by By Jeff Faraudo Oakland Tribune , Contra Costa Times

It was the first time since the 1993-94 season the Bears were voted by the Pac-10 media to win the conference, and their highest pre-season AP ranking since entering that season at No. 6.

Stanford, which returns two starters, was picked last.

The '93-94 Bears, led by All-America guard Jason Kidd, wound up tied for second in the Pac-10 and were ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Cal, which opens its season Nov. 9 against Murray State, has not appeared in the AP pre-season Top-25 since 1995-96, when it checked in at No. 25.

The Bears also were voted No. 12 in the pre-season ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

Cal returns four starters from a 22-11 team that reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

Kansas, whom Cal visits on Dec. 22, was voted No. 1 in both the AP and coaches polls, with Michigan State and Texas second and third. Washington is one spot behind Cal in both rankings, at No. 14 in the AP poll, No. 13 according to the coaches.

Cal collected 25 of 37 first-place ballots in the Pac-10 poll to outscore Washington 350 points to 330. The Huskies received seven first-place votes.

UCLA, not ranked in either national poll after reaching the Final Four in 2006, 2007 and 2008, finished third in the Pac-10 media poll, with Arizona and Oregon State rounding out the top five.

Meanwhile, Cal senior guards Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher were among four Pac-10 players included on the Naismith Trophy pre-season watch list. Also included on the 45-man list for the national player of the year award are Washington's Isaiah Thomas and Arizona's Nic Wise.

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