November 5th, 2005
Pac-10 Basketball Preview: Team Capsules
This is Part Two of
Shane's Pac-10 Preview. Part one includes
general Pac-10 commentary, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and
All-Conference teams.
Predicted Order of
Finish
1.
Arizona
-- You’ve heard of addition by subtraction? Despite losing two players to
the NBA, it is possible that the Wildcats are better than last season.
Insiders say chemistry is at its best since the 1997 national championship
squad. And no longer can four Arizona players stand around and watch
Stoudamire make a play in the waning moments of the shot clock. Hassan Adams
is one of the top 10 players in the country, and even without McClellan, the
Cats have plenty of options at the wing. With a slimmed down Isaiah Fox, an
improved Kirk Walters and always developing Ivan Radenovic, the frontcourt
is as deep as its been since the Joseph Blair, Ray Owes, Ben Davis days of
the mid-90s The most interesting internal battle will be at point guard,
where freshman J.P. Prince could challenge the incumbent Shakur for big
chunks of minutes.
2.
Stanford
– If the knee injury heard ‘round the Farm turns out to be a non-issue, 6-6
senior forward Dan Grunfeld should help the Cardinal challenge Arizona for
the top spot in the Pac. Point guard Chris Hernandez returns for what seems
like his sixth year, and is a shoe-in for first team all conference honors.
Traditionally strong in the post, senior Matt Haryasz anchors head coach
Trent Johnson’s front court this season. The loss of Nick Robinson and Robb
Little will be offset by the arrival of two highly touted freshmen, point
guard Anthony Goods and 6-8 power forward Lawrence Hill from Phoenix.
3.
UCLA –
With sophomore small
forward Josh Shipp out until at least December following hip surgery, it
would have been justifiable to drop the Bruins down to fourth or fifth. But
we’re sticking with UCLA in the three spot. Ben Howland does some of his
best coaching with his back to the wall, and his other two super sophs,
Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo, have enough experience and talent to get
the Bruins by until conference play begins. Cedric Bozeman returns after
missing all of the 2005/06 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament,
and the 6-6 guard’s size and athleticism creates match up problems at for
opposing coaches on the wing.
4.
Washington –
No Nate, no problem? Well,
not exactly. The Dawgs will miss their diminutive point guard and the energy
he brought every night, regardless of the competition. The return of Roy
(12.8 ppg) should ease the pain, as should the arrival of Florida transfer
Ryan Appleby, projected to start at point. Brockman could be to the power
forward position what Robinson was to the point: a catalyst on both sides of
the ball. According to Romar, the Snohomish, Wash. native approaches the
game like he doesn’t have a scholarship.
5.
California –
The expectations around
Berkeley aren’t unreasonable, but pardon the natives if they are getting a
bit restless after missing the post season the past two years. That will
change this year, assuming the surgically repaired knee of power forward
Leon Powe holds up. If his domination of a summer pro-am league in San
Francisco is any indication, the knee is fine. Without a doubt, Cal will be
the most improved team in the Pac. Point guard Ayinde Ubaka is healthy and
fully recovered from a broken foot that caused him to miss a good portion of
last season. And Kansas transfer Omar Wilkes could crack the two-guard spot
by the time conference play begins.
6.
Oregon –
As the frontcourt goes
this season, so go the Ducks. Oregon is loaded in the backcourt, with point
guard Aaron Brooks and wings Bryce Taylor and Malik Hairston. The arrival of
Los Angeles Southwest Community College transfer Ivan Johnson, who
originally committed to Cincinnati, could add some much-needed balance to
Oregon’s offensive attack and provide a defensive presence down low.
7.
Arizona State –
Seventh could turn to 10th
in a hurry if head coach Rob Evans doesn’t get immediate contributions from
junior college transfer Antwi Atuahene and freshmen Jeff Pendergraph and
Sylvester Seay. The Sun Devils lost three starters off last year’s squad,
including rebounding/scoring monster Ike Diogu to the NBA. Junior power
forward Serge Angounou (8.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg) will be counted on to up his
rebounding and scoring, and coupled with the 6-9 Seay, could provide ASU
with a solid frontcourt.
8.
USC –
Tim Floyd’s return to the college ranks is a welcome site for Trojans fans
who’ve theoretically dealt with four head coaches in less than a year. The
former New Orleans and Iowa State head coach brings his defensive mentality
to a conference (and town) used to running and gunning. Offense could end up
being Southern Cal’s strong suit, however, with sophomores Gabriel Pruitt
and Nick Young both capable of creating their own points. Moreover, players
should improve in Floyd’s structured, half-court offense in which they’ll
get lots of high percentage shots.
9.
Oregon State –
Head coach Jay John has
the Beavers headed in the right direction – about the only direction
to head considering OSU has been lingering in the cellar since the early
90s. Six-eight senior Nate DeWitz should be one of the conferences better
frontcourt players, and 6-10 sophomore Sasa Cuic prefers to float around the
perimeter, where he creates match up woes for opposing power forwards.
10.
Washington State –
Dick Bennett’s teams
always get the most out of their ability, but even the sage coach will have
trouble this season relying on his system of hard-nose defense and
methodical offense. Gone is the steady point guard play of Thomas Kelati and
the consistent contributions of offensive workhorse Jeff Varem. So Bennett
will have to rely on a mix of young players (sophomore guard Derrick Low and
center Robbie Cowgill) and Juco transfers – Ivory Clark and Rodney Edgerson.
Return to Pac-10
Preview: Part One, which includes
general Pac-10 commentary, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and
All-Conference teams.
