Pac-Tending 04-18-07

"I don't think that's what the committee really intended. That's a rule the committee regretted making."

- NCAA spokesman Ty Halpin, commenting after the NCAA changed a rule in football that had started the clock on kickoffs after some teams last season had intentionally ran offsides to run time off the clock.

The Creek is still moving along as three Pac-10 teams – Stanford, UCLA and Oregon State – advanced to the NCAA Championships in gymnastics.

Meanwhile, there was some lively action at NCAA HQ, where an oversight panel changed two timing rules in football back to the way they were before – stopping the clock on possession changes and not starting the clock on kickoffs until the receiving team touches the ball. In addition, the kickoff line was moved back five yards to the 30-yard line, the play clock will be reduced to 15 seconds following a media timeout in televised games and charged team timeouts will be reduced to 30 seconds plus the 25 second play clock in televised games only [although conference or institutional media agreements will be allowed to supersede this policy].

In women's hoop, volleyball and soccer, the survey of the usage of male practice players was completed and found to have little effect on the playing time or granting of financial aid to female athletes.

Finally, the Division I Management Council approved a measure that will ban the use of text-messaging in recruiting that will be voted on by the Board of Directors next week.

UCLA

The Bruins received a verbal commitment from linebacker Mike Schmitt.

In men's hoop, Oregon assistant coach Scott Duncan joined the Bruins' staff.

Arizona State

Fifth-year senior defensive back Chad Green was in critical condition after being involved in an automobile accident earlier this week.

WSU

In men's hoop, sophomore guards Mac Hopson and Chris Matthews have both elected to transfer.

In tennis, Wazzu defeated UC-Santa Barbara to improve to 14-10 on the year – clinching their second consecutive winning season – and remained in the national rankings at #45.

In baseball, the Cougars were swept by ASU but defeated Gonzaga to stay at .500 for the year at 17-17 overall.

Oregon State

In men's hoop, center Liam Hughes, forwards Sasa Cuic and Marcel Jones and guards Wesley Washington, Angelo Tsagarakis and Vojin Svilar have all left the team. Cuic, Jones and Washington are all intending to turn pro while the others intend to transfer. The Beavers received signed letters of intent from guards Mike Stovall and Ricky Claitt.

Washington

The Huskies received a verbal commitment from offensive lineman Drew Schaefer.

In men's hoop, freshman Phil Nelson transferred to Portland State and guard Venoy Overton signed his letter of intent.

California

In men's gymnastics, junior Tim McNeill won NCAA national titles in the pommel horse and parallel bars competition at the NCAA Championships last week.

USC

In men's hoop, junior guard Nick Young declared himself eligible for the NBA draft and point guard recruit Brandon Jennings rescinded his verbal commitment to the Trojans to reconsider Connecticut and Arizona.

Arizona

In baseball, sophomore pitcher Preston Guilmet was named as the Collegiate Baseball national player of the week.

Oregon

In men's hoop, head coach Ernie Kent signed a contract extension through the 2011-12 season.

Stanford

Michigan quarterback Jason Forcier is reported to be in the process of transferring to Stanford.

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