Pac-Tending 01-18-06

"If we're going to get five – if everyone's knocking everyone off, it's going to hurt teams trying to get in."

- Arizona head men's hoop coach Lute Olson, commenting on the conference parity hurting the chances of getting five teams or more into the Big Dance.

There was no conference depreciation in the final fall standings of the NACDA Director's Cup competition as five conference teams were lodged in the top 15. Eleven-time defending champion Stanford led the pack at the three spot and eight schools overall were represented in the standings.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, regional officiating advisors will be added in both men's and women's hoop next year to emphasize consistent officiating across the regions and conferences.

The NCAA also announced that they will reconsider a proposal to reduce the season from 56 games to 52, due to academic concerns. The issue goes up for final approval in April and, if approved, would take effect in August 2007.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, the Beavers beat Arizona but lost to Arizona State to move to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play with a 164 RPI. Senior guard Lamar Hurd is out for this week with a groin injury.

In women's hoop, Oregon State also beat Arizona and lost to Arizona State to move to 7-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play with a 109 RPI.

Stanford

The Stanford athletic department investigated charges that football players hosting recruits in January 2003 took the recruits to a strip club, but found that no NCAA rules were violated. The cardinal received an oral commitment from receiver Richard Sherman.

In men's hoop, Stanford defeated California to improve to 7-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play with a 140 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Cardinal defeated California to improve to 11-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play with a 24 RPI.

USC

Running back LenDale White, safety Darnell Bing and offensive linemen Fred Matua and Winston Justice all decided to forego their college eligibility and make themselves available for the NFL Draft.

In men's hoop, USC defeated WSU but lost to Washington to move to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play with a 130 RPI. Freshman point guard Ryan Francis suffered a knee injury and is questionable for this week's games. Senior guard Craig Penrose was awarded a scholarship.The Trojans received an oral commitment from guard Quinton Watkins.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy swept WSU and Washington to improve to 12-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play with a 33 RPI. Junior guard Shay Murphy was named as the conference's player of the week.

Oregon

In men's hoop, the Ducks swept Arizona and Arizona State to improve to 9-8 overall and 3-2 in conference play with a 169 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon was swept by Arizona and Arizona State to drop to 10-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play with a 103 RPI.

WSU

The Cougars received verbal commitments from defensive linemen Ansley Clevil and Preston Brooks. Receiver Michael Bumpus was declared academically ineligible and dismissed from school.

In men's hoop, the Cougars lost to UCLA and USC to fall to 9-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play with a 50 RPI.

In women's hoop, Wazzu also lost to USC and UCLA to drop to 6-10 overall and 0-7 in conference play with a 145 RPI.

Arizona

Arizona hired Kansas State graduate assistant Dana Dimel to coach tight ends. The Wildcats received a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Jovon Hayes.

In men's hoop, Arizona was swept by Oregon and Oregon State to fall to 10-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play with an 18 RPI. Freshman guard J.P. Prince is possibly out for this week due to a foot injury. The Wildcats received a verbal commitment from forward Jamelle Horne.

In women's hoop, the Wildcats lost to Oregon State but defeated Oregon to move to 6-11 overall and 2-5 in conference play with a 140 RPI..

Arizona State

The Sun Devils hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Roy Wittke as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Arizona State received a verbal commitment from safety Ryan McFoy.

In men's hoop, the Sun Devils defeated Oregon State but lost to Oregon to move to 7-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play with a 163 RPI.

In women's hoop, Arizona State swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 14-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play with an 11 RPI.

California

California received a verbal commitment from running back James Montgomery.

In men's hoop, the Bears lost to Stanford to fall to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play with a 110 RPI.

In women's hoop, California lost to Stanford to drop to 12-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play with a 41 RPI.

UCLA

The Bruins fired defensive coordinator Larry Kerr and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy left to become the running backs coach in the NFL at Minnesota.

In men's hoop, UCLA defeated WSU but lost to Washington to move to 14-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play with a 12 RPI. Sophomore center Lorenzo Mata is out for the month of February with a broken right leg.

In women's hoop, the Bruins lost to Washington but defeated WSU to move to 10-7 overall and 5-3 in conference play with a 54 RPI.

Washington

The Huskies lost offensive lineman Cody Pope, who reneged on his verbal commitment and will go to Tennessee instead.

In men's hoop, the Huskies swept USC and UCLA to improve to 14-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play with a 37 RPI. Senior forward Bobby Jones was named as the conference's player of the week.

In women's hoop, Washington lost to USC but defeated UCLA to move to 12-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play with a 19 RPI. Senior forward Kayla Burt retired due to a heart condition.

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