The Pac-10 is the toughest conference in the country (always debatable, but no one can convince me otherwise). At the start of the season, NCAA experts said eight teams were capable of making the tournament (not that all would, but "could").

WSU opens conference play on Saturday against Washington. It's a rivalry bout in Seattle (never an easy win). The Huskies have won five straight games (it could have been six, but Justin Dentmon's buzzer-beater against #13 Pittsburgh was waved off). They've beat their opponents by an average of 15 points per game over that stretch (they haven't played the best either...Idaho State, Portland State, Cal State-Northridge, etc.).

My biggest concern is the match up between Jon Brockman and Aron Baynes (should be a great battle on the post). There's the potential that Brockman gets Baynes into foul trouble (Baynes must keep his composure). If that happens...it could be bad for the Cougs (there is no one else who can match the size and intensity of Brockman who averages 18 points and 11 rebounds per contest).

Washington State fans better be ready for some losses. I don't think they'll lose on Saturday to UW, but anyone who thinks the Cougars will be perfect in the Pac-10 is kidding themselves. If the Cougs can split on every road trip this year WSU fans should be satisfied (It's possible WSU could be undefeated at home, but that's wishful thinking).

Here's my thought: If the Cougars get out of conference play with five losses...we should be VERY happy.

Again, the Cougars will lose some games, but that's OK (we were spoiled in non-conference play). This is the time of the year we should be excited for (at least I am).

How good is Washington State? We're about to find out...

Harmeling Update: Daven Harmeling, who broke his thumb on December 21st, is cleared to participate in practice. He's wearing a heavily padded soft cast. He'll have an x-ray on his thumb again on Monday. He's still listed as "out indefinitely."