Pac-Tending 01-03-07

"Butch joins a prestigious list of winners, which now consists of winners spanning from the Pacific to the Atlantic."

- Capital One spokesman Steve Schooff, after Wazzu's Butch won the company's "Mascot of the Year" challenge.

The Creek was alive this week as bowl games came to a close for the conference's teams. The Pac-10 has always had a close relationship with successful post-season results and after uncharacteristically starting out 0-3 in their first three bowl games, won the final three to finish at 3-3 – culminating in USC's win over Michigan in the conference's signature Rose Bowl game.

Meanwhile at NCAA HQ, it was a slow week as the bowl game season wraps up but the Director's Cup standings were updated and 12-time champ Stanford began their annual run toward the top by taking over the top spot while five Pac-10 schools peppered the top 15.

Arizona State

The Sun Devils received a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Luis Vasquez while Washington receivers coach Eric Yarber joined the staff as ASU's new receivers coach.

In men's hoop, the Sun Devils were swept by California and Stanford to fall to 6-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play with a 277 RPI.

In women's hoop, ASU beat California but lost to Stanford to move to 12-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play with a 10 RPI.

UCLA

In men's hoop, the Bruins swept WSU and Washington to remain undefeated at 13-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play with a 1 RPI.

In women's hoop, UCLA beat WSU but lost to Washington to move to 8-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play with a 74 RPI.

Arizona

The Wildcats lost quarterback recruit Cade Cooper to BYU.

In men's hoop, the Wildcats swept California and Stanford to improve to 11-1 overall with a 2 RPI. Senior forward Ivan Radenovic was named as the conference's player of the week.

In women's hoop, Arizona was swept by Stanford and California to drop to 6-9 overall and 0-3 in conference play with a 60 RPI.

California

The Bears defeated Texas A&M, 45-10, in the Holiday Bowl to finish their season at 10-3. Running back Marshawn Lynch has decided to forego his senior season and make himself available for the NFL draft.

In men's hoop, the Bears beat ASU but lost to Arizona to move to 9-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play with a 34 RPI.

In women's hoop, California lost to ASU but beat Arizona and Rhode Island to move to 11-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play with a 34 RPI.

USC

The Trojans defeated Michigan, 32-18, in the Rose Bowl, and finished their season at 12-2. Freshman receiver Damian Williams from Arkansas intends to transfer to USC.

In men's hoop, USC beat Washington but lost to WSU to move to 11-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play with an 87 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy lost to Washington but defeate WSU to move to 7-7 overall and 1-3 in conference play with a 90 RPI.

Former Cal State-Fullerton head coach Ali Khosroshahin was named as the new head coach in women's soccer at USC.

WSU

In men's hoop, the Cougars lost to UCLA but defeated USC to move to 12-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play with a 31 RPI.

In women's hoop, WSU was swept by UCLA and USC to drop to 5-9 overall and 1-3 in conference play with a 241 RPI.

Stanford

In men's hoop, the Cardinal defeated ASU but lost to Arizona to move to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play with a 50 RPI.

In women's hoop, Stanford swept ASU and Arizona and beat Fresno State to improve to 10-3 overall and 4-0 in conference play with a 6 RPI. Junior guard Candice Wiggins was named as the conference's player of the week.

Oregon State

The Beavers defeated Missouri, 39-38, in the Sun Bowl to finish 10-4 on the year. Oregon State is still searching for a 2007 season opener after turning down a travel game to Auburn as the opener.

In men's hoop, the Beavers lost to rival Oregon to drop to 8-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play with a 209 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon State beat Holy Cross to improve to 5-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play with a 263 RPI.

Washington

In men's hoop, Washington was swept by USC and UCLA to fall to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play with a 36 RPI.

In women's hoop, Washington swept UCLA and USC improve to 11-4 overall and 4-0 in conference play with a 20 RPI.

Oregon

In men's hoop, the Ducks beat rival OSU and Portland to remain undefeated at 13-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play with a 28 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon beat BYU to improve to 9-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play with a 61 RPI.

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