BASEBALL: PREVIEW CAPSULES UCLA.

Conference: Pacific-10

Coach: Gary Adams, 27th season (866-700-7)

2000: 38-26 (17-7, tied for first in Pac-10)

Why they'll win: Junior right-hander Josh Karp, a preseason All-American who went 10-2 last season, leads a capable pitching staff supported by a solid defense. Matt Pearl and Nick Lyon both batted better than .340 last season and will be counted on to lead this year's offense along with Eric Reece, who missed much of last season with a wrist injury.

Why they won't win: The Bruins lack a true power hitter. They led the conference with 117 home runs last season, but only 30 were by players who are coming back. The catching situation also is a question after last season's primary catchers turned pro. A leader has yet to emerge among the position's top three candidates and sophomore Shane Miranda suffered a setback with a hamstring injury in early January.

Outlook: Because there are so many newcomers, Adams is not sure of the true

potential of his young team, but he is impressed with their scrappiness. If the Bruins can manufacture runs and get the type of quality pitching they are hoping for from the lower portion of its staff, they should be tough to beat. Of course, they are stuck in the same conference as some of the nation's top-ranked teams. The Pac-10's coaches picked UCLA to finish sixth.

USC 

Conference: Pacific-10

Coach: Mike Gillespie, 15th season (563-313-2)

2000: 44-20 (16-8, fourth in Pac-10)

Why they'll win: The Trojans have a deep pitching staff. Preseason All- Americans Rik Currier (15-3, 3.31 ERA) and Mark Prior (10-7, 3.57 ERA), along with sophomore Anthony Reyes (6-6, 4.02), are all returning starters. There is also the hard-hitting lineup led by sophomore second baseman Anthony Lunetta and senior first baseman Josh Persell.

Why they won't win: Veterans such as Currier and highly touted shortstop Seth Davidson were inconsistent last season. If the same happens again, the team everyone is aiming to beat could have trouble playing to its potential. Another of USC's few concerns is how well sophomore Alberto Conception adapts to the starting-catcher role.

Outlook: The Pac-10 is the Trojans' to lose, but USC has its sights set far beyond a conference title. With several players back from 2000's overachieving group that reached the College World Series, expect the No. 2 Trojans to challenge No. 1 Georgia Tech for the top spot.

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

Conference: Big West

Coach: Mike Batesole, sixth season (181-104-1)

2000: 23-33

Why they'll win: An influx of talented players such as transfers Craig Mosher, Robert Smith, Eric Verbryke and Eric Ballew, combined with maturation of returnees, give the Matadors more experience and more power hitting than recent years. There also is junior shortstop J.T. Stotts, who can help CSUN in a variety of ways, from his consistent hitting and speed on the bases to his slick fielding. The schedule also gives CSUN frequent home-field advantage and fewer long-distance trips than last season.

Why they won't win: Work on CSUN's field prevented the Matadors from having fall workouts, meaning the team with several newcomers hasn't had much time to work together. Pitching is also an uncertainty.

Outlook: A competitive team with a winning record is expected, but the Matadors have to overcome traditional powers Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State to contend for a conference title in their first year in the Big West.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

Conference: West Coast Conference

Coach: Frank Cruz, fifth season (128-109-1)

2000: 40-19 (22-8, WCC champion)

Why they'll win: Returning All-WCC selections Kris Zacato, Tommy Perez and Jeff Walker give the Lions a productive heart of the order as well as veteran leadership on a young team. Zacato, a preseason All-American catcher, also can help LMU get the most out of its pitchers.

Why they won't win: Last year's power hitters and starting pitchers are gone. LMU is left without a proven ace. The Lions have several talented players, but many lack Division I experience.

Outlook: The Lions need several players to take on bigger roles than those to which they are accustomed. They might start slow, but if newcomers such as transfers Matt Guber and C.J. Wilson and freshman Vincent Cordova provide enough quality pitching, expect the Lions to be among the best by the end of the season. After winning conference titles and reaching the NCAA Regionals each of the past three years, LMU has been picked to finish second in the WCC this season.

PEPPERDINE

Conference: West Coast Conference

Coach: Frank Sanchez, fifth season (148-86)

2000: 36-23 (22-8, first in WCC West Division)

Why they'll win: The Waves have five returning returning starters and a solid pitching staff led by All-WCC selections Dan Haren and Jay Adams. Haren had a team-high eight wins and a conference-best 3.08 ERA last season. Senior right-hander Eric Valenzuela and junior left-hander Noah Lowry also are capable of making significant contributions as starters. Having senior first baseman Jared Pitney back after missing 37 games last season with a broken hand gives Pepperdine another productive hitter in a lineup led by junior Woody Cliffords.

Why they won't win: Pepperdine suffered key losses up the middle. Replacing All-American catcher Dane Sardinha will be the most difficult task.

Outlook: This is what the Waves were building for last season and they shouldn't have any trouble getting their 24th consecutive 30-win season. All but one of the conference's coaches picked Pepperdine to win the WCC title.