Pac-Tending 02-09-06

"There were some losses by conference teams early on that have hurt and those games are not forgotten by the NCAA basketball committee."

- Arizona head men's hoop coach Lute Olson, speaking about the possibility that the conference may not be looked upon favorably come NCAA Selection Sunday.

It was a good week at the Creek as 10 teams in men's and women's hoop – four in men and six in women – have achieved the necessary RPI levels to be considered for the NCAA tournament, according to the recent release of the official RPI.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the Football Rules Committee meets this week and is expected to endorse usage of the video replay system for all 11 Division I-A football conferences in the 2006 season.

Arizona

In men's hoop, Arizona was swept by USC and UCLA to drop to 13-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play with a 18 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Wildcats were also swept by USC and UCLA to drop to 7-16 overall and 3-10 in conference play with a 156 RPI. Assistant coach Lisa Griffith is on leave for personal reasons. Guard Malia O'Neal will sit out this week's games after suffering a concussion.

Tennis player Roger Matalonga was named as the conference's player of the week.

Stanford

Quarterback Trent Edwards may miss spring practice due to a right shoulder injury that has not yet properly healed. Assistant coaches Tom Hayes and Wayne Moses will be leaving to coach in the NFL.

In men's hoop, the Cardinal swept Oregon State and Oregon to improve to 12-7 overall and 8-3 in conference play with a 77 RPI. Stanford received a verbal commitment from 6-5 guard Landry Fields. Senior guard Chris Hernandez was named as the conference's player of the week

In women's hoop, Stanford swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 16-5 overall and 11-2 in conference play with a 14 RPI.

Arizona State

San Jose State assistant Al Simmons and Van Malone, from North Texas, were hired as defensive secondary coaches. The Sun Devils rescheduled a series with LSU for games in 2015 in Baton Rouge and 2016 in Tempe.

In men's hoop, the Sun Devils lost to UCLA but defeated USC to move to 8-12 overall and 2-9 in conference play with a 155 RPI.

In women's hoop, Arizona State swept USC and UCLA to improve to 18-5 overall and 9-4 in conference play with an 11 RPI. Junior Emily Westerberg was named as the conference's player of the week.

WSU

In men's hoop, the Cougars defeated rival Washington to improve to 10-9 overall and 3-7 in conference play with a 91 RPI.

In women's hoop, Wazzu lost to Washington to fall to 7-14 overall and 1-11 in conference play with a 181 RPI.

UCLA

Offensive coordinator Tom Cable left to coach in the NFL and quarterback coach Jim Svoboda was promoted to offensive coordinator. Oakland Raiders offensive line coach Jim Colletto was hired as offensive line coach for the Bruins.

In men's hoop, UCLA swept Arizona and Arizona State to improve to 19-4 overall and 9-2 in conference play with an 11 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bruins beat Arizona but lost to Arizona State to move to 13-9 overall and 8-5 in conference play with a 41 RPI.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, the Beavers were swept by California and Stanford to drop to 10-12 overall and 3-8 in conference play with a 172 RPI. Guard Jason Fontenet has been temporarily suspended from the team for undisclosed disciplinary reasons.

In women's hoop, Oregon State defeated California but lost to Stanford to move to 10-10 overall and 4-8 in conference play with a 103 RPI.

Washington

In men's hoop, the Huskies lost to rival Wazzu to drop to 16-5 overall and 5-5 in conference play with a 54 RPI.

In women's hoop, Washington defeated rival WSU to improve to 15-6 overall and 8-4 in conference play with a 47 RPI.

California

The Bears lost offensive coordinator George Cortez to the NFL and replaced him with Northwestern offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar. Offensive lineman Andrew Cameron has quit football for medical reasons.

In men's hoop, California swept Oregon and Oregon State to improve to 14-6 overall and 8-3 in conference play with a 53 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bears lost to Oregon State but defeated Oregon to move to 15-8 overall and 7-6 in conference play with a 63 RPI.

USC

Defensive secondary coach Greg Burns and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin left for the NFL while former Idaho head coach Nick Holt was hired as the defensive coordinator.

In men's hoop, the Trojans lost to Arizona State but defeated Arizona to move to 15-7 overall and 6-5 in conference play with a 102 RPI. Sophomore guard Gabriel Pruitt is out for the season with a knee injury.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy also lost to Arizona State but defeated Arizona to move to 14-8 overall and 8-5 in conference play with a 52 RPI.

Oregon

The Ducks hired Wazzu assistant Robin Pflugrad as their new receivers coach.

In men's hoop, Oregon was swept by California and Stanford to drop to 10-13 overall and 4-7 in conference play with a 182 RPI. Sophomore guard Bryce Taylor is out this week with a knee injury.

In women's hoop, the Ducks were swept by California and Stanford to drop to 13-9 overall and 4-8 in conference play with a 97 RPI.

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