Pac-Tending 11-16-05

"The only thing you can say is that our national champion the last two years has come from this conference."

- UCLA head football coach Karl Dorrell, defending the Pac-10 against the Big 12 and SEC.

It is NCAA time at the Creek as five conference teams made it into the women's soccer tournament last week [and three survived into the quarterfinals] while three men's teams [UCLA, California and San Diego State] received bids this week. Also, the all-conference team for women's soccer was announced.

Meanwhile, at NCAA HQ, Arizona State was placed on two years probation for lack of institutional control in its football program, stemming from an incident last year involving former running back Loren Wade.

Several rule changes were made for men's and women's basketball for the 2005-06 season. The kicked-ball violation will now result in a shot clock reset of 15 seconds [if the violation occurs with 15 or fewer seconds left on the shot clock] or will not be reset [if the violation occurs when the shot clock is over 15 seconds]. The amount of time to replace a player who has fouled out will be reduced from 30 seconds to 20 seconds in an effort to keep coaches from using that break as an extra time-out. Officials may now use courtside television monitors to assess whether time should be put back on the game clock in certain circumstances.

Arizona

The Wildcats lost to Washington, 38-14, to drop to 3-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Freshman receiver Mike Thomas is out for the season with a broken hand.

In women's soccer, Arizona defeated Weber State and Utah in the NCAA tournament to advance to the quarterfinals against Portland. Senior midfielder Mallory Miller was named as the conference's Player of the Year.

WSU

The Cougars lot to Oregon to drop to 3-7 overall and 0-7 in conference play. Senior tight end Troy Bienemann was lost for the season with a knee injury.

In volleyball, the Cougars were swept by USC and UCLA to fall to 8-20 overall and 1-14 in conference play.

In women's hoop, WSU defeated Lewis-Clark State, 64-57 in their final exhibition game.

In men's hoop, the Cougars defeated Lewis-Clark State, 66-36 in their exhibition opener.

Oregon State

The Beavers lost to Stanford to fall to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Quarterback Matt Moore is out for the season with a knee injury.

Arizona State

The Sun Devils lost, 45-35, to UCLA to fall to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

In men's hoop, point guard Antwi Atuahene is out for two weeks with a broken nose.

California

The Bears lost to USC, 35-10, to drop to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

In women's soccer, the Bears defeated Rice and UTEP in the NCAA tournament to advance to the quarterfinals against Florida State. Head coach Kevin Boyd was named as the conference's Coach of the Year.

In men's hoop, forward Leon Powe suffered a stress reaction in his right foot and is expected to miss the season opener.

Oregon

The 10th-ranked Ducks defeated WSU, 34-31, to improve to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play. Kicker Paul Martinez was named as the conference's special teams player of the week.

USC

The top-ranked Trojans defeated California, 35-10, to remain undefeated at 10-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play.

In women's soccer, USC defeated Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA tournament but lost to Cal State-Fullerton in the second round. Forward Amy Rodriguez was named as the conference's Freshman of the Year.

Washington

The Huskies defeated Arizona, 38-14, to improve to 2-8 overall and 1-6 in conference play. Linebacker Evan Benjamin was named as the conference's defensive player of the week.

UCLA

The 12th-ranked Bruins defeated Arizona State, 45-35, to improve to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play. Quarterback Drew Olson was named as the conference's offensive player of the week.

In women's soccer, UCLA defeated Mississippi Valley State and Colorado in the NCAA tournament to advance to the quarterfinals against Marquette.

In volleyball, freshman setter Nellie Spicer was named as the conference's player of the week.

Stanford

The Cardinal defeated Oregon State, 20-17, to move to 5-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

In women's soccer, Stanford lost to Saint Louis in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

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