Extreme makeover, Pac-10 edition
Arizona State basketball player Jeff Pendergraph released a statement through the school the other day letting people know he was coming back for his senior season and wasn't interested in NBA early entry.
What's up with that?
Almost everyone else with a heady reputation in the Pac-10 Conference has hired an agent or is consulting an unpaid adviser. Bags are packed. Lockers are empty. Jobs are vacant.
According to nbadraft.net, 10 of the 30 first-round picks this June will be Pac-10 players, with all except Washington State guard Kyle Weaver an underclassman set to burn college eligibility, effectively altering the look of their old league in dramatic fashion.
"A lot of talent is leaving, but a lot is coming in," Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said.
What he didn't say is this: While the dwindling manpower likely brings much of the league back to the second-division Huskies, the already laudable coaching turned a lot tougher, with Lute Olson returning after a one-year absence at Arizona and former Stanford leader Mike Montgomery creating a buzz across the Bay Area by signing on at rival California.
Once Stanford finds a replacement for Trent Johnson -- and it won't be Montgomery -- the Pac-10 will have turned over 40 percent of its coaches since last season. New and old, these coaches will earn their six- and seven-figure salaries this season. Forty percent of the league's starting jobs will be available should the likeliest candidates for NBA early entry move on. Just three of the Pac-10's top 15 players from last season -- Washington forward Jon Brockman, Arizona State guard James Harden and Sun Devils big man Pendergraph -- stand to be all who return.
With so much roster churn, look for the league to break from the status quo next season -- meaning UCLA, coming off three consecutive Final Four appearances to finding its veteran manpower suddenly as thin as coach Ben Howland's retreating mane, might not be favored. Consider the following radical reorganization:
1. Arizona State -- Weren't the Sun Devils a sorry, last-place team just two years ago, you ask? Two reasons for total turnaround optimism: All five starters return for ASU (21-13), foremost Harden (17.8 points per game), a first-team All-Pac-10 selection as a freshman, and 6-foot-9 Pendergraph (12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), a third-teamer, and coach Herb Sendek has made it clear he's one of those guys who makes things happen in a hurry.
"I've got to get in the heads of my teammates and tell them that's a possibility," Pendergraph said.
2. USC -- Heralded freshman guard O.J. Mayo stuck around Los Angeles just long enough to learn the freeway system, but four starters will be back, provided sophomore forwards Taj Gibson and freshman Davon Jefferson, who currently aren't among the top 60 on the draft board, don't impulsively follow Mayo out the door. Pair them with junior guards Daniel Hackett and Dwight Lewis, and heralded freshman forward Demar DeRozan, and Tim Floyd's Trojans (21-12) should be heavyweights.
3. UCLA -- The Bruins (35-4) will reload, but not with seasoned players, with center Kevin Love, guard Russell Westbrook and guard Darren Collison each rated among the top 20 players in the draft and certain to move on. Forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute likewise is exploring his pro options. Also, forward Alfred Aboya, a part-time starter, might graduate and not return.
Consider this remade starting lineup: senior Josh Shipp (12.2 ppg) and freshman Drew Gordon at forwards, junior James Keefe at center, and senior Michael Roll and freshman Jrue Holiday at guards.
4. WSU -- A falloff is expected for the Cougars after a pair of 26-victory seasons under Tony Bennett and the loss of three four-year starters, but it might not be that severe. WSU (26-9) will build around returning starters and potential All-Pac-10 picks in 6-10, 275-pound senior Aron Baynes, the most established big man league-wide, and senior guard Taylor Rochestie, a natural floor leader.
Team them successfully with senior forward Daven Harmeling, an instant-offense player, and touted freshmen Klay Thompson and Michael Harthun, and Bennett could have everybody else trying to hire him away again after next season.
5. Arizona -- Guard Jerryd Bayless checked out after one season for the NBA and a top-five slot in the draft, and high-scoring forward Chase Budinger shouldn't be too far behind if his projected draft position stays true (20 or better). That leaves Olson with more work to do than usual with the Wildcats (19-15) as he returns to coaching following a one-year layoff.
Starters back will be 6-10 junior center Jordan Hill (13.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and junior guard Nic Wise. Freshmen will fill in most holes, led by five-star guard recruit Brandon Jennings.
6. Washington -- The Huskies (16-17) will be as experienced as anyone in the league, returning 10 of 12 players, including three starters in sophomore guard Venoy Overton, senior (albeit injured) center Artem Wallace and Brockman, the league's leading rebounder and double-double player (17.8 ppg, 11.6 rpg).
Outside shooting will be this team's top concern. Freshman guard Isaiah Thomas (provided he becomes eligible) will be heavily counted on to provide offense and excitement for Romar.
7. Oregon -- Coach Ernie Kent needs to produce in a big way or get cut loose. After losing three four-year starters, his task is a difficult one. He will rebuild the Ducks (18-14) around junior guard Tajuan Porter (13.9 ppg) and junior forward Joevan Catron.
Kent will mix in a touted six-man recruiting class, which includes three newcomers from Chicago, with 6-10 center Michael Dunigan drawing the most attention. The guess is Kent doesn't survive.
8. California -- If Montgomery can convince 6-10 sophomore Ryan Anderson, a first-team All-Pac-10 forward and the league's leading scorer, to return, bump this team as many as four spots higher. However, Anderson (21.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg) has graded out as a late first-round draftee. Starters definitely back for the Golden Bears (17-16) are senior guard Jerome Randle and senior forward Patrick Christopher (15.2 ppg), plus 2007 first-teamer Theo Robertson, who was forced to redshirt last season after having hip surgery.
Montgomery has brought in fired Oregon State coach Jay John and Travis DeCuire, former Mercer Island High School player and Green River CC coach, as assistants.
9. Stanford -- No one lost as much as the Cardinal (28-8) once the season ended and the balls were put away. Pac-10 coach of the year Johnson surprised everyone in Palo Alto by bolting to LSU, and the 7-foot Lopez twins, Brook and Robin, provided their own shocker by both turning to the NBA when it was assumed Robin would stay longer.
That leaves a pair of returning starters in senior guard Anthony Goods and senior guard Mitch Johnson, and a 2007 All-Pac-10 forward and last-season disappointment in senior forward Lawrence Hill for a new coach to build around. Cardinal candidates: Randy Bennett of St. Mary's, Fran McCaffrey of Siena and three former Cardinal assistants, Blaine Taylor of Old Dominion, Eric Reveno of Portland and Doug Oliver, a Johnson staffer.
10. Oregon State -- Craig Robinson took the gamble that few other coaches would consider: attempt to restore the Beavers (6-25, 21 consecutive losses) to respectability after two decades of absolute agony. He has four starters back in junior guards and brothers Josh and Seth Tarver, 6-11 junior center Roeland Schaftenaar and sophomore forward Omari Johnson.
Robinson is still low on talent. His brother-in-law, Barack Obama, has a better chance of winning this year than he does.
COMING AND GOING
PAC-10 FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS
(Projected by nbadraft.net)
3. O.J. Mayo, G, USC
4. Brook Lopez, F, Stanford
5. Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona
9. Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA
13. Kevin Love, C, UCLA
15. Robin Lopez, C, Stanford
19. Chase Budinger, F, Arizona
20. Darren Collison, G, UCLA
26. Ryan Anderson, F, California
29. Kyle Weaver, F, WSU
PAC-10 ELITE RECRUITS
Brandon Jennings, G, Arizona
Jeff Withey, C, Arizona
Michael Dunigan, C, Oregon
Drew Gordon, F, UCLA
Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA
Demar DeRozan, F, USC
Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington
Klay Thompson, G, WSU
See more at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
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