rebound a game to a double-double definitely makes Hawkinson worthy of the award.