Men's College Basketball | Pac-10 eager to prove strength

When the dust cleared last spring, the Pac-10 Conference had acquitted itself pretty well. UCLA made it to the national title game, Washington to the Sweet 16, and Arizona to the second round, where it lost a close game to a No. 1 seed.

But this time a year ago, the Pac-10 was a virtual laughingstock among its peers. As the Pac-10 headed into January, conference teams had lost to the likes of UC Davis, Portland, Portland State, Tennessee Tech and Cal State Northridge.

It was a stench not redeemed in the eyes of the nation until the respectable March run.

But this year, as conference play beckons, the Pac-10 only has to worry about playing defense on the court, and not off of it, as well.

The conference is 88-22 as Pac-10 play opens Thursday and ranked No. 2 in the RPI. A year ago at this time, the Pac-10 was 71-28 and ranked No. 7.

Two different conference teams can make a claim for being No. 1: UCLA, atop the coaches and writers polls; and Arizona, tops in the RPI (the Bruins are No. 2 in the RPI).

And there are few embarrassing losses.

"It's as good as it's ever been since the [2001-02] season," said UW coach Lorenzo Romar, referring to a year in which the Pac-10 sent a conference-record six teams to the NCAA tournament. "You have to go back that far to say the last time it was this good."

The keys to the improvement are some teams that a year ago were young and are maturing and improving (notably, Oregon, Washington State and USC), and the influx of the best overall crop of freshmen in recent Pac-10 history led by the likes of Washington's Spencer Hawes, Stanford brothers Brook and Robin Lopez, Arizona's Chase Budinger, Oregon's Tajuan Porter, California's Ryan Anderson and USC's Taj Gibson.

"This is probably up there with as good a group [of freshmen] as has been in the league," said Oregon coach Ernie Kent. "They've really helped a lot of us in the conference. That tells you the strength of the conference is going to be good for years to come as long as we can keep them here."

But that's for later. For now, the focus is on a Pac-10 race that shapes up as one of the most competitive and entertaining in years.

Here's a look at where each team stands heading into Pac-10 play in predicted order of finish.

UCLA

Coach: Ben Howland (72-35 in fourth season at UCLA)

Record: 11-0

Starters: F Josh Shipp, 6-5, So. (14.9, 4.4); F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, 6-8, So. (10.5, 7.4); C Lorenzo Mata, 6-9, Jr. (6.9, 6.5); G Arron Afflalo, 6-5, Jr. (16.0, 1.6); G Darren Collison, 6-1, So. (13.0, 6.2 apg).

Notes: After last season, when the Bruins were rarely able to start the same lineup because of injuries, UCLA has gone with the same starting five for all 11 games. Bruins' biggest flaw is free-throw shooting (63.3 percent).

Best win: UCLA has validated its top ranking with wins against the likes of No. 6 Texas A&M, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and Saturday's 92-55 whipping of Michigan.

Worst loss: None.

Bottom line: The Bruins haven't missed a beat despite the loss of key players such as PG Jordan Farmar, G Cedric Bozeman and C Ryan Hollins. Darren Collison has been as good as hoped in replacing Farmar, the young big men continue to improve and the return of Josh Shipp from injury has been huge. The favorite.

Arizona

Coach: Lute Olson (578-178 in 24th season at Arizona)

Record: 9-1

Starters: F Marcus Williams, 6-7, So. (15.0, 7.4); F Ivan Radenovic, 6-10, Sr. (17.5, 7.4); F Chase Budinger, 6-7, Fr. (17.4, 5.9); G Jawann McClellan, 6-4, Jr. (13.1, 5.6); G Mustafa Shakur, 6-3, Sr. (13.4, 7.4 apg).

Notes: Shakur is finally living up to the hype, leading the Pac-10 in assists, though still turnover prone. Roosevelt High grad Williams is among Pac-10 leaders in scoring, rebounding, steals, blocked shots. Arizona has won nine in a row, all by seven or more points.

Best win: The Wildcats have beaten only one ranked team, No. 18 Memphis last week, rallying from a five-point halftime deficit to win their ninth in a row.

Worst loss: Arizona's only loss was in its opener at Virginia, 93-90 on Nov. 12.

Bottom line: After a lackluster 2006, the Wildcats again are thriving, thanks to better chemistry and the addition of Budinger, one of the best frosh in the country. Likely UCLA's stiffest competition for top spot.

Washington

Coach: Lorenzo Romar (68-35 in fifth season at UW)

Record: 10-1

Starters: F Jon Brockman, 6-7, So. (12.8, 10.1); F Quincy Pondexter, 6-6, Fr. (15.0, 5.2), C Spencer Hawes, 7-0, Fr. (15.5, 5.9), G Adrian Oliver, 6-3, Fr. (6.0, 3.7), G Justin Dentmon, 5-11, So. (11.9, 5.0 apg).

Notes: UW is only team in conference not starting at least one upperclassman. With recent emergence of Spencer Hawes, Huskies are becoming more interior-oriented. UW continues to score big, averaging 88 points, 1.5 more than the season record set in 2004-05.

Best win: The blowout of LSU last week showed how good this team can be.

Worst loss: The Huskies only have one, a 97-77 defeat at Gonzaga that was as decisive as it sounds. Until UW proves it can win on the road, that looms as a key question for such a young team.

Bottom line: Huskies have the talent to contend, but the youth could result in some inconsistent performances that might keep them just off the top of the pack.

Oregon

Coach: Ernie Kent (175-112 in 10th season at Oregon)

Record: 11-0

Starters: F Maarty Leunen, 6-9, Jr. (10.8, 10.4); F Chamberlain Oguchi, 6-5, Jr. (11.3, 3.8); G Tajuan Porter, 5-6, Fr. (18.2, 2.3); G Bryce Taylor, 6-5, Jr. (17.4, 5.9); G Aaron Brooks, 6-0, Sr. (16.5, 4.9 apg).

Notes: Junior guard Malik Hairston (averaging 13.4 points and 6.2 rebounds) is out indefinitely with a left heel injury and Tajuan Porter (toe) and Chamberlain Oguchi (ankle) also missed last game because of injury. Forward Jordan Kent, son of coach Ernie Kent, has decided to give up basketball to concentrate on his football career.

Best win: Oregon showed it's a different team this season by going to Georgetown and beating the then-No. 18 Hoyas 57-50. Oregon also won an overtime game at Rice.

Worst loss : None.

Bottom line: The Ducks have been one of the pleasant surprises of the Pac-10 along with Washington State. Oregon has had undeniable talent the last few years, but it's now matured. The early success has taken heat off Kent, who was under pressure heading into the season. Still, the nonconference schedule hasn't been real strong (176 strength of schedule in the RPI) meaning Oregon still has some proving to do.

USC

Coach: Tim Floyd (27-16 in second season at USC)

Record: 10-3

Starters: F Taj Gibson, 6-9, Fr. (12.3, 9.4); F Nick Young, 6-6, Jr. (16.2, 4.2); C Abdoulaye N'diaye, 6-11, Sr. (4.6, 4.0); G Lodrick Stewart, 6-4, Sr. (14.3, 4.5); G Daniel Hackett, 6-5, Fr. (6.9 4.8 apg).

Notes: USC shook up its starting lineup in last game, a win over No. 8 Wichita State, but the above five have been regular starters. Trojans getting a big piece back now that junior Gabe Pruitt, an all-conference pick a year ago, has returned from academic problems. Pruitt has just two points in his first two games, however.

Best win: Floyd didn't like what he saw during a lethargic loss to Kansas State on Friday and benched Hackett, N'diaye and Young the next night against Wichita State. Young came off the bench to score 26 as USC won 60-56.

Worst loss: USC opened its season with an overtime loss to South Carolina in its first game in its new on-campus arena, the Galen Center.

Bottom line: If Pruitt works quickly back into the fold, USC might have the best backcourt in the conference. Lack of depth and inexperience up front, however, will keep the Trojans in middle of the pack.

Washington State

Coach: Tony Bennett (11-1 in first season at WSU)

Record: 11-1

Starters: F Daven Harmeling, 6-7, So. (8.5, 2.9); F Robbie Cowgill, 6-10, Jr. (7.0, 5.3); G Nikola Koprivica, 6-6, Fr. (4.3, 1.7), G Derrick Low, 6-2, Jr. (15.5, 2.2); G Kyle Weaver, 6-6, Jr. (10.4, 3.8 apg).

Notes: Cougars are off to their best start since 1991-92 season, when they finished 22-11. Koprivica is a native of Serbia who moved into the starting lineup against San Diego State. Cowgill, Low and Weaver have started every game.

Best win: WSU hasn't beaten a lot of heavy hitters but its 77-67 win over Gonzaga gives the Cougars' sterling record a lot of credibility.

Worst loss: WSU's only loss was a 69-55 defeat at Utah against a middling Utes squad.

Bottom line: Cougars entered the conference season on a roll last season, as well, then flopped to a 4-14 Pac-10 record. But this team has more experience and is adapting well to Tony Bennett's more relaxed style, and the Cougars look like legitimate contenders for a tournament berth.

Stanford

Coach: Trent Johnson (41-29 in third season at Stanford)

Record: 7-2

Starters: F Lawrence Hill, 6-8, So. (15.0, 6.1); F Fred Washington, 6-5, Sr. (7.8, 4.9); C Robin Lopez, 7-0, Fr. (9.7, 7.1); G Anthony Goods, 6-4, So. (11.8, 4.3); G Mitch Johnson, 6-1, So. (5.8, 5.0 apg).

Notes: The Cardinal has battled injuries all season. The good news is that freshman center Brook Lopez, Robin's twin, is back and played 20 minutes in Stanford's last game. The bad is that junior center Peter Prowitt remains out.

Best win: Stanford made Bobby Knight wait a little longer to break Dean Smith's record, handing Texas Tech a 70-59 defeat on Dec. 3. The Cardinal also won at Fresno State last week 69-67.

Worst loss: The Cardinal has been blown out twice at home, 79-45 by Air Force and 62-46 by Santa Clara. Air Force is a top 25 team, but the Santa Clara loss elicited some head-scratching.

Bottom line : Lots of youth figures to lead to lots of varying performances from the Cardinal. But if the Lopez twins progress quickly, Stanford could be real dangerous down the stretch.

California

Coach: Ben Braun (104-125 in 11th season at Cal)

Record: 8-4

Starters: F Theo Robertson, 6-6, So. (7.8, 4.1); F Ryan Anderson, 6-10, Fr. (17.7, 9.3); G Omar Wilkes, 6-4, Jr. (10.7, 1.9), G Patrick Christopher, 6-5, Fr. (3.5, 1.5); G Ayinde Ubaka, 6-4, Sr. (12.2, 5.5 apg);

Notes: The Bears suffered a major loss when center DeVon Hardin was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot. He had surgery last week and will be out 8-12 weeks, meaning he could miss the entire conference season. Hardin's loss leaves Cal vulnerable in the middle as center Jordan Wilkes suffered a season-ending knee injury in November. The Bears are down to nine healthy scholarship players.

Best win: The Bears beat Marshall, Hawaii and Loyola-Marymount to take the Great Alaska Shootout in November.

Worst loss: Cal wore down late at DePaul on Saturday, losing 90-62 to illustrate how much the Bears figure to miss Hardin.

Bottom line: Hard to know what to make of the Bears now that Hardin is out, though there's still enough talent to make Cal tough to beat on any given night. Anderson has become one of the best frosh in the conference and Ubaka is one of the best point guards. But Cal could be in too deep a hole by the time Hardin returns.

Oregon State

Coach: Jay John (63-69 in fifth season at OSU)

Record: 8-5

Starters: F Marcel Jones, 6-8, Jr. (15.8, 5.5); F Sasa Cuic, 6-10, Jr. (12.5, 3.5); C Kyle Jeffers, 6-9, Sr. (6.2, 6.6); G Wesley Washington, 6-3, Jr. (6.1, 2.5); G Josh Tarver, 6-3, Fr. (10.4, 3.6 apg)

Notes: Eleven Beavers have gotten starts as John has tried to find a combination that works.

Best win: OSU hasn't beaten anyone from a BCS conference. Its best performance was a 60-53 loss to LSU that was close throughout.

Worst loss: OSU lost at Hawaii 85-41 after allowing the host Warriors to score the first 25 points.

Bottom line: LSU game indicated there's enough talent to win some games, though the rest of the nonconference slate hasn't been very impressive. OSU opens Pac-10 play with three at home, and success or failure in those games figures to tell a lot.

Arizona State

Coach: Herb Sendek (6-5 in first season at Arizona State).

Record: 6-5

Starters: F Jeff Pendergraph, 6-10, So. (11.5, 9.5); F Serge Angounou, 6-8, Sr. (10.8, 8.4); G Christian Polk, 6-3, Fr. (14.7, 2.5); G Jerren Shipp, 6-3, Fr. (8.5, 3.5); G Antwi Atuahene, 6-3, Jr. (8.5, 4.1 apg);

Notes: Hopes aren't high for this year, but Sendek is off to a fast start in recruiting, putting together a class generally ranked among top 20 in the nation, led by guard James Harden of Lakewood, Calif.; and including Jamelle McMillan of O'Dea, the son of Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan.

Best win: ASU rallied from a 12-point deficit with just under six minutes left to beat Iowa 67-64 on Nov. 25.

Worst loss: Pick 'em. ASU has lost at home to Portland State, Northern Arizona and Davidson.

Bottom line: Sun Devils aren't the most talented team, but Sendek will have them ready every night and they will pull off a few upsets.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com. Read his blogs on Washington football and basketball at www.seattletimes.com/huskies.