Pac-Tending 12-13-06

"I didn't feel too good about committing to Arizona is the fact of the matter."

- JC defensive lineman Will Tukuafu, who de-committed from Arizona and committed to Oregon instead.

The Creek was slowly trickling down in activity last week as the holiday season approaches and the NCAA volleyball tournament was also winding down to their Final Four – which contained three Pac-10 teams – Stanford, UCLA and Washington.

and teams competed in both NCAA soccer and volleyball tournaments and preliminary Director's Cup standings were released showing Stanford not on top but near their usual perch, in second place. The Cardinal led a strong showing of eight Pac-10 schools in the top 55.

Meanwhile at NCAA HQ, the committee on women's athletics is recommending the elimination of the use of male practice players throughout the NCAA [currently only Division III has a legislative proposal on the topic] – a practice most commonly used in women's basketball.

Arizona State

Arizona State hired Idaho head coach Dennis Erickson as their new head coach in football.

In women's hoop, the Sun Devils beat Gonzaga to improve to 8-1 overall with a 12 RPI.

Arizona

The Wildcats lost two football commitments and gained one as defensive back Mario Goins and defensive lineman Will Tukuafu both reneged while JC defensive back Marquis Hundley verbally committed. Texas Tech's co-offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes became Arizona's offensive coordinator.

In men's hoop, Arizona beat San Diego State to improve to 7-1 overall with a 1 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Wildcats beat Long Beach State but lost to Utah to move to 6-5 overall with a 37 RPI. Forward Rheya Neabors will be out for a week with a stress reaction in her foot.

USC

The Trojans received a verbal commitment from linebacker Jordan Campbell.

In men's hoop, USC defeated George Washington to improve to 6-2 overall with a 78 RPI. Sophomore forward Jeremy Barr will transfer to Nebraska.

In women's hoop, the Women of Troy beat Hawai'i to improve to 4-4 overall with a 71 RPI.

In volleyball, USC lost to Hawai'i in the third round of the NCAA tournament.

In women's soccer, USC did not renew the contract of 11-year head coach Jim Millinder.

WSU

In men's hoop, Wazzu defeated Gonzaga and Idaho to improve to 9-1 overall with a 69 RPI. Redshirt sophomore forward Daven Harmeling was named as the conference's player of the week.

In women's hoop, the Cougars lost to Montana to drop to 3-6 overall with a 260 RPI.

In women's soccer, freshman Carly Dobratz was named to the All-West Region third team by Soccer Buzz Magazine.

Washington

Washington received verbal commitments from running backs Curtis Shaw and Brandon Johnson, receiver Anthony Boyles, offensive lineman Skyler Fancher and kicker Jared Ballman.

In men's hoop, the Huskies lost to Gonzaga to drop to 7-1 overall with a 61 RPI.

In women's hoop, Washington beat Texas A&M and Nevada to improve to 5-4 overall with a 64 RPI. Freshman guard Sami Whitcomb will be out for three weeks with a broken hand

In volleyball, Washington defeated Ohio State and Penn State and will play fellow Pac-10 conference member Stanford in the semifinal of the NCAA tourney.

Stanford

In volleyball, Stanford beat fellow Pac-10 conference rival, California and regional host Texas to advance to the NCAA semifinal, where they will take on another Pac-10 conference member, Washington.

Oregon

Oregon received a verbal commitment from defensive lineman Will Tukuafu.

In men's hoop, the Ducks beat Nebraska and Bethune-Cookman to improve to 8-0 overall with an 18 RPI.

In women's hoop, Oregon beat Colorado to improve to 6-1 overall with a 46 RPI.

Oregon State

The Beavers lost sophomore offensive lineman Jeremy Perry for the Sun Bowl game against Missouri with a knee sprain.

In men's hoop, the Beavers defeated Bethune-Cookman and Western Oregon to improve to 6-4 overall with a 257 RPI.

California

In men's hoop, California beat Chicago State but lost to San Diego to move to 7-3 overall with a 55 RPI.

In women's hoop, the Bears defeated Fresno and Kansas to improve to 8-1 overall with a 20 RPI. Sophomore forward Ashley Walker was named as the conference's player of the week.

UCLA

In men's hoop, the Bruins beat Texas A&M to remain undefeated at 8-0 overall with a 2 RPI.

In women's hoop, UCLA beat Delaware State but lost to New Mexico to move to 6-5 overall with a 106 RPI.

In volleyball, UCLA beat Oklahoma and Hawai'i and will play Nebraska in the semifinal of the NCAA tournament.

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