PACIFIC GROUP

The new athletic Association of Western Universities includes five of the nine teams from the defunct Pacific Coast Conference, but all nine are scouted here, for convenience and because they still play a PCC-type schedule. At CALIFORNIA five letter-men are back from the 1959 NCAA champions, led by the best big man on the Coast, 6-foot-10 Darrall Imhoff. Coach Pete Newell also has veterans Bill McClintock and Dick Doughty up front but hurts for the experienced ball handlers at guard who comprise the key element in his tight, deliberate offense. He will draw from among last year's reserves, Earl Schultz, Jerry Mann and Bob Wendell, and hope they develop quickly. Stan Morrison, Dave Stafford and sophomores Neil Satre, Steve Chandler and Jim Snyder provide excellent depth at forward, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA has the balance, speed and depth to challenge Cal. Coach Forrest Twogood has his entire starting lineup back, plus two other regulars, plus two outstanding sophomores and a transfer. Bob Hampton and Jim Hanna both started at center last year, but face strong challenges from soph Ken Stanley and transfer John Rudometkin. Starting Forwards John Werhas and Jim White will also be pressed by these two tall newcomers, who play either position. Veteran Guards Bill Bloom, Steve Kemp and Jerry Pimm will share the backcourt with sophomore Chris Appel. At UCLA inexperience is Coach Johnny Wooden's big problem. He has a tall, rugged front line that includes Kent Miller, Warnell Jones, Gary Cunningham, Pete Blackman and John Berberich—all at least 6 feet 5 but a year away from their full potential. The backcourt will be filled regularly by transfer students: Bill Ellis for sure, and either Bob Berry or Billy Hicks. Reserves include Cliff Brandon, Brian Kniff, John Green and Stan Anderson. OREGON may surprise everyone if a 6-foot-7 sophomore named Glenn Moore continues his brilliant post play that led last year's frosh to an unbeaten season. There are three 6-foot-5 starters ready again at forward: Denny Strickland, Dale Herron and Stu Robertson. With Guard Chuck Rask this gives Coach Steve Belko four regulars who averaged more than 10 points apiece last winter. Three other tall sophomores, Wally Knecht, John Mack and Charley Warren, also will see much action. STANFORD'S high hopes seem to have ended up in the infirmary. Sophomore Rich Hosley, 6 feet 7, has been operated on for an injured cervical disc and is lost for the season. Another tall postman, John Windsor, is out for at least two months with mononucleosis. That leaves only Jerry Thuesen, a reserve last year. Coach Howie Dallmar probably will move Forward John Hendry, only 6 feet 2, into the post, and he must go with John Arrillaga and Clayton Bowling, two other reserves, at the guards. A flock of so-so sophomores should get plenty of experience fast. At WASHINGTON new Coach John Grayson inherits only one regular, Guard George Grant, and has lost four of the team's five top scorers. Fortunately, four outstanding sophomores move up: tall Bill Hanson, a 20-point man with the frosh last season, Forwards John Myers and Roger Niva and speedy Lyle Bakken. Leading reserves are Clint Names, Al Murphy, John Douglas and Don Daniels. Nine of the 12-man WASHINGTON STATE squad are sophomores, and Coach Marv Harshman is obliged to use four of them as starters. Veteran John Maras will likely be surrounded by Charlie Sells, Dwight Damon, Terry Ball and Doyle Wilson. This is a tall, if green, first five, and there is more height on the bench. At OREGON STATE Slats Gill's 32nd year of coaching should be a winning one. He has five newcomers 6 feet 6 or better: Jay Carty, Bob Nies, Bob Jacobson, Tim Campbell and Stan Stafford. Carty and Niles will be starters. Veteran pivotman Karl Anderson is much improved and Steve Flynn and Jim Woodland are experienced hands. Ron Critchfield probably will come off the bench to fill Lee Harman's spot as floor leader. IDAHO'S new Coach Dave Strack "hopes to be pleasantly surprised," but, sensibly, anticipates trouble. Only Jim Prestal returns from last year's starters, and he will be out for a month with a broken foot. None of the sophomores appears good enough to replace the veterans. Strack will choose his regulars from among Rollie Williams, Bob Walton, Joe King, Gary Floan, Karl Lorman and Charles Sauge.

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PHOTO

DUPLICATING SCENE at St. Mary's (page 71), Cal's Darrall Imhoff polishes hook shot that led team to NCAA title last season. Cal will have tough sledding this year.

ILLUSTRATION