PACIFIC 10 BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Talented Guards Add Strength to League From Top to Bottom

There is guarded optimism that this is going to be a big season for Pacific 10 Conference basketball. It might be the strongest from top to bottom in recent years.

And guarded is the right word. Every school, it seems, has at least one outstanding guard and some have backcourt tandems that rank high in the country.

Begin with Jason Kidd, the precocious sophomore at California. Kidd showed the NCAA and the rest of the nation that he is among the very best around.

He will team with junior K.J. Roberts, giving the Bears, ranked sixth in national preseason ratings, a potent pair. Kidd led the nation in steals with almost four a game and ran the Cal attack into the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.

UCLA, with senior Shon Tarver and junior Tyus Edney, ranks right behind the Bears in backcourt ability. Another strong duo is Arizona’s junior Damon Stoudamire and senior Khalid Reeves.

With such fine ballhandlers, the Pac-10 teams should be able to handle both of the major rule changes. One change reduces the time allowed on the shot clock from 40 seconds to 35. The other does away with the five-count rule that prevented a player from controlling the ball when closely guarded, meaning that Kidd, Stoudamire, USC’s Burt Harris and other ballhandlers will be able to control the ball in tight games.

Almost nobody in the conferencce, however, likes the discontinuance of the five-second rule. Some think it will make it almost impossible to come from behind in the closing minutes and will make it tougher to play defense.

Kidd, who could benefit by it as much as anyone, is against it.

“We believe in continuity, keeping the ball moving,” he said. “It will be more difficult to do now. We want a wide-open game, and this may harm it.”

Here is a rundown, in alphabetical order for the conference teams, except USC and UCLA, including last season’s overall and conference records:

ARIZONA

1992-93 records: 24-4, 17-1

Conference finish: First

The Wildcats have won the championship in five of the last six seasons, and in three of them have had 17-1 records. They also have a habit of leaving the NCAA tournament early.

Lute Olson begins his 10th season as coach with a 165-32 record and has the nucleus of a strong team.

“I think this is the best balance in the league since I came,” he said. “We start with Stoudamire and Reeves and build from there.”

The loss of Chris Mills, the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder, and 7-foot center Ed Stokes might cause a problem up front, where the only returning starter is 6-7 Ray Owes. Usually one of the big teams, the Wildcats will be among the shorter up front.

ARIZONA STATE

1992-93 records: 18-10, 11-7

Conference finish: Tie for third

The Sun Devils, too, have a strong pair in the backcourt, Stevin (Hedake) Smith and Marshall Capers. Smith led the conference in scoring last season. The Sun Devils figure to have a problem up front, but if Mario Bennett, an outstanding freshman two years ago, makes it back from surgery, they will have a shot at the title. He is due back in early January.

CALIFORNIA

1992-93 records: 21-9, 12-6

Conference finish: Second

Kidd and his young friends finished fast, winning eight in a row before losing to Kansas in the round of 16 last season. Coach Todd Bozeman, only a few years older than his players, finished with an 11-2 record after replacing Lou Campanelli at midseason.

The Bears will open the season without injured starters Alfred Grigsby and K.J. Roberts, which means Lamond Murray, the leading scorer as a sophomore, and Kidd must carry the load early.

OREGON

1992-93 records: 10-20, 3-15

Conference finish: Ninth

Graduation, defection and injury forced second-year Coach Jerry Green to recruit seven new players--four junior college transfers and three freshmen.

Point guard Jeff Potter and Orlando Williams, who made 42% of his three-point shots, form the nucleus. The Ducks have no sophomores and no seniors.

OREGON STATE

1992-93 records: 13-14, 9-9

Conference finish: Tie for fifth

The Beavers faded after a good start last season, losing six of their last nine games. Because of graduation, and with junior Mustapha Hoff sidelined for the season because of a back problem, they are missing their top four scorers from last year. Coach Jim Anderson said he is not really worried, maybe with good reason: He recently signed a seven-year contract. He says Rick Barry’s son, guard Brent Barry, will be much improved over last year.

STANFORD

1992-93 records: 7-23, 2-16

Conference finish: Last

After six consecutive winning seasons at Stanford, Mike Montgomery couldn’t make up for injuries that devastated his team last season.

The Cardinal has two three-year veterans, center Jim Morgan and forward Brent Williams. Montgomery expects big things from guard Dion Cross and forward Darren Allaway, who were rushed into starting jobs as freshmen.

WASHINGTON

1992-93 records: 13-14, 7-11

Conference finish: Eighth

The only new coach is Bob Bender, who came from Illinois State. Graduation, legal problems and other departures have left him in a tough situation.

Only 14% of last year’s scoring returns.

“It’s an honor to coach in the Pac-10 and we’ll play with enthusiasm,” Bender said. “For sure, it’s an eager bunch because everyone gets a chance to play.”

WASHINGTON STATE

1992-93 records: 15-12, 9-9

Conference finish: Tie for fifth

The Cougars figure to be a top contender because of sharpshooting guards Eddie Hill and Tony Harris.

Look for 6-11 Mark Hendrickson, who had a brilliant freshman season, to become a star.