Pac-Tending 01-25-06

"Part of our problem is that we have schools playing low majors or mid-majors on the road. I have no idea why Oregon State did that. I don't understand why Stanford would play at Montana, at UC-Davis. I'm against that for our conference schools."

- UCLA head men's hoop coach Ben Howland, citing scheduling philosophies costing the conference prestige points with RPI time right around the corner.

It is time to allocate conference predictions for baseball and softball at the Creek and UCLA came out on top with the softball coaches while baseball coaches selected Oregon State.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, federal graduation rates were released last week and show that most student-athletes graduation rates are higher [62%] than those of the general student rates [60%].

This week, the NCAA announced that they would, for the first time, release their official Ratings Percentage Index [RPI] numbers next week and do so weekly until the end of the season. The RPI is the main factor used to determine men's and women's basketball tournament participants.

UCLA

The Bruins promoted receivers coach Dino Babers to running backs coach and recruiting coordinator and hired Central Florida assistant D.J. McCarthy to coach receivers.

In men's hoop, UCLA defeated USC but lost to 15-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play with a 17 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bruins lost to USC to drop to 10-8 overall and 5-4 in conference play with a 60 RPI.

California

In men's hoop, California defeated Arizona State but lost to Arizona to move to 10-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play with a 92 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bears defeated Arizona State but lost to Arizona to move to 13-6 overall and 5-4 in conference play with a 51 RPI.

Junior swimmer Erin Reilly and freshman diver Sam Helvie were named as the conference's swimmer and diver of the month, respectively.

WSU

Wazzu received verbal commitments from safety Brandon Thomas, defensive lineman Toby Turpin, running back Chris Ivory, JC defensive back Brian Williams and JC running back Derrell Hutsona.

In men's hoop, WSU was swept by Oregon and Oregon State to fall to 9-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play with a 104 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Cougars were swept by Oregon and Oregon State to drop to 6-12 overall and 0-9 in conference play with a 174 RPI.

Purdue assistant Erin Otagaki has joined the soccer staff to replace interim assistant Kiki Lara.

Oregon

Oregon received verbal commitments from defensive lineman Dexter Manley II and offensive lineman Bo Thran. Linebacker recruit Jurray Casey was charged with murder in Long Beach, California.

In men's hoop, the Ducks defeated WSU but lost to Washington to move to 10-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play with a 137 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon swept WSU and Washington to improve to 12-6 overall and 3-5 in conference play with a 91 RPI.

USC

The Trojans received a verbal commitment from running back C.J. Gable.

In men's hoop, USC lost to UCLA to fall to 12-6 overall and 3-4 in conference play with a 122 RPI. Freshman guard Terence Green from Irvine Valley College was invited to join the team as a walk-on.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy defeated UCLA to improve to 13-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play with a 33 RPI. Sophomore guard Camille LeNoir was named as the conference's player of the week

Oregon State

The Beavers received a verbal commitment from receiver Gabe Miller.

In men's hoop, the Beavers lost to Washington but defeated WSU to move to 10-8 overall and 3-4 in conference play with a 129 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon State lost to Washington but defeated WSU to move to 8-8 overall and 2-6 in conference play with a 114 RPI.

Arizona State

The Sun Devils received a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Martin Tevaseu.

In men's hoop, the Sun Devils were swept by California and Stanford to drop to 7-10 overall and 1-7 in conference play with a 196 RPI.

In women's hoop, Arizona State was swept by California and Stanford to drop to 14-5 overall and 5-4 in conference play with a 21 RPI.

Stanford

The Cardinal received verbal commitments from running back Toby Gerhart and linebacker Sam Weinberger.

In men's hoop, the Cardinal defeated Arizona State but lost to Arizona to move to 8-7 overall and 4-3 in conference play with a 127 RPI. Senior Matt Haryasz was named as the conference's player of the week.

In women's hoop, the Cardinal swept Arizona State and Arizona to improve to 13-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play with a 25 RPI.

Arizona

The Wildcats received verbal commitments from defensive linemen Conan Amituanai, Lolomana Mikaele and Braylon Broughton.

In men's hoop, Arizona swept California and Stanford to improve to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play with a 16 RPI. Senior guard Chris Rodgers was dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons but may be able to rejoin the team at some point in the future. Sophomore guard Jawann McClellan is out for the season with a hand injury.

In women's hoop, the Wildcats defeated California but lost to Stanford to move to 7-12 overall and 3-6 in conference play with a 121 RPI.

Washington

In men's hoop, the Huskies swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 16-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play with a 34 RPI.

In women's hoop, Washington lost to Oregon but defeated Oregon State to move to 13-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play with a 35 RPI.

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