College basketball practice begins across the country today, and that prompts questions. Here are 10 that come to mind:

Q. Can Cal win its first Pac-10 championship since 1960?

A. "I don't see any reason why we're not capable of that. We have the tools, and we have the chemistry," junior forward Harper Kamp said. Seniors Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher and Theo Robertson need big seasons, and the post players must pull their weight. If that happens, the Bears can bring home their first title since coach Pete Newell's final season.

Q. Speaking of Kamp, how is his twice surgically repaired right knee?

A. "My knee is not 100 percent healthy — it's not a great knee," Kamp said. "The key is to figure out what I'm able to do with that. I'm still going to be able to produce on it."

Q. Stanford, which is picked near the bottom of the Pac-10 after losing three key starters, has won at least 20 games in 12 of the past 15 seasons. What are the chances that happens again?

A. Well, the Cardinal got there last year (20-14) despite finishing ninth in the Pac-10. Figures to be tougher this time despite a favorable nonconference schedule. A 14-16 or 15-15 regular-season mark seems more likely.

Q. Who besides Cal is a chief

A. Without a doubt, it's Washington, the defending regular-season champion. Power forward Jon Brockman is gone, but the Huskies have a backcourt trio in Isaiah Thomas, Abdul Gaddy and Venoy Overton that can hang with anyone. And they're confident. "We're the defending Pac-10 champs, so it definitely goes through us first," Thomas told the Seattle Times. "Cal has everyone back, they're a great team, and they beat us both times last year. They're hungry. But we've got some new guys who are going to make a difference this year."

Q. After averaging nearly 22 wins over the past six seasons, will Saint Mary's College fall out of the West Coast Conference picture after the exits of Patty Mills and Diamon Simpson?

A. Portland, coached by former Stanford player Eric Reveno, is the trendy choice to finish behind perennial champion Gonzaga in the WCC. But Gaels coach Randy Bennett likes his team and said the key will be how quickly several of seven freshmen or redshirt freshmen emerge. Keep an eye on Aussie freshman guard Matt Dellavedova.

Q. Does Santa Clara have anyone to replace departed center John Bryant, the San Pablo native who averaged 18.1 points per game and grabbed 467 rebounds last season, most by a Bay Area player in 39 years?

A. No. But, Vancouver, British Columbia, native Marc Trasolini is worth keeping an eye on. The 6-foot-9, 235-pound sophomore forward averaged 13.0 points and 6.2 rebounds over the Broncos' final five games last season, and finished the season with 37 blocked shots. That tied Bryant's freshman school record.

Q. San Jose State hasn't enjoyed a winning season since going 15-12 in 1993-94. Are the Spartans ready to finally get over the hump this season?

A. Coach George Nessman has coaxed 13 victories out of his club each of the past two seasons, the program's best two-year stretch since 2000 and '01. This team, featuring junior guard Adrian Oliver, is picked fifth in the Western Athletic Conference by Lindy's magazine. The talent seemingly is there.

Q. Which homegrown players could make the biggest impacts on teams outside the Bay Area?

A. Watch out for UC Santa Barbara freshman guard Chris Brew, who averaged 26.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.3 steals, and 8.6 assists per game as a senior last season at St. Mary's High. Sophomore Drew Gordon from Archbishop Mitty-San Jose is pencilled in as the starting center at UCLA.

Q. Who will be the nation's best player?

A. The safe pick is Cole Aldrich, star center of likely preseason No. 1 Kansas. Watch out for Kentucky point guard John Wall — a freshman. You'll recall the nation's top player in 2007 was Kevin Durant and a year later it was Michael Beasley — both freshmen. Wall already is projected as the top pick in next year's NBA draft.

Q. Will Kansas win the national championship?

A. The Jayhawks are the consensus choice. But the NCAA Tournament is so unpredictable even the favorite can struggle to get through a six-game gantlet. Villanova, Michigan State, Texas, North Carolina and Kentucky are other contenders.