Pac-Tending 03-29-06

"College is all about the team."

- Stanford gymnast Tabitha Yim, who won the all-around championship at the recent Pac-10 gymnastics championships.

March Madness is beginning to wind down at the Creek but other championships are filling the void as the conference held their gymnastics championships last week and Stanford won for the fourth time in school history. The conference's All-Academic team for men's hoop was announced this week.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, the Director's Cup was updated and six conference teams were in the Top 20 – led by 11-time champion Stanford at the second spot, just under nine points shy of Notre Dame.

UCLA

In men's hoop, the Bruins defeated Gonzaga and Memphis to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament with a 31-6 record on the year.

Washington

Defensive backs Clarence Simpson and Josh Okoebor will not be participating in spring practice. Simpson is not on the roster and Okoebor is out with a knee injury.

In men's hoop, the Huskies lost to Connecticut at the NCAA Tournament to finish at 26-7 for the season.

WSU

Defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua, offensive lineman Kenny Alfred and tight end Cody Boyd will miss spring practice while recuperating from injuries.

In baseball, Wazzu took the season series from Stanford, beating the Cardinal for the first time in 28 years, to improve to 2-1 in conference play and 20-7 overall with an 80 RPI. Senior outfielder Jay Miller was named as the conference's player of the week.

In tennis, the 74th-ranked Cougars defeated Montana State and Lewis-Clark State but narrowly lost to rival Washington in a non-conference match to move to 11-9 on the year.

USC

Quarterback heir-apparent John David Booty injured his back and will sit out much of spring practice.

Arizona State

In men's hoop, sophomore Craig Austin has left the team.

Oregon

Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Aaron Klovas and defensive lineman Brian Truelove will transfer. Truelove has indicated he will transfer to Portland State.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, Oregon State senior Lamar Hurd was named to the conference's All-Academic first team.

Arizona

Arizona will not have offensive lineman Dillon Hansen and Sheldon Watts along with defensive lineman Byron Smith available for spring due to injuries.

In women's hoop, Wildcat guard recruit Marie McGee, was stabbed by her sister and hospitalized this week with the expectation she will recover.

Stanford

Offensive line coach John McDonell left Stanford to coach at Purdue and was replaced by Northern Michigan head coach Doug Sams.

In women's hoop, the Cardinal defeated Oklahoma but lost to LSU in the NCAA Tournament to finish at 26-8 for the year.

California

In men's hoop, Leon Powe was named as a second-team AP All-American.

+++++++sponsored by Clark's Restaurant+++++++++

Attention COUGAR Fans! Spring is here, plants are growing and so is your appetite! How can you afford to go one day further without some tasty morsels from Clark's Restaurant in Grays Harbor – home of the Best Hamburger in Twin Harbors for seven consecutive years. Come in for the burger, fresh homemade fries and milkshakes concocted from homemade ice cream. Go ahead, we dare you to try and pass up more than 12 varieties of hamburgers to choose from, full dinners, lunch and full breakfast served daily. Clark's Restaurant 360.538.1487. Seven miles south of Aberdeen, Washington on Highway 101. Proud supporter of CougZone. Mention this ad for a free small ice cream.