Halfway through conference play and the best teams are really a lot better than the rest.

1. Stanford (18-2, 9-0). Kayla Pedersen is rounding into form and that’s just more bad news for Cardinal opponents, who aren’t even getting close these days.

2. UCLA (18-2, 8-1). The Bruins are staying within sight of Stanford after pulling down 48 rebounds (25 on the offensive end) against Arizona on Saturday and play at USC at the Galen Center on Sunday.

3. Gonzaga (19-4, 7-0). The Bulldogs finish the WCC with a perfect 7-0 mark and have firmly established themselves again as the team to beat after a dominating win over second-place St. Mary’s in Moraga.

4. Cal (13-7, 5-4). The Bears went to Oregon and didn’t stumble, finishing the sweep. Sophomore Talia Caldwell had a double-double against Oregon Saturday with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The only concern: no bench points against the Ducks for Cal.

5. USC (13-7, 5-4). The Women of Troy lost their first home game of the year Saturday against ASU and have lost three of four overall. Is Sunday’s home game against UCLA the chance to gain back some momentum?

6. Fresno State (15-6, 6-1). Jaleesa Ross became the school’s all-time leading scorer on Thursday night and the Bulldogs have won four in a row and seven of the last eight. Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech might well decide the WAC regular-season title.

7.  Arizona State (13-6, 5-4). Why do the Sun Devils rank below Cal and USC with nearly identical records? Because of strength of schedule and their inconsistency of performances. The Sun Devils salvaged a split out of the LA weekend with a 62-61 win over USC, shooting better than 38 percent for the first time in four games. Another big weekend coming up against the Bay Area schools and a question about whether senior point guard Dymond Simon will be able to play after she possibly sustained a concussion in the USC game.

8.  St. Mary’s (13-9, 5-2). The Gaels were just plain disappointing at home Thursday against Gonzaga. Beating Portland at home on Saturday proved to be small consolation. Jasmine Smith had 26 points against Portland, her ninth 20-point performance of the season.

9.  Arizona (13-7, 4-5). The Wildcats are just one game out of the glut in the middle of the Pac-10, and have a chance to move more firmly into the mix this weekend at home against Stanford and Cal.

10. Cal Poly (12-7, 8-0). The Mustangs maintained their unbeaten record in the Big West.

St. Mary's Athletics photo

The Gaels have won seven of eight games, are a strong second in the West Coast Conference standings and face a defining weekend with Thursday night’s 6 p.m. game against Gonzaga and a Saturday game against Portland.

Q: How are things going at this point in the season?

A: We’ve got a couple of games coming up. This is an excellent opportunity for our team.

Q: Are these games against Gonzaga and Portland measuring stick games for your team?

A: We are going to find out where we are in late-January. We got to San Diego (last weekend) and we held them to 22 percent shooting and we did a little above average job of rebounding. But Gonzaga is a bit of a different team than San Diego.

Q: You’ve won seven of eight. Are you a much better team than you were just a few weeks ago?

A: Yes and no. I think we are better at some things.

Q: What kinds of things?

A: I thought we were doing a very good job with our team defense going into league play. And then we open up and do a terrible job against Loyola (Marymount) and we got beat. And then we won our next four, and we were doing a better job with team defense.

Q: What still concerns you?

A: I’m not 100 percent comfortable with where we are at with rebounding. We are way too inconsistent. I’m pretty pleased with where we are offensively and our ability to get good shots. We play four minutes a a time. Like any team, if we do not turn the ball over, and we can rebound, we’ve got a chance against anybody on our schedule. We’ve played a great schedule, but if we are getting our butts kicked on the boards or we are giving the ball away, we are giving people opportunities. When we can control that, we’re pretty darned good.

Q: What about that schedule?

A: Our team knows exactly where they stand. We talked about the schedule last year, I let them in on what I was going to do. It’s funny because we are two games off the pace of where we were last year. Last year, we played five BCS schools, if you want to call them that. This year we played seven and we are two games off the pace. We should have, not could have, but should have beaten Nebraska. We had them beat. And we had opportunities against UCLA. It didn’t end up a close game, but it was a two-possession game with six minutes to go.

Q: How is the health of your team?

A: Having Ashlee Smith out (with a season-ending ankle injury) is a killer for us. She just did so many things. Her and Lou(ella) Tomlinson had a tremendous amount of chemistry. She had an ability to run the floor and make teams run the floor with her and she would offensive rebound.

Q: How has the team adjusted?

A: It has hurt us, but Danielle and Courtney and Suzy Davis give us some different looks. Regardless, we think we’ve got some very good depth.

Q: What is the key to the game against Gonzaga?

A: It’s very simple. We cannot let them score in transition. We can’t give them a bunch of baskets in transition. We cannot allow them to get second and third opportunities with offensive rebounds. We have to contain them. If we can hold them to single-digit offensive rebounds we’ll have a chance.

Q: You don’t have to convey to your players the stakes in this game, I assume?

A: No. But if Courtney Vandersloot is in open space, we are up a creek without a paddle. If she’s in open space we are losing. If we don’t get block outs and we don’t keep them from running, we’re in trouble.

As was so well-put by Arizona Republic beat writer Jeff Metcalfe a few days ago (in a story previously linked), the Sun Devils’ need a rally now to put themselves in position for the NCAA Tournament.

ASU's Dymond Simon - ASU Athletics

This weekend’s series in LA could decide the direction of ASU’s season.

Getting swept by UCLA and USC could put ASU in position to have to win out in the Pac-10 in order to get keep NCAA hopes alive.

The Sun Devils will play five of their next seven games on the road and the home games come against Stanford and Cal. That’s a tough stretch, but the reality is that ASU is in danger of missing the NCAA field in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2002-2004.

Arizona State opened the season without many challenges on the schedule. A loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, frankly, was what was supposed to happen.

The upset win over DePaul near the holidays indicated a team heading in the right direction.

The now-cancelled game against Marist might have helped Charli Turner Thorne’s team build more confidence. But it didn’t happen.

So ASU’s performance in the Pac-10 season looks from this view like a step backward. Losing both games in the Bay Area might have been predictable, but losing by 45 points at Stanford and falling short against an inconsistent Cal team didn’t help.

Then there was last week’s home loss to Washington State. The Cougars are playing better basketball and have found some recent momentum, but this is still a team with a 5-15 record and the Sun Devils were wounded by that defeat.

They hung tough to pull out a Saturday victory against Washington, another team with a losing record.

But Arizona State isn’t scoring well. They are ranked eighth in the Pac-10 in scoring offense at 63.3 points a game. They rank ninth in field-goal percentage (.384), 10th in 3-point percentage (.254) and have shot the fewest number of threes in the league at 66.

Senior point guard Dymond Simon is the team’s leading scorer at 13.8 points per game. She’s the only player averaging double-digits.

The Sun Devils bank on defense, but now, because they have trouble scoring, they are indeed on the defensive. Their season depends on their ability to play better than they have to this point – on both ends of the floor.

It’s been a good week for Stanford’s Kayla Pedersen. She’s been nominated for the Lowe’s CLASS Award, given to the nation’s top senior and she was named Pac-10 Player of the Week after a very good weekend against the Los Angeles schools.

Courtesy Stanford Athletics

Read about it…

http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/012611aac.html

http://www.pac-10.org/News/tabid/863/Article/219526/stanfords-pedersen-named-pac-10-womens-basketball-player-of-the-week.aspx

1. Stanford (16-2, 7-0). Michael Cooper paid the Cardinal a huge compliment Saturday when he said he thought his team just got beat by the future national champion. At this point, the way Stanford is playing, it’s hard to argue. Will back-to-back road trips to the Oregons and the Arizonas be a challenge? Not looking like it.

2. UCLA (16-2, 6-1). The Bruins took it on the chin against Stanford, but came back and beat Cal in Berkeley. The Stanford game is going to push Nikki Caldwell to make her team better.

UCLA's Jasmine Dixon guarded by Stanford's Kayla Pedersen and Chiney Ogwumike - Deb Gumbley photo

3. Gonzaga (17-4, 5-0). The Bulldogs have won 15 out of 16 games. Thursday’s road game against St. Mary’s will present one of the bigger challenges of the WCC season.

4. Cal (11-7, 3-4). The Bears continue to show signs of life with a good split against the LA schools, beating USC and playing close against UCLA. Now all they need to show is some consistency.

5. USC (4-3, 12-6). The Women of Troy get swept in the Bay Area, losing consecutive games for the first time all season. This is still a team with a good shot at the NCAA Tournament, but if 20 wins is the target, there’s work to be done.

6. Arizona State (12-5, 4-3). The home loss to Washington State on Thursday could be costly for ASU. But if the Sun Devils can figure things out offensively, a strong finish is plausible.

7. Fresno State (12-6, 3-1). The Bulldogs have won four of five games heading into Monday night’s home game against Hawaii.

8. Arizona (4-3, 13-5). The Wildcats are, for the most part, winning games they should win and that will keep them in the top half of the Pac-10 standings.

9. St. Mary’s (12-8 4-1). The Gaels have won four in a row – a season-high – and seven of eight in the lead-up to Thursday’s home game against Gonzaga.

10. Cal Poly (11-7, 7-0). The Mustangs are the team with the 7-0 record so far in the Big West.

Longtime colleague in Pac-10 women’s hoops Jeff Metcalfe writes a frank analysis about the Arizona State team and what it will take for the Sun Devils to get to the NCAA Tournament. At the least, its going to take a higher, more consistent level of play than ASU is currently producing.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/jeffmetcalfe/115257

David Cortesi photo via Twitter

Sent to me via Twitter by David Cortesi. I’m done now. Obsession over.

Enjoy the Fanhouse stories while they last…the gig ends March 1.

http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/21/no-pressure-here-stanford-stifles-ucla/

After absorbing the grunts and groans of my male colleagues in the press room last night, I feel compelled to put my head even further into the proverbial lion’s mouth.

Considering that last night’s Stanford-UCLA game was not close, I think it’s appropriate for a diversion.

Nikki Caldwell's shoes - Deb Gumbley photo

The Cardinal debuted new uniforms against the Bruins. White uniforms with black piping, a mesh-like trim on the legs and a new design around the uniform number on the box, a kind of shadow-effect featuring Stanford landmarks. Associate head coach Amy Tucker was credited with the design.

I asked Chiney Ogwumike what she thought. “They’re nice. Light.”

And then, the true fashion discussion of the night – Nikki Caldwell’s shoes.

It’s already known that Caldwell, the UCLA coach, works with a stylist to help her choose clothing to wear on game day and that she’s a girl that likes her high heels.

But last night’s shoes, a grey/taupe suede stiletto with a platform were, well to quote Chiney again, “Fab-u-lous.”

Totally agree. Could never wear them, but totally agree. They were so good, it was almost distracting.

Best shoes I’ve seen on the sideline since Sherri Coale’s red stiletto heels with the ankle strap in the 2007 Sweet 16 Game in San Antonio.

It’s sad what the mind remembers, isn’t it?

Take that grumbly sportswriters!

Refresh and repeat! No TV tonight!

Pregame notes: Stanford senior guard Mel Murphy in uniform and warming up with her teammates. Don’t expect to see many minutes out of Murphy.

Starting lineups

Stanford

15 Lindy LaRocque G

14 Kayla Pedersen F

13 Chiney Ogwumike F

30 Nneka Ogwumike F

23 Jeanette Pohlen G

UCLA

3 Darxia Morris G

11 Atonye Nyingifa F

21 Doreena Campbell G

23 Markel Walker F

33 Jasmine Dixon F

First half:

• Shot clock problem is delaying tip-off temporarily.
• Maples maybe 2/3 full tonight.
• New uniforms for the Cardinal tonight. How to describe. White with black piping. Shadow effect on back with quad, Stanford S and Tower. Designed by associated head coach Amy Tucker.
• Nikki Caldwell’s shoes, by the way, are fierce.
• Chiney Ogwumike picks up first foul at 18:11.
• Stanford getting big-time pressure from UCLA, but with clock running down Pohlen drives and dishes to Pedersen. Cardinal up 6-0. UCLA is 0-for-5.
• Stanford playing D as well.
• Jasmine Dixon foul 15:32. Pohlen to the line.
• Media timeout: Stanford 6, UCLA 0.
• Stat of note: 5 of six rebounds for Stanford on the defensive end.
• UCLA now 1 of 9 from floor.
• Only three field-goals for the Cardinal so far in almost eight minutes.
• Tara VanDerveer to Jeanette Pohlen “Calm down.”
• Kayla Pedersen hits her first 3 attempt. A good sign for Stanford, up 13-4.
• Timeout: Stanford 15, UCLA 4.
• Stat of note: Bruins 2 of 12 from the floor.
• Stanford on 7-0 run.
• Cardinal with 10 defensive rebounds already.
• Nneka getting knocked around inside. Scores on a good pass from Kokenis. Kokenis speed helping Cardinal. Her offensive game needs refining.
• Sarah Boothe scores on hook. Cardinal up 20-9 after Dixon counters.
• Cardinal doing well with press break. UCLA force to get back.
• Turnovers starting to pile up. Cardinal up to six. UCLA at 5.
• Full court press on now for UCLA.
• Cardinal up 22-11 with 6:42 to go. Nneka scores on o-board.
• Dixon has scored seven of last nine for UCLA.
• Mel Murphy about to check in, but it’s media timeout time.
• Stanford up 22-13 with 6:03 to go.
• Stat of note: Jeanette Pohlen 0-for-3 from field but 4-for-4 from the line.
• Mel gets her first touches. Crowd cheers.
• Atonye Nyingifa picks up second foul with 3:53.
• Special shout-out to Deb Gumbley. She knows why.
• Stanford length and size making it difficult for UCLA to find good shots in the offense. Best offense coming from defense so far.
• Doreena Campbell and Darxia Morris a combined 1 for 6 from the floor.
• Cardinal up 28-15 with 1:34 to go.
• UCLA now 7 of 25 from the floor.
• Mel Murphy steal and layup with 59 seconds to go. Crowd goes wild.

Halftime score: Stanford 32. UCLA 15.

Stats of note:

• Stanford shooting 12 of 26 from the floor.
• 1 of 3 from 3-point range
• Cardinal out-rebounding UCLA 22-2 and holding Bruins to three offensive rebounds.
• Points off turnovers: Stanford 11, UCLA 4.
• Second-chance points, Stanford 6, UCLA 0.
• In the paint: Stanford 16, UCLA 6.

Second half

• Special guests tonight – former Chronicle colleagues and dear friends Glenn Schwarz, Mark Smoyer and former beat writer Dwight Chapin.
• Chiney Ogwumike picks up quick foul. No. 2 at 19:30.
• And now a whistle for Jasmine Dixon – her second at 19:06. She and Nneka hit the floor.
• More issues with the shot clock.
• Taking a break.
• Pedersen on folo hits first shot of half.
• Cardinal score in transition. UCLA in 36-15 hole. Can’t rebound with Stanford and not forcing as many turnovers as they would like.
• Third foul on Chiney at 17:24. She’s coming out for a while. Chiney getting praise from Tara. “Nice charge.”Well…
• Pohlen’s first field-goal. UCLA hasn’t scored in the half yet. Nearly four minutes gone.
• Media timeout: Stanford 39, UCLA 16. 15:18 to go. Bruins’ season low is 53 points coming in.
• Stat of note: UCLA 0 for 5 from 3-point range. Now 7 of 29 from the floor.
• Cardinal on 19-2 run bridging two halves.
• Stanford on 14-2 run to open the half. No field-goals for UCLA in the half so far. 13 minutes to go.
• Dixon hits jumper for first field-goal of the half for Bruins at 12:44.
• Media timeout: Stanford 50, UCLA 21 with 11:29 to go.
• Stat of note: Bruins shooting 27.3 percent. Stanford holding steady at nine turnovers.
• UCLA came in forcing more than 25 turnovers a game.
• Cardinal in the bonus, Pohlen 1 and 1.
• Two second-half field-goals for the Bruins.
• Stanford up 55-21 with 9:31 to go.
• Fans not so happy with officiating in physical game.
• Intentional foul called against Sarah Boothe. Walker to shoot.
• Campbell hits UCLA’s first 3-pointer of the game.
• 56-25 Stanford.
• Media timeout: Stanford 56, UCLA 27. 7:20 to go. Let the subbing begin.
• UCLA “cuts” it to 56-31. Cardinal looking a little sloppy. Most of the starters still in the game on both sides.
• Final score Stanford 64, UCLA 38.