Football season is (thankfully) coming to a close. Basketball is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more ready for another exciting year of Pac-10 hoops.

This year will see an influx of talented youth, as the conference welcomes a heralded class of incoming freshmen — including McDonald’s Americans like Washington’s Spencer Hawes, UCLA’s James Keefe and Arizona’s Chase Budinger — to go along with the returning sophomores who will rule the league — including Washington’s Jon Brockman, UCLA’s Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Arizona’s Marcus Williams.

In any case, the Cardinal will have its hands full with the individual talent that pervades the conference. Here are the Pac-10 players I’m keeping my eye on this season.

Malik Hairston, Oregon, Jr.

When Hairston first set foot on the University of Oregon’s campus as a freshman two years ago, he claimed that he wanted to “Carmelo-ize” the Ducks. Things haven’t gone exactly as planned for Hairston and coach Ernie Kent’s squad, who finished with a losing record last season. That said, the 6-foot-6 athletic wing was one of the lone bright spots on a team that under-performed all season long. Hairston is a smooth, athletic player with range that extends to the three-point line. His biggest task this season will not be leading the Ducks in scoring (the junior averaged over 15 points per game last season), but whether he can lead the Ducks previously underachieving squad to a successful season.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA, So.

Last season’s Pac-10 Freshman of the Year made a splash on one of the biggest stages in all of college hoops after his dominating performance against LSU in the National Semi-Final. Mbah a Moute, who is listed at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, has only been playing basketball for six years. Despite his relative inexperience, he plays with the kind of knowledge and knack for the game that only a special few possess. The Cameroon native, a prince in his home country, jumps the passing lanes with adept instinct and has an uncanny ability to rebound and finish around the rim. If this sophomore forward is able to get to the rim off the dribble and develop a solid jump-shot from 15 to 18 feet out, watch out.

Marcus Williams, Arizona, So.

Williams is a silky-smooth player with a game similar to Hairston’s. He has the ability to take other, less athletic wing players off the dribble and has range that extends beyond the arc. Many dispute whether he or Mbah a Moute should have won the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year title last season. Those who argued for this play-making Wildcat definitely have a case. Williams averaged over 13 points during his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, and I would expect to see him play a larger role in the offense this season. McDonald’s All-American Chase Budinger (read on!) will have plenty to say about that, though.

Jon Brockman, Washington, So.

Brockman was a solid force for the Huskies as a freshman, averaging eight points and six rebounds a game. He will move up to a permanent starting role with Washington’s loss of power forward Bobby Jones to the NBA. Brockman, who is built like an ox, is the kind of player who is ripe for a break-out season. Playing alongside highly-touted freshman center Spencer Hawes will only be beneficial for Brockman. He’s a beast around the rim and the antithesis of soft. Expect big numbers from this Husky.

Nick Young, USC, Jr.

Young doesn’t get as much attention as many of the other top players in the league, but don’t be fooled. The junior swingman is a talent, no matter how bad his hair is (he sported a fro-hawk for all last season). Young is 6-foot-8 and possesses the kind of athleticism that makes both fans and coaches drool. USC Coach Tim Floyd will rely on the wing to guide a Trojan team that could very well make the NCAA Tournament this season.

Chase Budinger, Arizona, Fr.

There is a reason why Budinger is the only freshman that I included on this list. The 6-foot-8 redhead may be the most heralded incoming freshman in the history of Arizona basketball. Even legendary coach Lute Olson has said that Budinger is the best freshman he has ever recruited. The forward is an all-around athlete and can shoot the lights out; he won co-MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American game this past March. The hype surrounding Budinger may be a little excessive for a college freshman, but all signs point to this kid being the real deal.

Note that none of the players I listed is a senior. The west coast is going to see a lot of fun basketball over the next few years.

As for who’s going to win the conference, I have no choice but to go with the media-favorite UCLA Bruins. Coach Ben Howland has built something special in Westwood.

Jack Salisbury is a freshman. Email him at jack24@stanford.edu.