STF CONFERENCE PREVIEW: PAC-10

LAST SEASON RECAP: The Pac-10 was arguably the toughest conference top-to-bottom last season. With the expected (UCLA) to the surprising (Wash St., Oregon, USC), the Pac-10 managed to send six teams to the big dance and those teams made plenty of noise when they got there. With three of those six reaching the Sweet 16, and one (UCLA) reaching the Final Four before falling victim to the eventual National Champion Gators. Before the big dance started however, it was UCLA once again taking home the regular season crown while Oregon managed to win the conference tournament. It was about as good a year as anyone could have have expected from the Pac-10.

TEAM TO BEAT: It has to be UCLA doesn't it? Despite losing go-to guy Aaron Afflalo the Bruins return their offensive catalyst Darren Collison, second leading scorer Josh Shipp and the forward duo from Cameroon in Alfred Aboya and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute. Insert the #1 ranked recruit in all the land in freshman center Kevin Love and it doesn't look like the Bruins will miss a beat.

SECOND TIER: I'm rolling with Arizona here despite the disappointment the Wildcats have been the last two seasons. With perennial headache Marcus Williams out of the picture and Chase Budinger returning the talent rich roster in Tucson should cash in on all of that potential. USC will be dynamic offensively with O.J. Mayo and will be able to keep up with anyone, but it's hard not to imagine what would have been had Gabe Pruitt and Nick Young stayed in school. Washington State returns most of it's roster, including stars Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver and will once again contend for the Pac-10 crown. A year older Stanford will be even better than last year and possess the toughest match up for UCLA up front with the Lopez twins.

SLEEPER: Cal - Though they were disappointing last season finishing with a 16-17 (6-12) record and getting bounced from the conference tournament easily by Oregon. That was without 6-foot-11 center DeVon Hardin who missed the season's final 22 games with a leg injury. If guards Theo Robertson and Jerome Randle can keep defense's honest for Hardin and leading scorer Ryan Anderson the Bears can make some noise. I think they will, so don't be surprised when Cal knocks off a few of the Pac-10 giants.

OVERRATED: Oregon - Some would argue Tajuan Porter was the true catalyst for this team last year and they won't miss much with Aaron Brooks departure as they return the rest of their core. I disagree though, defense's keyed on Brooks and allowed Porter and everyone else to flourish. Plus this team is unbelievably streaky as they rely heavily on the three ball and when that's not falling they can't get anything done. Sure they'll still be good, but their an upset waiting to happen against the bigger, stronger, more balanced teams at the top of the Pac-10.

WORST TEAM: Arizona State - This isn't a slam dunk as they could jump Oregon State, but with the import of C.J. Giles from Kansas OSU should be just good enough to hold off the improving Sun Devils. ASU has added talent, but it's young and the Pac-10 should be even better. The Sun Devils probably won't have another 15-game losing streak, but they won't be winning any conference road games, either.

STF PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

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