It seems like every year UCLA is the favorite to win the Pac-10 and this year is no different. Back are familiar faces Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, and Alfred Aboya. Joining them will be the slowly emerging James Keefe, sharp shooter Michael Roll, and a fabulous freshman class highlighted by guard Jrue Holiday and forward Drew Gordon. With the talent on the floor and the brain trust on the bench, a fourth straight Final Four is not out of the question.
Challenging UCLA will primarily be USC and Washington State. The Trojans lost OJ Mayo to the NBA but have a capable replacement in freshman DeMar DeRozan. The steady hand of Daniel Hackett will be key because he knows how to spread the ball and how to lead. Junior Taj Gibson returns up front and will look to regain the positive draft buzz he had after his freshman year.
Washington State returns three solid contributors in big man Aron Baynes, forward Daven Harmeling, and guard Taylor Rochestie. Many of the authorities on college basketball have been touting freshman forward Klay Thompson as a possible star. If Thompson can fulfill these lofty expectations, then coach Tony Bennett should have another successful season on his hands.
A team to watch will be Arizona State. Kevin Love and Mayo outshined James Harden last year as Pac-10 freshman so now Harden will have his time to shine. The Sun Devils have a nice inside out combo with Harden and senior forward James Pendergraph. Pendergraph needs to be as productive on the inside as Harden is on the outside for ASU to be successful.
You also can't count out Arizona as well as a possible surprise team in Oregon. Brandon Jennings shocked the world when he bypassed college for a year of European basketball. Lute Olsen still has junior star Chase Budinger as well as solid big man Jordan Hill. The 'Zona role players like Nic Wise, Jamelle Horne, and Fendi Onobun will have to step up or Arizona will be close to the bubble come March. For Oregon, their hopes will rest on the small shoulders of TaJuan Porter. The 5-foot-6 junior is the Ducks' best player and will need to score early and often every game. Senior Churchill Odia has one more year to fulfill the potential many people thought he had and will need to step up for his team. In the post, Maarty Leunen is gone and now the bulk will fall to talented freshman Michael Dunigan from Chicago. Keep an eye on Joevan Catron, he could in for a big season.
1. UCLA, 2. USC, 3. Washington State, 4. Arizona State, 5. Arizona, 6. Stanford, 7. Washington, 8. Oregon, 9. California, 10. Oregon State
Awards Section:
Player of the Year: James Harden, SG, Arizona State
Freshman of the Year: DeMar DeRozan, G/F, USC
Most Improved Player: Jamelle Horne, F, Arizona
Coach of the Year: Herb Sendek, Arizona State
All Pac-10 1st team:
C Jon Brockman, Washington
PF Taj Gibson, USC
SF Chase Budinger, Arizona
SG James Harden, Arizona State
PG Darren Collison, UCLA
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