Bring on conference play

Charlie Creme (ESPN) writes:

The college basketball season is really divided into thirds. The nonconference season played largely during the pre-holiday, first-semester period. Then it's conference play that eats up the bulk of the winter and really establishes a season's direction and personality. It also sets up the really fun part – the postseason – which makes up the final third.

So – one down, two to go – Read more...

Creme has also published his first bracket of 2011. He has five Pac-10 teams in the mix, with these evaluations:

Stanford

#2 in Spokane (where Tennessee is #1)
If Jeanette Pohlen continues to play at this level, the Cardinal will remain a huge favorite to reach Indianapolis.

UCLA

#3 in Dallas (where Baylor is #1)
The players and coaches won't admit to looking ahead, but we will. The Bruins' first meeting with Stanford is Jan 20.

USC

#9 in Dallas
There aren't many nights off on the Trojans' schedule, and they have still managed 10 wins and a solid start in the Pac-10.

Arizona State

#7 in Philadelphia (where Connecticut is #1)
Just five days after DePaul shocked and dominated Stanford, the Sun Devils knocked off the Blue Demons for their biggest win of the season. Now ASU gets a crack at the Cardinal this weekend.

Arizona

#11 in Dayton (where Duke is #1)
The Wildcats are 11-2 for the first time since 2003-04 and 2-0 in the Pac-10 for the first time since 2004-05, the last season they made the NCAA tournament.