Pac-Tending 01-09-08

"What difference does that make? I don't know if that matters."

- California head football coach Jeff Tedford, when asked if the departures of two assistant coaches from his staff were mutual decisions.

Hoops season has begun in earnest at the Creek and both men's and women's are well-represented in the rankings but teams in both leagues have already discovered how tough the Pac-10 is this year with the Arizona men and Stanford women already suffering first-week defeats.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the NCAA will consider potential changes to the Academic Progress Rate [APR] that would alter criteria for transfer student-athletes.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, University of Connecticut forward Marcus Johnson has transferred to Oregon State and will be eligible in the 2008-09 season.

WSU

In men's hoop, 4th-ranked Wazzu defeated rival Washington, to remain undefeated on the year at 13-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play with a 29 RPI. Freshman guard Stephen Sauls suffered a concussion and will be out for this week's games.

In football, former Cougar assistant coach Chris Ball re-joined Wazzu from Pittsburgh and will be co-defensive coordinator while offensive line coach Harold Etheridge was hired from Northern Illinois. The Cougars received verbal commitments from quarterback Calvin Schmidtke and tight end Andrei Lintz.

In women's hoop, the Cougars lost to rival Washington to drop to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in Pac-10 play with a 271 RPI.

Arizona State

In football, the Sun Devils have moved their games with UCLA [to November 28] and Arizona State [to December 6] – both are scheduled to be televised by ESPN. Cornerbacks assistant coach Al Simmons has left to join the staff at California. Arizona State received verbal commitments from receiver A.J. Pickens, safety Max Tabach and athlete Gerell Robinson.

In men's hoop, freshman guard James Harden was named as the conference's player of the week.

Oregon

In men's hoop, the Ducks split with Arizona and Arizona State to move to 10-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play with a 36 RPI.

Arizona

In football, the Wildcats received a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Solomon Koehler.

UCLA

In football, the Bruins hired Wisconsin offensive line coach Bob Palcic and North Dakota State receivers coach Reggie Moore.

Washington

In football, the Huskies announced the enrollment of receivers Anthony Boyles and Devin Aguilar along with running back Chris Polk.

Stanford

In women's hoop, the Cardinal were swept by USC and UCLA to fall to 13-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a 5 RPI.

USC

In men's hoop, freshman center Mamadou Diarra is expected to ba available this week after recovering from a hernia.

California

In football, California released assistant coaches Ken Delgado, Dan Ferrigno and R. Todd Littlejohn. Arizona State assistant coach Al Simmons and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti were hired.

In women's hoop, junior center Devanei Hampton was named as the conference's player of the week.

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