Pac-Tending 01-10-07

"This is really tough for everyone to swallow right now."

- USC linebacker Dallas Sartz reacting to the news of the death of kicker Mario Danelo from an alleged fall from a cliff in southern California.

The Creek is in full-on hoop mode this week as the Pac-10 had five teams in the men's hoop national polls and three more in the women's poll this week.

Meanwhile at NCAA HQ, a tiered penalty plan that will lessen sanctions for teams that are in the penalty phase of the Academic Progress Rate [APR] system will be considered and the graduate transfer rule was overridden, meaning graduate student-athletes will not be allowed to transfer and compete immediately.

Stanford

In men's hoop, Stanford lost to rival California but defeated Virginia to move to 9-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play with a 51 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Cardinal beat South Carolina and rival California to improve to 12-3 overall and 5-0 in conference play with a 6 RPI.

Arizona

Defensive lineman Ron Jackson gave a verbal commitment to the Wildcats in football.

In men's hoop, Arizona beat Washington but lost to WSU to move to 12-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a 2 RPI. Forward Bret Brielmaier is out for at least the month due to a knee injury and center Kirk Walters will miss the remainder of the year as he battles a bout of mononucleosis.

In women's hoop, the Wildcats lost to Washington but defeated WSU to move to 7-10 overall and 1-4 in conference play with a 67 RPI.

USC

Kicker Mario Danelo was found dead – the victim of a suspected accident - at the base of a cliff in southern California last week.

In men's hoop, the Trojans swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 13-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a 55 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 9-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play with a 72 RPI.

Washington

Washington received a verbal commitment from offensive lineman Mark Armelin while receiver Anthony Boyles is reported to be reconsidering his commitment.

In men's hoop, the Huskies lost to Arizona but defeated Arizona State to move to 11-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play with a 59 RPI.

In women's hoop, Washington beat Arizona but lost to Arizona State to move to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in conference play with a 22 RPI.

UCLA

In men's hoop, UCLA beat Oregon State but lost to Oregon to move to 14-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a 1 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bruins lost to Oregon State but defeated Oregon to move to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in conference play with an 80 RPI. Freshman guard Amy Horton was granted a release to allow her to transfer to a school closer to her native Georgia.

Oregon

In men's hoop, Oregon lost to USC but defeated UCLA to move to 14-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play with a 29 RPI. Senior guard Aaron Brooks was named as the conference's player of the week. Oregon received a verbal commitment from guard Drew Wiley.

In women's hoop, the Ducks were swept by UCLA and USC to drop to 9-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play with a 98 RPI.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, the Beavers were swept by UCLA and USC to drop to 8-8 overall and 0-3 in conference play with a 213 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon State beat UCLA but lost to USC to move to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in conference play with a 251 RPI.

WSU

The Cougars have hired Nevada defensive line coach Marty Long and received a verbal commitment from offensive lineman Steven Ayers.

In men's hoop, Wazzu swept Arizona and Arizona State to improve to 14-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play with a 26 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Cougars were swept by Arizona State and Arizona to drop to 5-11 overall and 1-5 in conference play with a 248 RPI.

In women's soccer, WSU received a verbal commitment from goalkeeper Lindsay Parlee from Tualatin, Oregon.

Arizona State

The Sun Devils received oral commitments from quarterback Chasen Stangel and defensive back Jarrell Holman.

Tight end Zach Miller declared himself eligible for the NFL draft.

In men's hoop, the Sun Devils were swept by WSU and Washington to fall to 6-9 overall and 0-4 in conference play with a 243 RPI.

In women's hoop, Arizona State swept WSU and Washington to improve to 14-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play with a 12 RPI. Freshman guard Dymond Simon was named as the conference's player of the week.

California

In men's hoop, the Bears beat rival Stanford to improve to 10-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play with a 33 RPI.

In women's hoop, California lost to rival Stanford to drop to 11-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play with a 41 RPI.

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