UCLA Men's Hoops Selected First in Preseason Poll

2020-21 Roster | Preseason All-League Teams

SAN FRANCISCO – The UCLA men's basketball team has been picked to finish first in the Pac-12 Conference's preseason media poll, as announced by the Pac-12 office on Thursday morning.
 
This marks the first time since 2011-12 in which UCLA has been chosen first in the league's preseason poll. The Bruins received nine of 23 first-place votes, as four other programs also received first-place votes. Arizona State was selected second in the poll, while Oregon, Stanford and Arizona were chosen third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

The final seven teams in this season's preseason poll included USC (sixth), Colorado (seventh), Utah (eighth), Washington (ninth), California (10th), Washington State (11th) and Oregon State (12th).

Arizona State secured five first-place votes, while Oregon tallied seven. Stanford and USC also each collected one first-place vote.

UCLA, Arizona State and Oregon were separated by 10 points, marking the closest vote among the top three selections in 37 years of polling.

Last season, UCLA (19-12, 12-6 Pac-12) was selected eighth in the preseason poll and finished second, just one game behind league champion Oregon.

Media have correctly picked the Pac-12's regular-season winner in 17 of 28 previous tries, while the winner has been accurately chosen in 19 of the 31 all-time preseason votes.

Senior guard Chris Smith was one of 10 players named as a first-team preseason all-conference selection (selected by media members). In addition, sophomore guard Tyger Campbell was one of five student-athletes to secure second-team preseason all-league honors.

Junior forward/center Jalen Hill and sophomore guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. were among the league's five preseason honorable mention selections (student-athletes who appeared on at least four ballots earned honorable mention status).

Smith was one of five seniors selected as a preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selection, joining Stanford's Oscar da Silva, Oregon's Chris Duarte, Arizona State's Remy Martin and Colorado's McKinley Wright IV.
 
UCLA's 27-game season is slated to begin at San Diego State on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The Bruins' complete schedule has not been finalized. Game times and TV designations will be announced at a later date.
 
Pac-12 Networks will air the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Virtual Media Day Webinar on Thursday, Nov. 12. All 12 men's basketball head coaches and select student-athletes will be speaking during the day, beginning at 9:30 a.m. (PT) on Pac-12 Network. The program is also available to fans on the Pac-12 Now app and by visiting Pac-12.com.
 
Mick Cronin, in his second season as The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach, will be speaking in the virtual format (along with Chris Smith) from 1:30 until 2:00 p.m. (PT).
 
The complete schedule of Pac-12 speakers can be found below. Each head coach will be joined by host Andy Katz and a select student-athlete (from each team) to preview the upcoming season and answer questions from the media.
 
Pac-12 Men's Basketball Virtual Media Day Webinar Schedule
all times are Pacific
 
9:30-10:00 am, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley and Remy Martin
10:00-10:30 am, Oregon head coach Dana Altman and Chris Duarte
10:30-11:00 am, Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak and Timmy Allen
11:00-11:30 am, Washington State head coach Kyle Smith and Isaac Bonton
11:30 am-12:00 pm, Colorado head coach Tad Boyle and McKinley Wright IV
12:00-12:30 pm, Stanford head coach Jerod Haase and Oscar da Silva
12:30-1:00 pm, Arizona head coach Sean Miller and Jemarl Baker Jr.
1:00-1:30 pm, USC head coach Andy Enfield and Ethan Anderson
1:30-2:00 pm, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin and Chris Smith
2:00-2:30 pm, California head coach Mark Fox and Matt Bradley
2:30-3:00 pm, Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle and Ethan Thompson
3:00-3:30 pm, Washington head coach Mike Hopkins and Hameir Wright
 
HOW TO WATCH: The men's basketball media webinar (9:30 a.m., PT) will be on the Pac-12 Network and is also available to fans on the Pac-12 Now app and by visiting Pac-12.com.

2020-21 Pac-12 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll