Feb. 1, 2011

UCLA is coaches’ choice in Pac-10 preseason poll

National runner-up UCLA claimed the top spot as the Pac-10 released its preseason poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches.

The Bruins picked up eight first-place votes and 79 points after its College World Series appearance a season ago. UCLA, second in 2010, is looking for its first Pac-10 title since 2000. Under head coach John Savage, the Bruins return 20 letter-winners, including a pair of All-America pitchers in juniors Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole (pictured right).

Stanford received the other two first-place votes and registered 66 points, good for second in the poll. Arizona State, which has won the past four conference crowns, came in third with 60 points. One point behind in fourth was Oregon, followed by Arizona, California, Washington State, Oregon State, USC and Washington.

The Pac-10 sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2010, a conference record. The 2011 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 18, with all 10 teams in action that opening weekend. Conference contests commence on Friday, March 25. The regular-season champion earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Pac-10 Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2010 Pac-10, Overall Records)

1. UCLA, 79 (8) (18-9, 51-17)

2. Stanford, 66 (2) (14-13, 31-25)

3. Arizona State, 60 (20-7, 52-10)

4. Oregon. 59 (13-14, 40-24)

5. Arizona, 48 (12-15, 34-24)

6. California, 46 (13-14, 29-25)

7. Washington State, 37 (15-12, 37-22)

8. Oregon State, 28 (12-15, 32-24)

9. USC, 16 (7-20, 28-32)

10. Washington, 11 (11-16, 28-28)

(photo by Craig Jackson)