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Pac-10 overview

'Cats, Cardinal atop conference, and nation

By Steve Rivera, Special to CNNSI.com

Stanford lost some talent, but will remain in good shape with Casey Jacobsen back. Otto Greule Jr./Allsport

Order of Finish 1. Arizona 2. Stanford 3. UCLA 4. USC 5. California 6. Oregon State 7. Arizona State 8. Oregon 9. Washington State 10. Washington

Top storylines

No team in the history of the Pac-10 Conference has ever raced through league play undefeated, although Arizona has gone 17-1 twice. Can the Wildcats, with one of the most talented teams in the country, be the first to do it?

Despite losing senior leaders David Moseley and Mark Madsen, Stanford may have what it takes to stay ranked in the top 10 most of the season behind sophomore guard Casey Jacobsen and the Collins twins (Jarron and Jason).

And can the USC Trojans, with arguably one of the league's best starting fives, stay healthy and in the race for the conference title? The last couple of seasons the Trojans have faltered late because of injuries.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Arizona, Stanford, UCLA, USC	Arizona State, California, Oregon State	Oregon, Washington, Washington State

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Loren Woods, Arizona • He's the most intimidating presence in the league near the basket. Tied NCAA record for blocks in a game (14) against Oregon last season. Finished with school-record 111 before being sidelined with injury. Brian Scalabrine, USC • He could be the most dangerous combination player in the league. He has the ability to play inside and hit the long-range jumper from the perimeter. He's the league's top returning scorer (17.8 ppg). Michael Wright, Arizona • The league's top returning rebounder (8.7 rpg) and the league's top field goal percentage player (56.9 percent).

Top Three Backcourt Players

Casey Jacobsen, Stanford • He's one of the top two three-point shooters in the league despite being an underclassman. Shows poise beyond his years. Led Cardinal in scoring last season (14.5 ppg) as a freshman. Jason Gardner, Arizona • He was national Freshman of the Year on a number of fronts. He's heady, consistent and can hit the three-pointer. Jeff Trepagnier, USC • One of the most athletic players in the league; the league's best defender and most acrobatic dunker.

Top Three Newcomers

Luke Ridnour, Oregon •A Pete Maravich type, who will likely start for the Ducks early in the season and stay there. Phillip Ricci, Oregon State • Averaged a double-double in junior college, but more importantly brings some added help near the basket for the Beavers. Chris Manker, Oregon State • Averaged more than 21 points in high school; added depth in Beavers' frontcourt.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Lute Olson, Arizona • At 66 years of age, he still shows the energy of a coach 20 years younger. Another chance of making Basketball's Hall of Fame comes at the end of the season. He enters the season as one of 33 coaches to have gone over 600 victories (614-219).

Coach on the Hot Seat

Bob Bender, Washington • Another losing season could be the beginning of the end for Bender, who not long ago was one of the hottest coaches in the country. Tough times may have Bender wishing he left when the opportunities (Texas, Vanderbilt) were there.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

Arizona • In the first month, Arizona heads to Maui to possibly face UConn and Illinois, then heads to Indianapolis to face Purdue; it also plays UConn and Illinois in regular season games on the road; and also faces Louisiana State at home.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

USC • Let's see: Loyola Marymount, Cal-State Northridge, Santa Barbara, BYU-Hawaii. Remember to bring suntan oil.

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 25, Arizona vs. Purdue in Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis • Will Arizona be fatigued after playing in Maui just three days earlier and because of the long plane ride across country? Dec. 21, Stanford vs. Duke in Pete Newell Challenge • East vs. West. Both teams should be in the top eight, possibly top five at the time of the game. Dec. 23, North Carolina at UCLA • Tar Heels have revenge on minds after last year's upset loss to the Bruins. Both teams should be in top 15. Jan. 27, Texas at Arizona • Final game in home-and-home series. Can Arizona sweep the series?

Steve Rivera covers the Pac-10 for the Tucson Citizen and will write a conference insider for CNNSI.com this season.

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