SETH DAVIS'S Three-Pointer

Washington State's Klay Thompson(below) is the best player in the Pac-10. The 6'6" sophomore guard, whose father, Mychal, was the top pick in the 1978 NBA draft, is flourishing in new coach Ken Bone's up-tempo system. Through Sunday he led the nation in scoring with 28.3 points a game.... Portland will challenge Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference title. The Pilots, who have all five starters back from the team that finished third in the WCC last season, beat UCLA and Minnesota in the 76 Classic last weekend in Anaheim and are ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 1959, at No. 25.... Oklahoma is in trouble. The Sooners began the season ranked 17th, but losses to VCU, San Diego and Houston showed that freshman starters Tiny Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin have a lot to learn.

PHOTO

CARL AUER/ICON SMI (THOMPSON)