The Arizona women’s basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference this season in the preseason media poll. In one of the top conferences in the nation, the Wildcats must prove themselves against a barrage of talent across the West Coast. The following breaks down the Pac-10, in order of the Arizona Daily Wildcat’s predicted finishes.

Stanford

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 29-5 (17-1)

Conference finish: First

Head coach: Tara VanDerveer, 22nd year

Key returners: Candice Wiggins (G) – 16.9 points per game, 4.1 rebounds; Jayne Appel (F/C) – 13.2 points, 7.5 assists

Key additions: Ashley Cimino (F) (McDonald’s All-American) – 16.7 points as a senior in high school; Jeanette Pohlen (G) (McDonald’s All-American) – 18.9 points as a senior in high school

California

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 23-9 (12-6)

Conference finish: Third

Head coach: Joanne Boyle, third year

Key returners: Devanei Hampton (C) – 16.6 points, 8.0 rebounds; Ashley Walker (F/C) – 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds

Key additions: Kelsey Adrian (G/F) – 11.6 points for Canada’s Senior National team in 2006; Rachelle Federico (G) – 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds as a junior in high school

ASU

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 31-5 (16-2)

Conference finish: Second

Head coach: Charli Turner Thorne, 12th year

Key returners: Reagan Pariseau (G) – 4.1 points, 2.7 assists; Jill Noe (G) – 8.9 points, 2.9 assists

Key additions: Becca Tobin (F) – 191 blocks as a junior in high school (Arizona state record); Stephanie Wilber (G)

USC

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 17-13 (10-8)

Conference finish: Fifth

Head coach: Mark Trakh, fourth year

Key returners: Morghan Medlock (G) – 6.4 points, 4.3 rebounds; Camille LeNoir (G) – 12.7 points, 4.1 assists; Jacki Gemelos (G) – 39.2 points, 8.9 assists, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals as a senior in high school

Key additions: Kate Henderson (F)

Arizona

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 11-21 (4-14)

Conference finish: Eighth (tie)

Head coach: Joan Bonvicini, 17th season

Key returners: Ashley Whisonant (G) – 11.9 points; Amina Njonkou (F) – 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds

Key additions: Sarah Hays (F); Tasha Dickey (G)

UCLA

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 14-18 (7-11)

Conference finish: Seventh

Head coach: Kathy Olivier, 16th season

Key returners: Lindsey Pluimer (F) – 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds; Chinyere Ibekwe (F) – 7.7 points, 6.6 rebounds

Key additions: Candice Brown (F); Nina Earl (F)

Washington

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 18-13 (11-7)

Conference Finish: Fourth

Head coach: Tia Jackson, first year

Key returners: Emily Florence (G) – 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds; Andrea Plouffe (F/C) – 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds

Key additions: Candice Nichols (G); Kali Bennett (C) – 14.6 points as a senior in high school

Oregon

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 17-14 (8-10)

Conference finish: Sixth

Head coach: Bev Smith, eighth season

Key returners: Kaela Chapdelaine (G) – 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds; Tamika Nurse (G) – 9.2 points, 3.3 assists

Key additions: Tatiana Thomas (G/F); Nicole Canepa (F)

Oregon State

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 9-19 (4-14)

Conference finish: Eighth (tie)

Head coach: LaVonda Wagner, fourth season

Key returners: Mercedes Fox-Griffin (G) – 9.5 points, 6.4 assists; Ashley Allen (G) – 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds

Key additions: Alex Mitchell (C); Brittany Eskridge (F)

Washington State

2006-2007 record (Pac-10): 5-24 (1-17)

Conference finish: 10th

Head coach: June Daugherty, second season

Key returners: Katie Appleton (G) – 8.1 points, 2.7 assists; Ebonee Coates (C) – 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds

Key additions: Katie Calderwood (F); Jasmine Williams (G)