Arizona State [07-08: T-5th, 21-13 (9-9)]
Key Returners: James Harden (58.6 eFG%, 5.2 RPG, 3.2 APG), Jeff Pendergraph (59.3 eFG%, 6.4 RPG, .9 APG), Ty Abbott (52.4 eFG%, 3.6 RPG, 1.5 APG)
Key Losses: None, especially since Harden is not expected to declare for the draft.
Key Additions: Hard to say. I don't think anyone expected Abbott or Kuksiks to come out and contribute so quickly, so who knows how Sendek's next batch of recruits will pan out.
After a difficult 06-07 campaign in which the Sun Devils finished last in conference, Herb Sendek engineered an incredible turnaround to make ASU a serious threat in the loaded Pac 10. Much of the credit has to go to James Harden, perhaps the most overlooked member of this year's freshman class. Harden led all players at 17.8 PPG and did so with excellent efficiency. Harden also contributed significantly to rebounding and has a highly developed game. With Abbott, Kuksiks, and Glasser backing him up, Arizona St. is very well rounded in the back court.
The front court, however, is another issue. While Pendergraph is a solid (if unspectacular) PF/C, Eric Boateng must become a better overall player if ASU expects to compete on a high level. But even if Boateng becomes a significantly better player, Sendek still faces the issue of overall lack of depth at the position. Two incoming recruits(at 6'7'' and 6'8'') may be able to contribute, however, the team may have to resort to playing two small forwards (such as Harden and Kuksiks) and hope to get better production out of Kuksiks on the boards. This may be unreasonable to expect, but only the future can tell.
If Pendergraph and Boateng can endure heavy minutes and avoid foul trouble then the front court issue may be moot, but more likely than not, the lack of size will prove fatal in at least a couple of games. Expectations are high in Tempe for a team that should return every player that counts, but it still may be too soon to expect a Pac 10 title. Regardless, ASU will definitely be a contender.
California [07-08: 9th, 17-16 (6-12)]
Key Returners: Patrick Christopher (51.1 eFG%, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG), Jamal Boykin (52.8 eFG%, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 APG).
Key Losses: Ryan Anderson (55.9 eFG%, 9.9 RPG, 1.4 APG), Devon Hardin (55.4 eFG%, 7.4 RPG, .7 APG).
Key Additions: D.J. Seeley (Rivals: 4/5, #10 SG, #53 overall)
Save for one good season in 05-06, Berkley fans have had to endure one mediocre season after another over the last 5 years under Ben Braun. New head coach Mike Montgomery, who led Stanford to the NCAA tournament 12 times in his 18 year career, should be able to turn the program around, but how quickly depends on star player Ryan Anderson. Should Anderson return Montgomery may have Cal back in the NCAA tournament by the end of next season. Should the sophomore choose the draft, however, Montgomery will have a difficult project ahead of him.
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