Pac 10 Ranked #1 - Return To Glory Days

buddahfan · Aug 14, 2007

In almost any other year, there would be an argument as to which league in the country is the best top to bottom. This year, there is no argument. In fact, the Pac-10 is the best league by a sizable margin, and it really is from top to bottom.

At the top, UCLA lost Arron Afflalo -- much as the Bruins lost Jordan Farmar the year before -- but returns everyone else, including Darren Collison. And it will add the best freshman big man in the country, Kevin Love. Now, the Bruins might be better than the last two Final Four teams.

USC lost two draft picks, but it still has Taj Gibson and adds O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson, to give the Trojans a legit shot at their own Final Four.

Washington State came out of nowhere last year and nearly won the league. With Derrick Low and the entire team essentially back -- including ever-improving Taylor Rochestie- -- the Cougs are the third head to the three-headed league monster.

There is not much drop-off after those three. …

Washington lost frosh stud Spencer Hawes, but the Huskies also return a ton of talent, including Quincy Pondexter, Jon Brockman and Justin Dentmon. UW is nearly unbeatable at home, and with the Huskies having some experience for the first time since their 1-seed three years ago, Lorenzo Romar's bunch might get back to winning road games.

Stanford returns everyone, including the Lopez twins. Cal might have the three best big men no one talks about in DeVon Hardin (who would have been a late first-rounder had he stayed in the NBA draft), Ryan Anderson (a big-time shooting, scoring wing) and Jordan Wilkes (who is returning from injury). And Wilkes might have the biggest upside of them all.

Arizona lost a lot, but that might be a good thing as Jerryd Bayless will team with super soph Chase Budinger. But maybe the biggest addition in the league is Kevin O'Neill returning to the desert as an assistant to help bring back the defense and toughness that has been missing recently.

Oregon lost Aaron Brooks, but Chamberlain Oguchi, Maarty Leunen, Malik Hairston and Tajuan Porter are all back, giving the Ducks plenty of firepower.

Arizona State was not on the mat long with Herb Sendek welcoming in star frosh standout James Harden, frosh Pac-10 legacy Jerren Shipp and Duke transfer Eric Boateng. Mark down the Sun Devils as a spoiler right now.

Even Oregon State has a legit pro prospect in Kansas transfer, C.J. Giles, who has a ton of talent to go along with his 6-10 frame.
-- Doug Gottlieb

ESPN.com - NCB - 2007 Pac-10 ShootAround

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Pac 10 Ranked #1 - Return To Glory Days

buddahfan Retired from Forum

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Pac 10 Ranked #1 - Return To Glory Days

buddahfan Retired from Forum

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