Whether it’s the skilled Kevin Love, the sharpshooting Ryan Anderson or the bulldozing Jon Brockman, you’d be hard pressed to find a conference with a better slew of big men than the Pac-10. Of all the post players, however, ours may be the best.

Brook Lopez’s season started with a plethora of question marks, but since the second he stepped on the floor in December, he’s had all the answers for Stanford.

The doubts were well-founded; though showed great promise in his freshman season, many believed that the sophomore was not mature enough or hard-working enough to come through this season for the Cardinal. And while some may still question his work ethic — rightly so, even — there’s no doubting the impact Brook has had on the team this season.

It was 31 points and 13 rebounds at Washington, and then it was 19 and 16 against Arizona State at home. But there’s little point in listing Brook’s most outstanding performances this year — you can take your pick. Lopez has been at the center of the scoring, rebounding and defensive efforts in nearly every one of the Cardinal’s major victories.

More important, however, he’s the heart and soul of the team’s offense. Anthony Goods and Lawrence Hill are certainly capable of leading teams with their shooting, but shooting — as evidenced by the pair’s up-and-down numbers this year — comes and goes. And while the play of point guard Mitch Johnson has been superb, Lopez’s tremendous impact on this team is still clear.

Brook is averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds a game. While his numbers aren’t the loftiest compared to the conference’s big men — statistically, Lopez does not stand out among the likes of Cal’s Anderson, UCLA’s Love and Washington’s Brockman — Lopez has been more invaluable to his team than any of those players.

In a conference with a number of incredibly talented players, Lopez stands out not because of his particular abilities but because of his immense impact and value. Sure, Brook has a 7-foot, 260-pound frame coupled with the soft touch of a seasoned shooter. He’s talented just as much as the next top big man, if not more.

But the important thing about Lopez this season has been his contributions, not his talents. Discipline or not, problems in the classroom or not, Lopez has unquestionably carried the Cardinal this season.

And if you ask me, that’s why he’d be my Pac-10 Player of the Year as of today.

Around College Basketball

This Saturday’s Tennessee-Memphis game is a match-up straight out of a hoop fan’s dream, for so many reasons.

First off, the teams are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation.

On top of that, the game has rivalry implications, with both schools hailing from the state of Tennessee.

Oh, and if that didn’t make the game important enough, the Tigers come into Saturday’s tussle as the nation’s only undefeated team. Memphis is 25-0, and many have speculated that they have a legitimate shot at finishing the regular season — and maybe the whole season — undefeated. Of course, the Volunteers surely have something to say about that.

Even further, from a basketball fan’s perspective, there probably isn’t a more exciting match-up when it comes to fast-paced action and high scoring. Both teams get up and down the court, playing a 94-foot game as opposed to a half-court one. It wouldn’t at all be surprising to see the teams put 200 points together on the scoreboard.

Memphis is far and away the most talented team in the country, but Tennessee may be the most dangerous. Chris Lofton is a shooter without a conscience, and if he and the rest of the Volunteer squad gets hot, Tennessee just might unseat the Tigers from its No. 1 ranking.

One thing’s for sure, however: this is the one game of the 2007-08 college basketball season you shouldn’t miss.