It may be early in the season, but Saturday will reveal a great deal about the balance of power in the Pacific-10 Conference.
The Pac-10’s top two teams battle in Palo Alto, Calif., when Arizona plays No. 7 Stanford. The three-time defending Pac-10 champion Cardinal (11-2 overall, 4-0 Pac-10) has lost only two games this season, both to teams currently ranked in the top five. Arizona (11-3, 3-0) has won 10 of its last 11 games and is hungry for an upset.
Along with being pivotal to the final conference standings, Saturday’s match-up will double as a showcase of some of the nation’s top talent. Stanford is led by senior forward Nicole Powell. The two-time Kodak First Team All-American is second in the conference in scoring (20.2) and tops in rebounding (11.1).
Arizona is powered by the duo of sophomore center Shawntinice Polk and junior guard Dee-Dee Wheeler. Each has taken home a Pac-10 Freshman of the Year award while helping to turn the Wildcats into a conference power.
At 6-foot-5 with a sturdy frame, Polk is virtually indefensible when she catches the ball in the low post. She is fourth in the conference in scoring (17.2) and third in rebounding (9.2). Wheeler, a First Team All-Pac-10 selection last season, is sixth in scoring at 16.9 points per game.

Fuel injected
Oregon State received a boost on Dec. 27 when guard Shannon Howell was eligible to play due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. The junior transfer from Nebraska earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors while leading the Beavers to three wins in her first four games. Howell is averaging 22.5 points per game and has Oregon State in third place in the conference.
“Shannon Howell seems to be a dynamite player who is scoring prolifically,” Oregon head coach Bev Smith said. “She really adds to their aggressive defensive game and their zone. She really seems to be able to shoot the ball and open up the perimeter for them.”

Clutch comeback
UCLA used a full-court press to overcome a 14-point second-half deficit against Oregon on Jan. 4, eventually winning 63-57. The Bruins used a 23-5 run to keep from slipping to 0-3 in the conference.

Quality start
At 9-4, California is off to its best start in 11 years. The Golden Bears also won their first conference opener in eight years when they defeated Oregon 61-57 on Dec. 27. They won their first three games of the season over South Carolina State, San Jose State and Lehigh.

Scoring duo
Washington features the Pac-10’s top- and third-leading scorers in seniors Giuliana Mendiola (20.8) and Andrea Lalum (17.8). The duo has led the Huskies to near wins over then-No. 4 Texas Tech (74-70) on Dec. 19 and then-No. 9 Stanford (77-69) on Jan. 4.

National respect
Along with Stanford receiving the No. 7 ranking in this week’s Associated Press Poll, the Pac-10 had three other teams receive votes. Arizona received 22 votes, Oregon garnered 19 votes and Washington received four votes. Oregon State received one vote in the ESPN/USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll.

Comeback trail
Portland native Betsy Boardman has returned to the lineup this season to lead Arizona State in scoring with 11.3 points per game. The junior guard tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during the second day of preseason practice last year. The former Beaverton High School star is also averaging 4.6 rebounds per game.

Slow start
Washington, which was picked by some to have an outside shot at winning the Pac-10, is off to a 1-3 start in conference play. Next up for the Huskies are road games against USC and UCLA.