Breaking down the Pac-10 women

Outlook: Gray-Lawson, the Pac-10 freshman of the year two seasons ago, is back after missing almost all of last season with an ACL tear. Her return along with the inside combination of Walker and Hampton, one of the best low-post combos in the country, make the Bears a serious threat to end Stanford’s long run of Pac-10 dominance. Hampton has missed most of Cal’s non-conference games with a knee injury, but is expected to be back for the start of Pac-10 play. Boyle, last season’s Pac-10 coach of the year, has the Bears 9-2 and ranked 11th in the country heading into conference play.

Arizona State

Coach: Charli Turner Thorne, 249-179 career (15th season), 209-139 at ASU (12th season)

Last year: 31-5 overall, 16-2 Pac-10 (second). Lost in elite eight of NCAA Tournament.

Key players: G Jill Noe, 5-10, Sr.; C Kirsten Thompson, 6-6, Jr.; G Briann January, 5-8 Jr.

Impact newcomers: F/C Lauren Lacey, 6-3, Jr.; C Sybil Dosty, 6-3 Jr.

Outlook: Last season will be a tough act to follow for Turner Thorne’s Sun Devils, who with 31 wins and a trip to the elite eight had the best season in school history. ASU will be strong defensively, but could struggle to find offense after losing Aubree Johnson and Emily Westerberg to graduation. Transfers Lacey (Minnesota) and Dosty (Tennessee) will help ease that transition, and athletic guard January can score as well. Monroe HS grad Thompson earned Pac-10 player of the week honors earlier this season.

UCLA

Coach: Kathy Olivier, 221-199 career (15th season, all at UCLA).

Last year: 14-18 overall, 7-11 Pac-10 (seventh)

Key players: F Lindsey Pluimer, 6-4; Sr.; G Tierra Henderson, 5-10, Jr.

Impact newcomers: F Nina Earl, 6-1, Fr.; G Doreena Campbell, 5-10, Fr.; G Darxia Morris, 5-8, Fr.; C Regina Rogers, 6-3, Fr.; F Christina Nzekwe, 6-4, Fr.

Outlook: After starting 3-0, the Bruins have stumbled to a 5-6 record heading into their Pac-10 opener. Inconsistent play could be a problem for a UCLA team that will rely on several freshmen. This year’s freshman class has been ranked as high as third nationally, so there is plenty of talent, including Seattle products Rogers and Nzekwe, but not a lot of experience. Pluimer, the Bruins only senior, will have to provide the leadership if UCLA’s record is going to match its talent level. If things come together for the Bruins, they could surprise a few teams at the top of the conference.

USC

Coach: Mark Trakh, 262-164 career (15th season), 63-40 at USC (fourth season)

Last year: 17-13 overall, 10-8 Pac-10 (fifth).

Key players: G Camille LeNoir, 5-6, Jr.; C Nadia Parker, 6-3, Jr.; G Brynn Cameron, 5-10, Jr.

Impact newcomers: G Heather Oliver, 5-10, So.; C Kari LaPlante, 6-5 Fr.

Outlook: After an injury plagued 2006-2007 campaign, Trakh is hoping this year’s Trojans can stay healthy enough to improve upon last season’s fifth-place finish. Getting LeNoir back from the hip injury that cost her 2006-07 season will provide a big boost to the USC backcourt, as she averaged 12.7 points and, 4.1 assists as a sophomore. Also returning is Cameron, who is best known for having a baby with Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, but should also make a name for herself as one of the Pac-10’s best three-point shooters. Out again this season is Jackie Gemelos, who came to USC as one of the country’s top recruits, but has yet to play thanks to two torn ACLs.

Washington

Coach: Tia Jackson, 5-7 career (first season).

Last year: 18-13 overall, 11-7 Pac-10 (fourth). Lost in first round of NCAA Tournament.

Key players: PG Emily Florence, 5-5, Sr.; F/C Andrea Plouffe, 6-2, Sr.; G Sami Whitcomb, 5-10, So.

Impact newcomers: G/F Katelan Redmon, 6-1, Fr.; F Jess McCormack, 6-5, Fr.; G Michelle Augustavo, 6-0, Jr.

Outlook: Injuries and youth have led to some early-season struggles for the Huskies, but an emotional win over Purdue could be just what Washington needs to build confidence heading into Pac-10 play. While she’s not a huge scoring threat, Florence does everything else to keep the team going, including providing leadership. Plouffe just came back from injury and is still returning to form. Prior to Plouffe’s return, Florence was the only senior on the court. Redmon and Whitcomb have been the team’s most consistent scoring threats, while New Zealander McCormack is expected to do big things once her ankle is fully healed.

Oregon

Coach: Bev Smith, 106-88 career (seventh season, all at Oregon).

Last year: 17-14 overall, 8-10 Pac-10 (sixth).

Key players: G Taylor Lilley, 5-6, So.; G Tamika Nurse, 5-8, Jr.; G Kaela Chapdelaine, 5-10, Sr.

Impact newcomers: C Ellyce Ironmonger, 6-4, Fr.; F Nicole Canepa, 6-5, Fr.; F Ellie Manou, 6-2, Fr.

Outlook: With only one junior and one senior on the roster, the Ducks will need a number of young players to adjust quickly to the college game in order for Oregon to contend in conference. Lilley leads the team in scoring and showed with a six for 10 effort last week that she may finally be finding the three-point accuracy that made her one of the conference’s best shooters last year. Finding enough offense to replace departed senior Eleanor Haring and Carolyn Ganes could be a concern.

Arizona

Coach: Joan Bonvicini, 608-279 career (29th season), 283-208 at Arizona (17th season).

Last year: 11-21 overall, 4-14 Pac-10 (T-eighth).

Key players: G Ashley Whisonant, 5-8, Sr.; F Amina Njonkou, 6-1, Jr.; F Rheya Neabors, 6-2, So.; F Rhaya Neabors, 6-1, So.

Impact newcomers: F Ify Ibekwe, 6-1, Fr.; G Tasha Dickey, 5-10, Fr.

Outlook: Injuries took their toll on the Wildcats last season, and they hope a more healthy 2007-08 campaign will result in a better Pac-10 finish. Replacing Joy Hollingsworth, who accounted for 26 percent of Arizona’s scoring last year, will be tough. So far, it’s been Whisonant providing the offense with 14.6 points per game. She also leads the team with 23 steals. Freshman Ibekwe has been solid inside, averaging 11.6 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds.

Oregon State

Coach: Lavonda Wagner, 32-38 career (third season, all at OSU).

Last year: 9-19 overall, 4-14 Pac-10 (T-eighth).

Key players: G Ashley Allen, 5-10, Sr.; G Mercedes Fox-Griffin, 5-7, Jr.; G Brittney Davis, 5-10, Jr.

Impact newcomer: G Talisa Rhea, 5-11, Fr.

Outlook: After winning only nine games last year, Oregon State is off to a 7-4 start thanks in large part to the play of Allen, who leads the conference in scoring. Fox-Griffin, who led the Pac-10 in assists last season with 6.4 per game, is again distributing the ball well (4.9 assists per game). Like so many other Pac-10 teams, the Beavers are young with only one senior and three juniors. Allen’s play is helping ease the loss of Casey Nash, who last season led the Pac-10 in scoring.

Washington State

Coach: June Daugherty, 317-221 career (19th season), 3-8 at WSU (first season).

Last year: 5-24 overall, 1-17 Pac-10 (10th).

Key players: G Katie Appleton, 5-8, Jr.; G Colleen Betteridge, 5-9, So.; F/C Heather Molzen, 6-3, Jr.

Impact newcomers: F Katie Calderwood, 6-0, Fr.; G Jasmine Williams, 5-9, Fr.; G/F Salena Dickerson, 5-11, RS Fr.

Outlook: Appleton, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding, will be expected to carry the Cougars if they hope to get out of the Pac-10 cellar. The transfer of Dickerson from Gonzaga helps add depth, but the Cougars could still be in trouble if injuries become a problem. The Cougars have a tough start to Pac-10 play, opening on the road at conference favorites Stanford and Cal. After that, Daugherty will face Washington, the school that fired her after last season.