TEAM CAPSULES

UCLA

Coach: Steve Lavin, six seasons.

Record: 19-10 overall, 11-7 in Pac-10 (sixth).

National ranking: Not ranked.

RPI: 21.

Leading scorers: Jason Kapono (16.9), Billy Knight (14.1).

Leading rebounder: Dan Gadzuric (7.6).

Why they can win the tournament: With four returning starters and a highly touted freshman class, the Bruins were picked during the preseason to win the conference. Victories over No. 1 Kansas, No. 6 Alabama, No. 15 Arizona and No. 16 Stanford prove they are capable of beating anyone. UCLA is 6-3 against opponents ranked in the top 25 at game time. Dan Gadzuric is playing extremely well and could provide the dominant force needed in a tournament format. The Bruins’ superior depth could give them an edge if they make the final.

Why they won’t: UCLA has gone 1-1 in eight consecutive weeks, a discouraging stretch of inconsistency that does not bode well for winning three games in three days against top conference competition. The inexperience of freshman point guards Cedric Bozeman and Ryan Walcott is likely to be evident. The recent inability of Kapono and Knight to get enough open shots is also a problem. A victory over Cal is likely; a victory over Arizona is not.

Outlook: UCLA will win one, lose one in the tournament, become a No. 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA tournament and be shipped to Dallas or Pittsburgh for the first round.

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CALIFORNIA

Coach: Ben Braun, six seasons.

Record: 21-7 overall, 12-6 in Pac-10 (tie for second).

National ranking: No. 25

RPI: 27.

Leading scorers: Joe Shipp (14.3), Amit Tamir (11.5).

Leading rebounder: Jamal Sampson (6.7).

Why they can win the tournament: Until a 46-point loss to Arizona on Saturday, the Bears were hot, having defeated UCLA and USC at home and Arizona State on the road. Cal has no individual in the top 10 in conference scoring or rebounding, but seven different players led the team in scoring in the last six games (including one tie.) All seven will need to contribute mightily for the Bears to win three days in a row.

Why they won’t: Cal is only 4-6 on the road and lacks a star-quality player who can be relied on to make the big shots night after night. The Bears could squeeze past UCLA by making three-pointers over the Bruin zone defense, but Arizona would be next and the Wildcats clearly own a psychological edge after the regular-season finale.

Outlook: Cal will lose to UCLA in the first round, become a No. 8 seed in the NCAA tournament and will play its first two games in Sacramento.

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ARIZONA

Coach: Lute Olson, 19 seasons.

Record: 19-9 overall, 12-6 in Pac-10 (tie for second).

National ranking: No. 15.

RPI: 7.

Leading scorers: Jason Gardner (20.6), Luke Walton (15.1).

Leading rebounder: Luke Walton (7.4).

Why they can win the tournament: Under Olson, the Wildcats have proved annually that they can gear up and play extremely well against top competition and in a tournament format. There is also the motivation of gaining a No. 2 seeding in the NCAA tournament, a strong possibility if Arizona secures the automatic berth. Tournament-savvy veterans Jason Gardner and Luke Walton will make a difference late in close games.

Why they won’t: Olson is vocal in his disdain for the conference tournament, which he believes forces players to miss too much class time. The Wildcats might be somewhat unfocused as a result, and they aren’t good enough to win three in a row without their best effort. The uneven recent play of freshman center Channing Frye is another concern.

Outlook: Arizona will defeat Arizona State and UCLA to advance to the tournament final and could gain as high as a No. 2 seeding in the NCAA tournament, playing its first two games in Albuquerque.

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ARIZONA STATE

Coach: Bob Evans, four seasons.

Record: 14-13 overall, 7-11 in Pac-10 (fifth).

National ranking: Not ranked.

RPI: 89.

Leading scorers: Chad Prewitt (17.6), Curtis Millage (13.4).

Leading rebounder: Chad Prewitt (6.8).

Why they can win the tournament: Prewitt has evolved into a dangerous weapon, a center who can score from the perimeter as well as bang inside. Getting injured guard Kenny Crandall and forward Awvee Storey back is key to having the depth necessary to have any chance at winning three in a row.

Why they won’t: The Sun Devils have lost three in a row, each to a ranked opponent. There is no reason to believe a three-victory about-face is on the horizon. An unlikely upset of Arizona would merely delay the inevitable elimination, although one victory would assure the Sun Devils of finishing above .500.

Outlook: Arizona State will lose to Arizona in the first round.

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STANFORD

Coach: Mike Montgomery, 16 seasons

Record: 19-8 overall, 12-6 in Pac-10 (tie for second)

National ranking: 16th

RPI: 29th

Leading scorers: Casey Jacobsen (22.2), Curtis Borchardt (17.0)

Leading rebounder: Borchardt (11.3)

Why they can win the tournament: Jacobsen is the one player in the conference who can take over a game with his scoring. He needs to take over three in a row and be complemented with the jump shooting and intimidating defensive presence of conference rebounding leader Borchardt. The rest of the team just needs to get out of the way and not do anything to damage its chances.

Why they won’t: Stanford doesn’t have the depth to win three in a row. Expecting Jacobsen and Borchardt to carry the load game after game is not realistic.

Outlook: The Cardinal will lose for the third time this season to USC, losing their chance at a No. 5 seeding in the NCAA tournament and a berth in Albuquerque. Instead, Stanford will be a No. 7 and be sent to Greenville, N.C.

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USC

Coach: Henry Bibby, six seasons

Record: 20-8 overall, 12-6 in Pac-10 (tie for second)

National ranking: No. 22

RPI: 31st

Leading scorers: Sam Clancy (19.2), Errick Craven (12.1)

Leading rebounder: Clancy (9.8)

Why they can win the tournament: The same three--Sam Clancy, David Bluthenthal and Brandon Granville--who keyed last season’s run to the Elite Eight are now seniors and capable of leading a three-victory blitz through the Pac-10 tournament. Errick Craven, Desmon Farmer and others gives USC a dangerous supporting cast. And there is no lack of motivation for the Trojans, not after Oregon won the regular-season title by beating them on their home floor. USC will enjoy something close to a home-court advantage, but only if its tepid fan base shows up.

Why they won’t: Stanford is a very difficult first-round match-up, as the Trojans have readily admitted. USC defeated the Cardinal twice already, and there is truth to the axiom that beating the same team three times in one season is very difficult.

Outlook: The Trojans will slow Casey Jacobsen and slip past Stanford, gain revenge by beating Oregon, then run out of gas in the final and lose to Arizona. USC will gain a No. 6 seeding in the NCAA tournament and play the first two games in Chicago or Washington D.C.

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OREGON

Coach: Ernie Kent, five seasons

Record: 22-7 overall, 14-4 in Pac-10 (first)

National ranking: No. 9

RPI: 28th

Leading scorers: Fredrrick Jones (18.6), Luke Jackson (15.8)

Leading rebounder: Robert Johnson (7.4)

Why they can win the tournament: Ridnour, a savvy point guard can control the tempo in any environment and gets all his teammates involved. Jones is deserving of the conference most valuable player award and is perhaps the best NBA prospect. He has also made all the big shots lately. Center Chris Christoffersen is improved enough to keep opposing centers such as Stanford’s Curtis Borchardt and UCLA’s Dan Gadzuric from dominating. Down the stretch, Oregon separated itself from the rest of the Pac 10 to win the regular-season title by two games. That momentum could continue.

Why they won’t: Asking Oregon to return to Southern California and win three in a row a week after knocking off USC and UCLA is unrealistic. These are the Ducks, not Duke.

Outlook: Oregon will survive upset-minded Washington, but will fall to USC, a good enough showing to earn a No. 4 seeding in the NCAA tournament and play the first two rounds in Sacramento.

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WASHINGTON

Coach: Bob Bender, nine seasons

Record: 11-17 overall, 5-13 in Pac-10 (eighth)

National ranking: Not ranked.

RPI: 105th

Leading scorers: Doug Wrenn (19.7), Curtis Allen (12.2)

Leading rebounder: David Dixon (7.7)

Why they can win the tournament: The Huskies rivaled UCLA as the biggest disappointment in the conference, and this is a chance at atonement. Washington has defeated first-place Oregon, so anything is possible.

Why they won’t: There are too many good teams in this conference for the underachieving Huskies to possibly win three in a row.

Outlook: Washington will lose to Oregon in the first round and attention will turn to Bender’s job security.

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SCHEDULE AT STAPLES CENTER

Thursday’s First Round (Fox Sports Net)

No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Washington, 1 p.m.

No. 4 USC vs. No. 5 Stanford, 3:30 p.m.

No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 7 Arizona State, 6:30 p.m.

No. 3 California vs. No. 6 UCLA, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Semifinals (Fox Sports Net): 6, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Final (Ch. 2): 3 p.m.