12:44 PM Thu, Jun 26, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Dan Weber
It's just short of the Pac-10's all-time total of 14 NCAA titles in one season but the 13 championships racked up by Pac-10 shools this season equals the combined number from the next three conferences -- the Big Ten (5) and the four each for the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences.
UCLA tited Arizona State with three titles while USC added two.
Here's the complete Pac-10 release:
FOR USE ANYTIME: Thursday, June 26, 200
PAC-10 LEADS THE WAY WITH 13 NCAA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--The Pac-10 lived up to its well deserved billing of "Conference of Champions" by capturing 13 NCAA titles during the 2007-08 academic year, second-highest total ever for a conference and just one title shy of the all-time record of 14 set by the Pac-10 during the 1996-97 academic year. The Pac-10 total of 13 NCAA titles far outstripped any other conference. The Big Ten was runnerup with five NCAA crowns, followed by the ACC and SEC with four each. It marks the eighth time in the last nine years that the Pac-10 has topped all conferences in NCAA championships won. In addition to the 13 championships, Pac-10 teams posted runnerup finishes 11 times.
The women led the way for the Pac-10 with eight NCAA titles, easily the most of any conference, with the men contributing five crowns also the top figure among conferences. The depth of the Conference was shown by the fact seven different league schools claimed NCAA titles. Only six institutions claimed multiple NCAA titles this year, with four of them Pac-10 schools. Arizona State and UCLA were the only institutions to win three NCAA titles, with Arizona, USC, Penn State and Georgia each claiming two.
Arizona State won titles in softball and both men's and women's indoor track and field, while UCLA claimed titles in men's golf, women's tennis and women's water polo. Arizona captured crowns in both men's and women's swimming, with USC winning women's soccer and women's golf. Single NCAA crowns were won by Oregon in men's cross country, Stanford in women's cross country and California in men's water polo. Not included in these totals are the national championships won by Washington in men's rowing, California in men's rugby and Stanford in women's rugby and synchronized swimming, championships not sponsored by the NCAA.
In addition, Stanford has clinched its 14th consecutive United State Sports Academy Directors' Cup, with the final 2007-08 rankings also showing UCLA (2), Arizona State (4), California (7), USC (13), Washington (22), Oregon (26) and Arizona (27) all ranked in the top 30.
Following are the 2007-08 NCAA championships won by FBS conference members:
Conference Men/Combined Women Total
Pacific-10 5 8 13
Big Ten 3 2 5
Atlantic Coast 3 1 4
Southeastern 1 3 4
Big 12 2 0 2
Big East 1 0 1
Western Athletic 1 0 1
8:00 AM Thu, Jun 19, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen wrote a nice piece on how NBA teams are struggling to differentiate between the elite combo guards available at the top of next week's NBA draft, so I thought I'd give you guys a chance to offer your opinion.
I'm no scout, but to me it's a matter of your priorities if you're an NBA team. If you're looking for defense and transition offense and have a little time to wait for your draft pick to develop, you take Westbrook. If you're looking for a score-first point guard, you take Bayless. If you're looking for the most well-rounded player who can contribute immediately, the choice is Mayo. If you're looking ... well ... I'm not sure why anyone would take Gordon out of that group.
1:50 PM Wed, Jun 04, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Dan Weber
If you think it's been mostly an All-Pac-10 act this season when it comes to NCAA titles, you're right.
As the league has just annouced, the Pac-10 has moved into "record territory'' this year with 13 NCAA titles already and another three yet to be determined. That's one short of the all-time mark of 14 set by the Pac-10 in 1996-1997 and gives the league 41 percent of this year's 32 titles.
No other league has more than five.
Here's the complete release:
PAC-10 ENTERING HISTORIC TERRITORY WITH 13 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Record for a Conference in a Single Year is 14
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--Pacific-10 Conference institutions have won a remarkable 13 NCAA team championships during the 2007-08 academic year. That total is the second-highest ever for a conference and just one title shy of the all-time record of 14, which the Pac-10 achieved in 1996-97. With three NCAA Championships still to be decided (baseball and men's and women's track & field), the Pac-10 has the opportunity to equal or surpass that mark.
To put the numbers in some sort of perspective, Pac-10 institutions have won 41% (13 of 32) of the NCAA titles decided so far this year. The next highest total for a conference is the five titles claimed by the Big Ten Conference. In fact, the Pac-10's total of 13 NCAA titles is just one shy of the 14 won by the other 10 FBS conferences combined to date. The Pac-10 is the only conference ever to win 10 or more NCAA championships in one year, with 2007-08 being the fifth time the league has accomplished that feat.
Also reflecting the all-around excellence of the conference is the fact that seven of the 10 members have contributed to the NCAA title accumulation this year. Arizona State and UCLA are the only institutions in the nation with three NCAA crowns this season, with Arizona and USC (along with Penn State and Georgia), the only other two-time winners.
The Pac-10 leads all conferences in both men's and women's team titles this year, with the dominance on the women's side particularly noteworthy. Pac-10 men's teams have won five titles, with the Big Ten next with three. Pac-10 women's teams have landed eight NCAA crowns with no other conference claiming more than two. Following are the NCAA team championships won thus far in 2007-08 by the "Conference of Champions":
1:02 AM Mon, Jun 02, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (2)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Thanks for all your interest in the Pac-10 Team of the Decade Tournament. Here are the first-round results and the second-round matchups so you can start casting your votes:
6. UCLA (2006-07) 649 90%
11. Washington (2005-06) 69 10%
7. Stanford (2000-01) 134 78%
10. Washington (2004-05) 38 22%
2. Stanford (2003-04) 133 51%
15. Washington State (2006-07) 128 49%
Second Round
16. USC (2006-07)
Record: 25-12, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina
Coach: Tim Floyd
Starting lineup: F. Dwight Lewis (Fr.), F. Taj Gibson (Fr.), G. Lodrick Stewart (Sr.), G. Gabe Pruitt (Jr.), G. Nick Young (Jr.)
Key reserves: Keith Wilkinson, Abdoulaye N'Diaye
Comment: The guard-heavy Trojans gelled late in the season and gave North Carolina a big Sweet 16 scare.
vs.
9. Arizona (2000-01)
Record: 28-8, 15-3 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the NCAA title game
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Richard Jefferson (Jr.), F. Michael Wright (Jr.), C. Loren Woods (Sr.), G. Gilbert Arenas (So.), G. Jason Gardner (So.)
Key reserves: Luke Walton (So.), Eugene Edgerson (Sr.)
Comment: Has there been a more talented starting five this decade than the one the Wildcats fielded in 2001?
5. Arizona (2004-05)
Record: 30-7, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Illinois in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Ivan Radenovic (So.), F. Hassan Adams (Jr.), C. Channing Frye (Sr.), G. Salim Stoudamire (Sr.), G. Mustapha Shakur (So.)
Key reserves: Jawann McClellan (Fr.), Chris Rodgers (Jr.)
Comment: Had this team not blown a late double-digit lead against Illinois, Arizona would have been in the Final Four.
vs.
4. Arizona (2002-03)
Record: 28-4, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Luke Walton (Sr.), F. Rick Anderson (Sr.), C. Channing Frye (So.), G. Salim Stoudamire (So.), G. Jason Gardner (Sr.)
Key reserves: Hassan Adams (Fr.), Andre Iguodala (Fr.)
Comment: Only a midseason loss to Stanford prevented this Arizona team from going undefeated in conference play.
3. UCLA (2005-06)
Record: 32-7, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the national title game to Florida
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Fr.), C. Ryan Hollins (Sr.), G. Cedric Bozeman (Sr.), G. Arron Afflalo (So.), G. Jordan Farmar (So.)
Key reserves: Darren Collison (Fr.), Lorenzo Mata (So.), Michael Roll (Fr.)
Comment: With a shot-blocking center and long, ball-hawking wings, this was Ben Howland's best defensive team.
vs.
6. UCLA (2006-07)
Record: 30-6, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (So.), F. Josh Shipp (So.), C. Lorenzo Mata-Real (Jr.), G. Arron Afflalo (Jr.), G. Darren Collison (So.)
Key bench players: Alfred Aboya (So.), Michael Roll (So.), Russell Westbrook (Fr.)
Comment: This guard-heavy UCLA team might have brought home a 12th national title had it not run into Florida for the second year in a row
2. Stanford (2003-04)
Record: 30-2, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Alabama in the second round
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Josh Childress (Jr.), F. Justin Davis (Sr.), C. Rob Little (Jr.), G. Matt Lottich (Sr.), G. Chris Hernandez (So.)
Key reserves: Nick Robinson (Jr.), Dan Grunfeld (So.) Matt Haryasz (So.)
Commment: The second-round debacle against Alabama overshadows the accomplishments of what was probably Mike Montgomery's best Stanford team
vs.
7. Stanford (2000-01)
Record: 31-3, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Maryland in the Elite Eight
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Ryan Mendez (Sr.) F. Jarron Collins (Sr.), C. Jason Collins (So.), G. Casey Jacobsen (So.), G. Michael McDonald (Sr.)
Key reserves: Julius Barnes (So.), Justin Davis (Fr.), Teyo Johnson (Fr.)
Comment: This balanced Stanford team spent much of the season ranked No. 1 before falling to Maryland in the Elite Eight.
1:06 AM Tue, May 27, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
What would happen if this past year's UCLA team met either of Ben Howland's previous Final Four teams? And could any of those defensive-oriented squads hang with the juggernaut Arizona and Stanford teams from earlier in the decade? Now's your chance to vote because I've created a Pac-10 Team of the Decade tournament to help us pass the time until college hoops gets started again.
The format for the 16-team tournament is simple: The eight most recent Pac-10 champions were seeded 1-8 with wild card spots awarded to the eight best remaining teams from 2000-2008. I listed some pertinent facts about each of the 16 teams below in case you need a refresher course on some of the ones from early in the decade.
You'll have a week to cast your votes on the first-round games, and I'll tally up the winners and post the second-round games next Monday morning. Is it a little corny? Sure. Will it be fun? I hope so too.
Pac-10 Team of the Decade tournament
First Round
1. UCLA (2007-08)
Record: 35-4, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Memphis in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Jr.), F. Josh Shipp (Jr.), C. Kevin Love (Fr.), G. Russell Westbrook (So.), G. Darren Collison (Jr.)
Key bench players: James Keefe (So.), Lorenzo Mata-Real (Sr.), Alfred Aboya (Jr.)
Comment: Kevin Love's presence made this the most balanced of UCLA's three Final Four teams.
vs.
16. USC (2006-07)
Record: 25-12, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina
Coach: Tim Floyd
Starting lineup: F. Dwight Lewis (Fr.), F. Taj Gibson (Fr.), G. Lodrick Stewart (Sr.), G. Gabe Pruitt (Jr.), G. Nick Young (Jr.)
Key reserves: Keith Wilkinson, Abdoulaye N'Diaye
Comment: The guard-heavy Trojans gelled late in the season and gave North Carolina a big Sweet 16 scare.
8. Oregon 2001-02
Record: 26-9, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Ernie Kent
Starting lineup: F. Robert Johnson (Sr.), F. Luke Jackson (So.), C. Chris Christofferson (Sr.), G. Freddie Jones (Sr.), G. Luke Ridnour (Jr.)
Key reserves: Anthony Lever, James Davis
Comment: With the two Lukes and Freddie Jones, this was the best Oregon team of the modern era and one of the Pac-10's most entertaining teams to watch.
vs.
9. Arizona 2000-01
Record: 28-8, 15-3 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the NCAA title game
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Richard Jefferson (Jr.), F. Michael Wright (Jr.), C. Loren Woods (Sr.), G. Gilbert Arenas (So.), G. Jason Gardner (So.)
Key reserves: Luke Walton (So.), Eugene Edgerson (Sr.)
Comment: Has there been a more talented starting five this decade than the one the Wildcats fielded in 2001?
5. Arizona 2004-05
Record: 30-7, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Illinois in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Ivan Radenovic (So.), F. Hassan Adams (Jr.), C. Channing Frye (Sr.), G. Salim Stoudamire (Sr.), G. Mustapha Shakur (So.)
Key reserves: Jawann McClellan (Fr.), Chris Rodgers (Jr.)
Comment: Had this team not blown a late double-digit lead against Illinois, Arizona would have been in the Final Four.
vs.
12. Stanford (2007-08)
Record: 28-8, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Texas in the Sweet 16
Coach: Trent Johnson
Starting lineup: F. Lawrence Hill (Jr.), F. Brook Lopez (So.), C. Robin Lopez (So.), G. Anthony Goods (Jr.), G. Mitch Johnson (Jr.)
Key bench players: Taj Finger (Sr.), Landry Fields (So.)
Comment: The Lopez twins masked this team's deficiencies at guard
4. Arizona 2002-03
Record: 28-4, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Kansas in the Elite Eight
Coach: Lute Olson
Starting lineup: F. Luke Walton (Sr.), F. Rick Anderson (Sr.), C. Channing Frye (So.), G. Salim Stoudamire (So.), G. Jason Gardner (Sr.)
Key reserves: Hassan Adams (Fr.), Andre Iguodala (Fr.)
Comment: Only a midseason loss to Stanford prevented this Arizona team from going undefeated in conference play.
vs.
13. Oregon (2006-07)
Record: 29-8, 11-7 (T3rd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in Elite Eight
Coach: Ernie Kent
Starting lineup: F. Maarty Leunen (Jr.), F. Malik Hairston (Jr.), G. Bryce Taylor (Jr.), G. Tajuan Porter (Fr.), G. Aaron Brooks (Sr.)
Key bench players: Chamberlain Oguchi (So.), Joevan Catron (Fr.)
Comment: Few people remember that this Oregon team came closer to beating Florida in the NCAA tournament than anyone else.
3. UCLA 2005-06
Record: 32-7, 14-4 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost in the national title game to Florida
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Fr.), C. Ryan Hollins (Sr.), G. Cedric Bozeman (Sr.), G. Arron Afflalo (So.), G. Jordan Farmar (So.)
Key reserves: Darren Collison (Fr.), Lorenzo Mata (So.), Michael Roll (Fr.)
Comment: With a shot-blocking center and long, ball-hawking wings, this was Ben Howland's best defensive team.
vs.
14. USC 2000-01
Record: 24-10, 11-7 (T4th Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Duke in the Elite Eight
Coach: Henry Bibby
Starting lineup: F. David Bluthenthal (Jr.), F. Sam Clancy (Jr.), C. Brian Scalabrine (Sr.), G. Jeff Trepagnier (Sr.), G. Brandon Granville (Jr.)
Key reserves: Jarvis Turner (Sr.), Desmon Farmer (Fr.)
Comment: Trepagnier's suspension cost this team some regular season games, but the Trojans went on a memorable tournament run
6. UCLA (2006-07)
Record: 30-6, 15-3 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Florida in the Final Four
Coach: Ben Howland
Starting lineup: F. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (So.), F. Josh Shipp (So.), C. Lorenzo Mata-Real (Jr.), G. Arron Afflalo (Jr.), G. Darren Collison (So.)
Key bench players: Alfred Aboya (So.), Michael Roll (So.), Russell Westbrook (Fr.)
Comment: This guard-heavy UCLA team might have brought home a 12th national title had it not run into Florida for the second year in a row
vs.
11. Washington 2005-06
Record 26-7, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Connecticut in Sweet 16
Coach: Lorenzo Romar
Starting Lineup: F. Bobby Jones (Sr.), F. Jon Brockman (Fr.), C. Mike Jensen (Sr.), G. Brandon Roy (Sr.), G. Justin Dentmon (Fr.)
Key reserves: Jamaal Williams (Sr.), Ryan Appleby (So.)
Comment: Questionable refereeing against UConn kept this Washington team from making an even deeper NCAA run.
7. Stanford 2000-01
Record: 31-3, 16-2 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Maryland in the Elite Eight
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Ryan Mendez (Sr.) F. Jarron Collins (Sr.), C. Jason Collins (So.), G. Casey Jacobsen (So.), G. Michael McDonald (Sr.)
Key reserves: Julius Barnes (So.), Justin Davis (Fr.), Teyo Johnson (Fr.)
Comment: This balanced Stanford team spent much of the season ranked No. 1 before falling to Maryland in the Elite Eight.
vs.
10. Washington 2004-05
Record: 29-6, 14-4 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16
Coach: Lorenzo Romar
Starting lineup: F. Bobby Jones (Jr.), C. Mike Jensen (Jr.), G. Tre Simmons (Sr.), G. Will Conroy (Sr.), G. Nate Robinson (Jr.)
Key reserves: Brandon Roy (Jr.), Joel Smith (Sr.), Jamaal Williams (Jr.)
Comment: Guards, guards and more guards -- this team was fast, high-flying and fun to watch.
2. Stanford 2003-04
Record: 30-2, 17-1 (1st Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Alabama in the second round
Coach: Mike Montgomery
Starting lineup: F. Josh Childress (Jr.), F. Justin Davis (Sr.), C. Rob Little (Jr.), G. Matt Lottich (Sr.), G. Chris Hernandez (So.)
Key reserves: Nick Robinson (Jr.), Dan Grunfeld (So.) Matt Haryasz (So.)
Commment: The second-round debacle against Alabama overshadows the accomplishments of what was probably Mike Montgomery's best Stanford team
vs.
15. Washington State (2006-07)
Record: 26-8, 13-5 (2nd Pac-10)
NCAA finish: Lost to Vanderbilt in the second round
Coach Tony Bennett
Starting lineup: F. Daven Harmeling (So.), F. Ivory Clark (Sr.), F. Robbie Cowgill (Jr.), G. Kyle Weaver (Jr.), G. Derrick Low (G)
Key bench players: Arron Baynes (So.), Taylor Rochestie (So.)
Comment: These Cougars came from out of nowhere to challenge UCLA for the conference title and emerge as one of the nation's top teams.
8:05 AM Tue, May 06, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jim Alexander
The Riverside Sport Hall of Fame honored its sixth class of inductees Monday night at the Riverside Convention Center, and here are some highlights and comments from those honored:
11:58 AM Sat, May 03, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
The USC-UCLA track and field dual meets -- one of the most underrated and hotly contested LA sporting events -- will be shown live on Fox Sports Net this afternoon at 1 p.m.
The USC men's team defeated UCLA 84-79 last season and leads in the all-time series with the Bruins 40-34. Six of the last nine meetings between the USC and UCLA men's teams have been decided by five points or less. The UCLA women captured their 15th consecutive dual meet victory last year, beating USC, 98-65, to improve their all-time series record to 21-3.
Here are heat sheets and live results for the meet and a few athletes to watch on both sides:
5:13 PM Thu, May 01, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
Although he never made a formal announcement, USC's Davon Jefferson signed with agent Arn Tellum when he made himself eligible for the NBA draft, a school spokesman said Thursday. Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, is projected to be drafted in the late-first or early-second round.
USC placed two players on the NationalChamps.net Preseason All-American List.
And the Trojans were ranked No. 3 in the NationalChamps.net Preseason Rankings
Here's the official press release:
April 17, 2008 - NationalChamps.net has officially released its College Football Preview for the upcoming 2008 season, including their Preseason Top 25 and the list of Preseason All-Americans.
Two football players from the University of Southern California have been selected First and Third Team All-Americans by the website.
Senior linebacker Rey Maualuga is a First Team honoree. Senior defensive back Kevin Ellison has been tabbed as a Third Team honoree.
The site ranks the Trojans at No. 3 overall in their Preseason Top 25.
This will be the ninth season NationalChamps.net has released an annual College Football Preview, complete with analysis, projections, depth charts and unit rankings.
The NationalChamps.net TV Listings contain a week-by-week and game-by-game schedule breakdown, complete for every team with announced television times and channels.
Taylor King's father told me this afternoon that the four schools his son is most interested in are four of the same schools who recruited him out of Santa Ana Mater Dei: USC, Villanova, Gonzaga and UCLA. Steve King said USC, Villanova and Gonzaga have contacted the family directly, but the Kings are still waiting to hear directly from a member of the UCLA coaching staff.
King, who originally committed to UCLA after eighth grade before changing his mind and going to Duke, saw action in all 34 games, averaging 5.9 points and 2.0 rebounds for the Blue Devils. The former McDonalds All-American announced his intent to transfer at the end of the season, but will remain enrolled at Duke through the end of the spring semester.
-- Jeff Eisenberg
8:00 PM Thu, Feb 28, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Matt Hurst
With less than 30 seconds left in the game, a U of A fan threw a water bottle onto the court that exploded on the USC bench, mainly spraying coach Tim Floyd and Dwight Lewis.
Arizona coach Kevin O'Neill got on the microphone and yelled "Hey! Get that guy!" referring to the offender. Several in the student section pointed to the culprit. "We're not doing that here under any circumstances!" O'Neill continued. "Tim, I apologize to you and your team."
The water bottle may have been a result of Davon Jefferson slamming home a dunk with 55 seconds left and pointing to the crowd.
Regardless, USC won 70-58 and are now 9-6 in conference, just about guaranteeing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
6:49 PM Thu, Feb 28, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Matt Hurst
USC takes a nine-point lead into the half. ...
They led very early, jumping out to a 13-4 lead and were up 32-16 before UA went on a quick run and cut the lead to 32-26.
But, a dunk from Taj Gibson (10 first half points) and Angelo Johnson's layup made it 36-26.
OJ Mayo had nine points and Davon Jefferson added seven points and four rebounds. But the star was Dwight Lewis who draped himself all over Chase Budinger, constantly knocking passes away and generally being a pest as Budinger's shadow, holding the Wildcat star to six points. Jerryd Bayless, UA's star point guard, picked up his third foul with 5:39 left in the first half and didn't play the remainder of the first stanza.
5:57 PM Thu, Feb 28, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Matt Hurst
Some pre-game notes before the USC-'Zona game tips off here in a few minutes:
-- At 8-6 in Pac-10 play, USC is looking to lock up a NCAA tourney berth. No team has ever gotten in from the Pac-10 with a 9-9 record. So, this is an important almost must-win game for the Trojans.
-- Arizona is 7-7 and equally in need of a win to keep their streak of 23 consecutive tournament berths alive.
-- After snapping a 23-game losing streak in Tucson, USC will look to win back-to-back games at the McKale Center for the first time since the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons.
-- The Trojans have won eight of their past 11 games.
-- The Wildcats have lost four of their past six games.
-- Arizona's best player looks an awful lot like P-E sports writer Matt Calkins. Separated at birth?
8:00 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
For the Pac-10 to get more than four or five NCAA berths, the selection committee is probably going to have to do something it hasn't done since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985: invite a Pac-10 team with a .500 record.
Of the 14 Pac-10 teams to finish 9-9 in the conference during the past two-plus decades, none have made it to the NCAA tournament. Of course, very few of those teams had the strength of schedule and RPI of this year's USC and Arizona teams, the four RPI top 25 victories of Arizona State or were coming off an elite eight run like Oregon.
With three weeks remaining in the conference season, UCLA, Stanford and Washington State are near-certain NCAA tournament teams. Here's my best guess for what the Pac-10's other five teams need to do to get invited to the dance:
Arizona (16-9, 6-6) -- With an RPI of 16 bolstered by non-conference wins over Texas A&M, UNLV and Houston, the Wildcats seem pretty safe. Still, they would be wise to at least get to .500 in conference play by winning three of their final six games -- no easy task considering four of six are on the road and UCLA is one of the two home games. If Arizona goes into a late tailspin, would the selection committee take into account that three early losses came without Jerryd Bayless and all the late ones are without Nick Wise? In theory, it would, but that's a big risk. USC (15-9, 6-6) -- Even with four of six games at home, USC's spot in the field is tenuous because of Daniel Hackett's absence. I can't see the Trojans missing the tournament if they get to 18 wins, but USC is so short on depth right now that getting to 9-9 may be a tall order. Plus, if Hackett is truly out for the season, the selection committee would take that into account. I still like USC's chances, but sweeping the Oregon schools at home this week would be a huge coup. Arizona State (16-8, 6-6) -- Had the Sun Devils beaten Cal at home on Saturday, they would be in great shape right now. Instead Arizona State has a tough path ahead of it with road trips to the Washington schools and the Oregon schools sandwiched around home games against USC and UCLA. A horrid non-conference schedule has Arizona State's RPI still way down in the 70s, but the Sun Devils do have four RPI top 25 wins (Xavier, Stanford and two over Arizona). Still, they would be wise to get to 20 wins, including the Pac-10 tournament, to feel safe. Oregon (15-10, 6-7) -- This is a must-split road trip for the Ducks in Los Angeles, which makes Oregon's game at USC Thursday night absolutely essential. With an RPI of 50 and ugly early losses to Nebraska and Oakland, the Ducks need at least three wins in their last five games to have any chance and maybe a win or two in the Pac-10 tournament on top of that. Cal (15-9, 6-7) -- The Bears appear to be in identical position to Oregon, except their schedule is far tougher. Road games at Stanford, USC and UCLA remain, as does a home date with Washington State. With an RPI of No. 77, Cal must get to at least .500 in conference play before the Pac-10 tournament -- a near impossible task given the road in front of the Bears.
11:10 AM Sun, Jan 06, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Jeff Eisenberg
* For those who questioned whether UCLA's soft non-conference schedule properly prepared it for Pac-10 play, can we put those worries to rest now? The Bruins often looked bored in dispatching a parade of lesser teams in December, but they ratcheted up their intensity another level this weekend, completing a road sweep of their Bay Area rivals for the second time in eight years.
* USC won't be the only team to go winless on the Northern California trip this year, but the 0-2 start is particularly damaging since two of the Trojans' next three games come against conference favorites UCLA and Washington State. If USC thought it was tough to score against Stanford, it won't be any easier in those two games.
* Can we all agree that Arizona State is for real? Yes, the Sun Devils merely held serve at home, but they looked a heck of a lot better than their in-state rivals did in doing so. Arizona State shackled Oregon's high-powered offense, then routed lowly Oregon State. Arizona, on the other hand, trailed into the second half against the Beavers, then abandoned all semblance of defense against the Ducks. Not a good weekend for the Wildcats, albeit without freshman Jerryd Bayless.
* The biggest win of the weekend was Stanford's victory over USC. An 0-2 start at home would have been extremely damaging to the Cardinal, especially since their gaudy 11-1 non-conference record came largely against inferior competition. Now if Stanford can figure out how to get more production from Lawrence Hill, it might have a chance to really get things going.
7:16 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (1)
Posted by: Dan Weber
OK, it's probably never good to have to open a conference schedule on the road -- especially not in a conference as good as the Pac-10.
However there is this ray of good fortune. Play the first week of the season on the road, as USC is doing tonight at Cal's Haas Pavilion and you catch teams without the students back on campus.
And that is a far better scenario than catching teams when the full student body is in the stands, especially in Pac-10 arenas that must have the most seats in the smallest space of any league in the nattion at places like Oregon's MacArthur Court, Stanford's Maples Pavilion, Arizona's McKale Arena and here at Haas.
WASHINGTON STATE (12-0)
COACH: Tony Bennett, 2nd year
LAST SEASON: 26-8, 13-5, 2nd (lost to Vanderbilt in NCAA 2nd round)
KEY WINS: Win at intra-state rival Gonzaga was impressive, as was beating resurgent Baylor on the road
BAD LOSS: None
OUTLOOK: On the heels of last year’s stunning 26-win season, Washington State appears ready to challenge UCLA for the conference title. The unbeaten Cougars, off to their best start since the 1991-92 season, return four starters, though key reserve Daven Harmeling will miss at least another week due to a fractured right thumb.
UCLA (12-1)
COACH: Ben Howland, 5th year
2006-07: 30-6, 15-3, 1st (lost to Florida in Final Four)
KEY WIN: Overcoming a double-digit deficit to beat Michigan State in the CBE Classic title game
BAD LOSS: None
OUTLOOK: At least eight scholarship players have missed practice time or games due to an assortment of nicks and bruises, yet UCLA remains a prohibitive favorite to capture a third consecutive Pac-10 title. A big reason is the addition of freshman Kevin Love, who gives UCLA the interior scoring presence it lacked in previous years.
STANFORD (11-1)
COACH: Trent Johnson, 4th year
LAST SEASON: 18-13, 10-8, 6th (lost to Louisville in NCAA 1st round)
KEY WIN: Narrow road victory over Texas Tech is the best they’ve got
BAD LOSS: Traveling cross-country to face Siena predictably didn’t end well
OUTLOOK: A soft non-conference schedule helped the Cardinal survive without forward Brook Lopez for the first six weeks. Now that he’s emerged from academic purgatory, Stanford boasts a frontline formidable enough to compensate for an underwhelming backcourt that can be prone to turnovers.
ARIZONA STATE (10-2)
COACH: Herb Sendek, 2nd year
LAST SEASON: 8-22, 2-16, 10th
KEY WIN: A stunning 17-point thrashing of then-No. 17 Xavier
BAD LOSS: At mediocre Nebraska last month, 62-47
OUTLOOK: Add a star-studded freshman class to a well-disciplined but talent-starved roster and what do you get? Apparently a surprise NCAA tournament contender. The Sun Devils might be a year away from challenging the Pac-10’s top teams, but they’re no longer a shoo-in for the lower half of the conference.
CALIFORNIA (9-2)
COACH: Ben Braun, 12th year
LAST SEASON: 16-17, 6-12, 8th
KEY WINS: Back-to-back victories against Nevada and Missouri were impressive
BAD LOSS: An uninspired effort at home against an ordinary Utah team
OUTLOOK: NBA-caliber big men Ryan Anderson and DeVon Hardin anchor an imposing frontcourt that is among the nation’s best. It’s the performance of Cal’s suspect backcourt, however, that will likely determine whether the Bears return to the NCAA tournament this March.
USC (9-3)
COACH: Tim Floyd, 3rd year
LAST SEASON: 25-12, 11-7, T3rd (lost to North Carolina in Round of 16) KEY WIN: Beating Oklahoma seems more impressive now that the Sooners are playing well
BAD LOSS: Season-opening loss to Mercer still seems inexplicable
OUTLOOK: Despite losing its three top guards from last year, USC expects to finish in the upper half of the conference. Ball-hawking guards O.J. Mayo and Daniel Hackett lead a defense that has surrendered no more than 62 points in each of its past nine games, but the Trojans need more consistent production from Taj Gibson down low.
OREGON (9-3)
COACH: Ernie Kent, 11th year
LAST SEASON: 29-8, 11-7, T3rd (lost to Florida in Elite Eight)
KEY WIN: Stifled a Michael Beasley-led Kansas State team on the road
BAD LOSS: How could the Ducks lose at tiny Oakland last month?
OUTLOOK: Four starters return from Oregon’s Elite Eight team of a year ago, but these Ducks have been a disappointment. Losses at Saint Mary’s, Nebraska and Oakland may be a bad omen since the road tests only get more daunting once conference play begins.
ARIZONA (9-3)
COACH: Kevin O’Neill, 1st year
LAST SEASON: 20-11, 11-7 Pac-10, T3rd (lost to Purdue in NCAA 1st round)
KEY WIN: Came from 12 down at halftime to stun Texas A&M last month
BAD LOSS: At home by three to ACC also-ran Virginia
OUTLOOK: Lute Olson’s absence isn’t the only unfamiliar element to this Arizona team. The Wildcats have adopted the gritty personality of O’Neill, demonstrating uncharacteristic toughness and defensive intensity to complement their run-and-gun offensive style.
WASHINGTON (9-4)
COACH: Lorenzo Romar, 6th year
LAST SEASON: 19-13, 8-10, 7th
KEY WIN: Huge comeback at LSU is Washington’s only marquee victory
BAD LOSS: Losing at Oklahoma State isn’t typically embarrassing, but the Cowboys (7-5) are struggling
OUTLOOK: If the Huskies miss the NCAA tournament for a second straight year, they’ll blame a handful of early missed opportunities. Not only did Washington fail to beat either Texas A&M or Syracuse in the Preseason NIT in New York, but it also fell by one point at home against unbeaten Pittsburgh three weeks later.
OREGON STATE (6-6)
COACH: Jay John, 6th year
LAST SEASON: 11-21, 3-15, 9th
KEY WIN: None
BAD LOSS: Take your pick between Alaska-Fairbanks, Tennessee Tech and Montana State
OUTLOOK: In a conference as deep and talent-laden as this one, there appears to be only one certainty: Oregon State will finish last. Kansas transfer C.J. Giles will complement top scorers Marcel Jones and Seth Tarver, but the Beavers will be hard-pressed to stay out of the cellar and save John’s job.
JEFF EISENBERG
7:49 PM Tue, Jan 01, 2008 | Permalink
| Comments (0)
Posted by: Kevin Pearson
With DeWayne Walker reportedly meeting with Washington brass regarding their defensive coordinator position, UCLA may already be trying to line up its next DC with former Bruin great and current USC linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr.
Norton received a Gatorade bath following USC's Rose Bowl victories as if it were a send-off from his players and ABC News is reporting that he will be UCLA's new DC.
A USC source said that there was no official word but USC coach Pete Carroll sarcastically said that he was sure Rick Neuheisel would wait until after the Rose Bowl to talk to Norton about the job.
RSS
