Lawrence Hill will in all likelihood be their best player in the post next year and will need to be more aggressive in rebounding and scoring to make up for the loss of Stanford's star players. In addition, 6'7'' Landry Fields may have to make the transition to forward as 6'8'' freshman Josh Owens saw few minutes while 6'9'' sophomore Will Paul saw no playing time whatsoever. Even if coach Trent Johnson sees significant improvement in Lawrence Hill's game its clear that post play will be a downgrade over this past season. On the bright side, if Mitch Johnson can continue to dish the ball into the post with the same effectiveness he had last year, then at least play in the paint won't be a weakness.

There are few elite programs that are able to avoid the dreaded rebuilding year, and Stanford just is not one of them. Trent Johnson has done an admirable job of continuing the program's success after the departure of former coach Mike Montgomery, but there is no dancing around the fact that the 08-09 Stanford team just is not as talented as recent Cardinal teams. Barring a major surprise, the farm will field an average to good team that will fight it out in the middle of the Pac 10. For the sake of Trent Johnson, let us hope that Montgomery doesn't have to much success in his first year at Berkeley. 

UCLA [07-08: 1st, 35-4 (16-2)]

Key Returners so far: Kevin Love (60.1 eFG%, 10.6 RPG, 1.9 APG), Darren Collison (57.2 eFG%, 2.6 RPG, 3.8 APG), Russell Westbrook (49.5 eFG%, 3.9 RPG, 4.3 APG)

Key Losses: Lorenzo Mata-Real (49.5 eFG%, 3.5 RPG, .2 APG)

Key Additions: Jrue Holiday (Rivals: 5/5, #1 PG, #3 Overall), Drew Gordon (Rivals 4/5, #16 PF, #49 Overall)

What more can be said about UCLA? The Bruins are arguably the most successful basketball program of all time and are beginning to glimpse the glory days of John Wooden under the direction of coach Ben Howland. It is fair to say that no other program, except perhaps Florida, has experienced the same amount of success year in and year out as UCLA over the last 3 years.  But with the draft looming large it is hard to say if the team will continue to achieve at the same level going into 2008-09.

There is no doubt that UCLA will field the deepest and most talented team in the conference should everyone return, but what if Love, Collison, and Westbrook declare for the draft as expected? Luckily for fans of the true blue and gold, the team has quality players waiting in the wings. There is no question that UCLA will not be able to completely replace Love's production, but a rotation of  Mbah-a-Moute, Aboya, Keefe, Dragovic, and the incoming Drew Gordon will go a long way in wearing down opposing post players. In addition, Jrue Holiday should be able to replace Collison or Westbrook without too much drop off in athleticism or talent. The team will also welcome the return of guard Michael Roll, who has sat out most of the season due to injury.

At least until April 26, UCLA is the best team in the Pac 10. Realistically, however, they face losing their three best players to the draft and will have a tough battle to fight in conference. Regardless of how much talent UCLA loses, expect them to be favorites for the Pac 10 title next year through sheer depth and quality coaching.

USC [07-08: T-3rd, 21-12 (11-7)]

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