Pac-12 Tournament 2012: Terrance Ross and the 9 Most Dangerous Players

Due to the weakened state of the Pac-12 this year, the annual Pac-12 basketball tournament will have added importance as no team is a surefire lock to make the tournament.  When the tournament tips off in Los Angeles on Wednesday a case could be made for a handful of teams being the favorite to win the Pac-12’s automatic bid.

Despite it being a down year in the Pac-12, there are still a host of talented players that will be featured in the upcoming tournament.  This slideshow takes a look at the nine most dangerous players that will look to lead their teams into March Madness.

Terrance Ross, Washington

Playing for the conference regular season champion Washington Huskies, Terrance Ross is one of the front-runners for conference player of the year.  Coming off of a promising freshman season, Ross elevated his game in his sophomore campaign, ranking top five in the conference in scoring with 15.3 PPG and rebounding with 6.6 RPG.

With a NBA-caliber jump shot and prototypical swingman body, Ross is capable of taking over games with his scoring talents.  For Washington, who are on the NCAA bubble, Ross will be one to watch as the Huskies look to claim the inaugural Pac-12 basketball championship.   

Jorge Gutierrez, California

A preseason pick for conference POY, Gutierrez didn’t disappoint this season as he gave the Cal Bears a little bit of everything.  Gutierrez was second on the Bears in scoring with 12.9 PPG and assists with 4 APG.

Coming off a disappointing end to the season, consecutive losses to Colorado and Stanford cost the team the regular season Pac-12 conference title.  Gutierrez will look to right the ship in the Pac-12 tournament and secure a bid for Cal in March Madness.

Devoe Joseph, Oregon

Devoe Joseph, the mid-transfer from Minnesota, turned the Ducks' season around by providing a much-needed scoring boost.  After missing the first six games of the season, Joseph returned and instantly became the Ducks go-to option on offense and ended the season as the Ducks leading scorer (16.8 PPG).

With the Ducks currently on the outside looking in on March Madness, they will need Joseph to continue his recent hot play—21.2 PPG in his last five games—in the Pac-12 tournament. 

Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

As well as the aforementioned Terrance Ross played in the 2011/2012 season, his fellow freshman teammate Tony Wroten Jr. may have been the Huskies best player.  The Seattle native was undoubtedly the Pac-12’s best freshman, as Wroten paced the Huskies with a team-best 16.3 points.

A stat-stuffer, Wroten also contributed 3.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and two steals per game.  For Pac-12 fans, this could be the last chance to see Wroten in a Huskies uniform, as he is already generating considerable interest in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Jared Cunningham, Oregon State

Although the Beavers struggled in the 2011/2012 season, they still featured the conferences' leading scorer in Jared Cunningham.  In his junior season, the 6’4” Cunningham led the Pac-12 in scoring with 18.2 PPG.

A phenomenal athlete (see accompanying video), who is also a standout on the defensive end with 2.6 steals per game, Cunningham will lead the Beavers against Washington State on Wednesday.

Brock Motum, Washington State

Virtually unheard of before the season began, Washington State’s Brock Motum emerged as one of the premier players in the Pac-12 conference by averaging 18.1 PPG in the 2011/2012 season. 

The 6’10” Australian, in addition to doubling his scoring output this season, also doubled his production on the glass, as he led the Cougars in rebounding with 6.5 RPG.

A long shot in the Pac-12 tournament, the Cougars will need Motum more than ever.

Allen Crabbe, California

Teaming with Jorge Gutierrez, sophomore Allen Crabbe gave the Golden Bears arguably the best backcourt in the Pac-12.  Armed with seemingly unlimited range, Crabbe, a .414 three-point shooter, was the Bears' leading scorer this season with 15.4 PPG.

Because of poor play down the stretch, the Golden Bears will need Crabbe and company to perform well in the Pac-12 tournament if they are to secure a NCAA tournament bid.

Andre Roberson, Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes made a strong debut performance in the Pac-12 largely behind the play of sophomore Andre Roberson.  With an average of 11.2 rebounds per game, Roberson was the Pac-12’s leading rebounder by a wide margin.  In addition, Roberson was the Buffaloes' second leading scorer at 11.2 PPG.

The Buffaloes' case for an NCAA tournament at-large bid appears shot after losing at Oregon and Oregon State.  But, if they can win the wide open Pac-12 tournament, they can still find themselves a part of March Madness.  If the Buffaloes make a run in the Pac-12 tournament chances are Roberson will be leading the way.

Kyle Fogg, Arizona

Despite suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of rival Arizona State, the Arizona Wildcats still promise to be a tough out in the Pac-12 tournament.  Led by leading scorer Kyle Fogg (13.2 PPG), Arizona ended the season tied fourth in the Pac-12 with a conference record of 12-6.

The Wildcats struggled with inconsistency throughout the course of the season but at times appeared to be the best team in the conference.  For the Wildcats to secure a tournament berth they will need their senior leader, Fogg, to end his Pac-12 career with a bang.