1. Stanford Cardinal: Nicole Powell can play every position well, from point guard to post. The roster is loaded with veteran players, such as guards Susan King Borchardt, Kelley Suminski and Sebnem Kimyacioglu. This is a team that can reach at least the Elite Eight.
Returning starters: Five.
Best returning player: Powell.
Strengths: Great balance, players proven in high-profile situations, coaching. Weaknesses: Injuries have been troublesome in the past.
2. Arizona Wildcats: Post Shauntinice Polk causes matchup problems for everyone because of her size (6-foot-5) and bulk. The Wildcats also have a great backcourt duo in Dee-Dee Wheeler and Aimee Grzyb. It all means they can challenge Stanford for the Pac-10 crown.
Returning starters: Three.
Best returning player: Polk.
Strengths: Best post in the league, quick, good-shooting backcourt.
Weaknesses: Replacing forward Krista Warren may be a problem. If Polk is injured, who can make even a fraction of her impact? Free throws.
3. Washington Huskies: Injuries and graduation have taken a huge bite out of the Huskies, but they still have the Pac-10 Player of the Year returning in guard Giuliana Mendiola. A new, attack-style defense is paying dividends. Washington isn’t about outscoring its opponents anymore. The Huskies are scoring more points off their defense.
Returning starters: Two.
Best returning player: Mendiola.
Strengths: All-around great play and leadership by Mendiola, veteran post Andrea Lalum, three freshmen who, at times, play like juniors.
Weaknesses: After Mendiola and Lalum, there’s little offensive firepower. Injuries have drained much of the talent. Can the Huskies rely on inexperienced players?
4. USC Women of Troy: Two-time All-Pac-10 pick Ebony Hoffman is the heart and soul of a team itching to break out of the middle of the pack. She and guard Rometra Craig lead a young team that is tough, athletic and motivated.
Returning starters: Four.
Best returning player: Hoffman.
Strengths: Rebounding, a brutal preseason schedule that included UConn and Seton Hall, seven freshmen who make up one of the nation’s great recruiting classes.
Weaknesses: Replacing guard Aisha Hollins, inconsistent play.
5. UCLA Bruins: Without superstar Michelle Greco, the Bruins will be hard-pressed to duplicate their 18 wins of last season. But Nikki Blue, an All-Pac-10 guard as a freshman last year, plays beyond her years. Sophomores and freshmen will have to carry this team.
Returning starters: Three.
Best returning player: Blue.
Strengths: Maybe the most athletic team in the conference. Five of the team’s top six scorers return.
Weaknesses: Youth, no matter how skilled. Greco will be impossible to replace.
6. Oregon State Beavers: With three straight NIT appearances, the Beavers are ready for a move up and they may get it. Guard Leilani Estavan is an all-conference guard who can score from everywhere. Hollye Chapman and Brina Chaney add strength up front and improve every year. This could be OSU’s year.
Returning starters: Three.
Best returning player: Estavan.
Strengths: A hustling, pressure defense. Homecourt advantage (13-2 last year). Chaney is a great shot-blocker.
Weaknesses: Boardwork, outside shooting.
7. Arizona State Sun Devils: This could be an unfairly low ranking, considering last year’s youth and injuries. Betsy Boardman returns from a knee injury and sophomore Jill Noe can play with anyone in the conference. ASU took its lumps last year, starting as many as five freshmen, but the Sun Devils are better off for it this season.
Returning starters: Five.
Best returning player: Noe.
Strengths: Six Sun Devils taller than 6-1. Rebounding. Dedication to tough, in-your-face defense.
Weaknesses: Scoring. After Boardman and Noe, ASU needs someone else to help the offense. Better results on the road than last year’s 3-10 mark away from home.
8. Oregon Ducks: Six of the Ducks’ top seven scorers return, but post Cathrine Kraayeveld may be lost for the season because of a knee injury. Seven newcomers combine with seven returners, but the Ducks have been solid in the preseason. Sophomore Carolyn Ganes was on the all-freshman team last year and junior center Andrea Bills is tough inside.
Returning starters: Four.
Best returning player: Ganes.
Strengths: Experienced starters and bench. Potentially great inside game in Bills and 6-6 freshman Jessica Shetters.
Weaknesses: Defense and rebounding have been problems in the past and must be addressed. Guard Brandi Davis is a fine outside shooter, but the Ducks need to have someone step up and take pressure off her.
9. Cal Golden Bears: Defense has been the Bears’ staple, but they need to upgrade their point production. Perhaps help comes from 6-2 center Emmelie Garaedts, the youngest member of the Dutch National team. Still, with three starters returning, including leading scorer Nihan Anaz, Cal is hoping for better days.
Returning starters: Three.
Best returning player: Anaz.
Strengths: Stifling, harassing defense that never seems to relent. The roster is aging, which should mean improvement.
Weaknesses: Shooting, scoring, ball-handling.
10. Washington State Cougars: Second-year coach Sherri Murrell brings in four freshmen and a JC transfer in hopes of continuing to lay a foundation. This isn’t an overnight project. Still, the Cougars return all five starters and experience can only help. Center Bianca McCall was honorable-mention all-conference last year.
Returning starters: Five.
Best returning player: McCall.
Strengths: Knowledge that the Cougs are getting closer to competing consistently. McCall scored in double figures in 21 of 28 games and had nine double-doubles, fourth in the league.
Weaknesses: Rebounding and defense. And they need to cut down on last year’s average of 24 turnovers a game.
John Sleeper, Herald writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
