THIS WEEK'S POWER RANKINGS

1. (2) California (Record: 6-3, RPI rank: 15)
Last week: No games.
Big test next week for the Bears, who seemingly drew the short straw when matchups were determined for the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood series. Guard-oriented Cal doesn't matchup well with the Jayhawks, which feature all-conference center Cole Aldrich. Without center Harper Kamp (out with season-ending knee injury), the Bears will counter with Chinese newcomer Max Zhang.
Up next: Tuesday at No. 1 Kansas.

2. (4) Washington State (8-2, 77)
Last week: Beat Air Force 75-68.
Last season, Klay Thompson averaged fewer than one free throw per game. This season, he has a conference-high 72 free throw attempts and is averaging foul shots. Freshman guard Reggie Moore is second in the conference with 67 FT attempts. The Cougars have attempted a conference-high 276 FTs. WSU scores 25.2 percent of their points at the line and 21.8 percent on 3s.
Up next: Saturday vs. Portland State; Tuesday vs. LSU.

3. (1) Washington (6-2, 11)
Last week: Lost to No. 11 Georgetown 74-66)
It's Finals Week for the Huskies, who are taking two days off this week to allow their students-athletes extra time to prepare for exams. After losing two of their last three games and committing a season-high 25 turnovers last week, coach Lorenzo Romar hinted about lineup and rotation changes. Reserves Scott Suggs and Clarence Trent were standouts could receive more time.
Up next: Saturday vs. Portland; Tuesday vs. No. 23 Texas A&M

4. (3) Arizona State (7-3, 133)
Last week: Lost at BYU 81-68; Beat Delaware State 76-34.
A case could be made the Sun Devils are the best coached team in the Pac-10. They shoot better than anyone at .509 and they defend shots better than anyone allowing opponents .378 percent. ASU also has a conference leading 16.7 scoring margin. No Sun Devils player averages more points than Derek Glasser's 12.8.
Up next: Saturday vs. San Diego State; Monday vs. UC Santa Barbara

5. (7) Stanford (5-3, 192)
Last week: Beat UC Davis 85-69.
It's a brutal week for the Cardinal, which faces three opponents with a combined record of 24-2. First up is Oklahoma State (8-1), followed by Northwestern (7-1) and Texas Tech (9-0). Coach Johnny Dawkins would be pleased if Stanford goes 1-2. He'd do hand stands if posts a 2-1 record. And he'd do back flips if the Cardinal went 3-0 during this stretch.
Up next: Tonight vs. Oklahoma State; Saturday at Northwestern; Tuesday at No. 16 Texas Tech.

6. (9) USC (4-4, 188)
Last week: Beat Idaho State 59-53.
Who is Nikola Vucevic? He's the Trojans 6-10 forward. He's the only player in the conference averaging double digit rebounds. And he's leading the Pac10 with 36.2 minutes played. Keep an eye on him because he's probably the early leader for Defensive Player of the Year. The Trojans will likely have the best frontline in the conference when 6-7 forward Leonard Washington returns and he's paired with Vucevic and 6-9 Alex Stepheson, the Pac-10's block shots leader.
Up next: Saturday vs. No. 9 Tennessee; Tuesday vs. Western Michigan

7. (6) Oregon State (4-4, 160)
Last week: Lost 50-44 at Nebraska.
Word around Corvallis, Ore. is highly-touted freshman Roberto Nelson, the Beavers first top 100 recruit in many years, will not be cleared by the NCAA and will be ineligible this season. Too bad because OSU, which is last in the Pac-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio, could use Nelson, who was considered one of the top guards in the country.
Up next: Tonight at Illinois-Chicago; Saturday vs. Mississippi Valley State

8. (5) Arizona (4-5, 96)
Last week: Lost 63-46 at San Diego State.
Coach Sean Miller said the Wildcats' 25-year streak of consecutive NCAA tourney appearances "is very much in jeopardy." Senior guard Nic Wise was supposed to be one of the stars of the Pac-10, but so far he's averaging 16.0 points per game, which is seventh best in the conference. He's also averaging 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds. The Wildcats are without three key players: F Jamelle Horne (ankle), G/F Brendon Lavender (right thigh bruise) and G/F Kevin Parrom (foot stress fracture).
strong>Up next: Monday vs. Lipscomb.

9. (8) Oregon (4-4, 203)
Last week: Lost 81-76 vs St. Mary's.
G Tajuan Porter (high ankle sprain) and F Joevan Catron (back) won't play Wednesday and are questionable for Saturday's game.
Up next: Wednesday vs. Mississippi Valley State, Saturday vs. Oakland, Tuesday vs. Idaho State.

10. (10) UCLA (3-6, 289)
Last week: Beat New Mexico State 100-68; Lost 72-54 to Mississippi State.
Last night's win snapped a five-game losing streak. Still it's bad in Westwood. How bad? Assistant Scott Duncan missed last Saturday's game to recruit for next year. That's uncommon. He returned last night, but he's expected to spend the week in Florida. The Bruins are hunting for junior college talent. Especially point guards.
Up next: Saturday at Notre Dame; Tuesday vs. Colorado State.