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Top 10 Players in Pac 12 Entering 2014-15 College Basketball Season

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Top 10 Players in Pac 12 Entering 2014-15

Pac 12 Basketball
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The college basketball season is almost upon us. After sending six teams to the NCAA Tournament last season, the Pac 12 will look to continue its success in the 2014-15 season. Here is a list of the 10 best players in the Pac 12 entering the upcoming season.

10. Nigel Williams-Goss

Nigel Williams-Goss Washington
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

10. Nigel Williams-Goss

Nigel Williams-Goss Washington
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Washington point guard Nigel Williams-Goss was one of the top incoming recruits in the Pac-12 last season. While the Huskies didn't have a very good season, Williams-Goss more than lived up to the hype, averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as a freshman last season. Williams-Goss will be the catalyst for what should be an improved Washington squad.

9. Katin Reinhardt

Katin Reinhardt USC
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

9. Katin Reinhardt

Katin Reinhardt USC
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After sitting out the 2013-14 season, USC sophomore guard Katin Reinhardt is eligible this season after transferring from UNLV. As a freshman at UNLV, Reinhardt averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting 35 percent from three-point range. On a USC team desperate for scorers, Reinhardt should have no trouble upping his production in the 2014-15 season.

8. Norman Powell

Norman Powell UCLA
Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

8. Norman Powell

Norman Powell UCLA
Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

After playing alongside several talented guards over his first three years at UCLA, senior SG Norman Powell will be the unquestioned leader of a young Bruins squad. Once regarded as a defensive specialist, Powell has improved offensively in each of his first three seasons, upping his field goal percentage from 37.7 as a freshman to 53.3 percent as a junior last season. Look for Powell to make another leap during his final season in Westwood.

7. T.J. McConnell

T.J. McConnell Arizona
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

7. T.J. McConnell

T.J. McConnell Arizona
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As the point guard of the preseason No. 2 team in the country, T.J. McConnell figures to make a big impact this season for the Arizona Wildcats. McConnell transferred from Duquesne University two seasons ago and was everything Arizona could have asked for last season as the floor general of one of the top teams in the nation. With another talented group around him, look for McConnell to be even better this season.

6. Josh Scott

Josh Scott Colorado
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6. Josh Scott

Josh Scott Colorado
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As the only post player to make the list, Josh Scott figures to be one of the top big men in the country this season for Colorado. Last season, Scott averaged 14.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for a Buffs team that was a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. If Colorado plans on making the NCAA Tournament again this season, it will take another stellar season from the 6-foot-10 junior.

5. DaVonte Lacy

DaVonte Lacy Washington State
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5. DaVonte Lacy

DaVonte Lacy Washington State
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As the leading returning scorer in the Pac 12, Washington State's DaVonte Lacy checks in at No. 5. Lacy was one of the lone bright spots for the Cougars last season, averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 39 percent from three-point range. Look for the senior from Tacoma to average over 20 points per game in the Pac 12 this season.

4. Chasson Randle

Chasson Randle Stanford
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chasson Randle

Chasson Randle Stanford
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

After leading Stanford to a surprise Sweet 16 appearance last season, senior guard Chasson Randle will be one of the top players in the conference in 2014-15. Randle averaged 18.8 points per game last season on 38.9 percent shooting from three and will have to carry more of the load this season for a less talented Cardinal team.

3. Delon Wright

Delon Wright Utah
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

3. Delon Wright

Delon Wright Utah
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

After spending his first two seasons in junior college, Delon Wright was a pleasant surprise for the Utes last season. Wright had a terrific all-around season, averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 2013-14. If Wright can improve on his putrid 22.2 percent shooting from three-point range, the sky is the limit for the senior point guard.

2. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson Arizona
Getty Images

2. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson Arizona
Getty Images

The lone freshman to make the list, Arizona's Stanley Johnson is arguably the top incoming recruit in the country. After winning four consecutive state championships at legendary southern California powerhouse Mater Dei, Johnson will look to take the Wildcats to new heights this season. If Johnson plays up to his potential, he will be a top-five selection in the NBA Draft next June.

1. Joseph Young

Joseph Young Oregon
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Joseph Young

Joseph Young Oregon
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon senior SG Joseph Young has all the credentials to be the top player in the Pac 12 this season. After averaging 18 points per game as a sophomore at University of Houston, Young transferred to Oregon last season and was one of the top players in the conference, upping his scoring to 18.9 points per game as a junior. As one of the top three-point shooters in the country, Young should have a monster year for a depleted Oregon team.

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