Oregon capped off a great season by handling Kansas State, 35-17, in the Fiesta Bowl last night. As the Register-Guard puts it, the Ducks were a lean machine in the rout of Kansas State, while Ducks fans chanted “We want Chip!” after the game. Here’s some instant analysis of Oregon-Kansas State from the one and only Ted Miller. Now Ducks fans can turn their attention to hoops, as the women’s team hosts UCLA and USC this weekend.
There were some very intriguing men’s basketball games last night, none more so than Arizona pulling off a stunning rally to stay perfect after escaping McKale with a 92-83 overtime win over Colorado. It was a game that had plenty of controversy at the end of regulation, when Colorado’s Sabatino Chen banked in a three as time expired, only to have the basket waved off after review. Check the highlights in this link for a video replay, and then read this piece from Sporting News with confirmation from both the NCAA coordinator of officials and the Pac-12 coordinator of men’s basketball officiating that correct call was made.
After the loss, Buffs head coach Tad Boyle said he wants to get rid of instant replay. I would, too, if that happened to my team. As an impartial bystander, Chen appeared to get that shot off in time, but it was very close. In either case, the women’s basketball team has a huge game on their hands tonight when the undefeated Buffs host the Stanford Cardinal in a battle of ranked teams. The Daily Camera writes that the women’s basketball Buffs are focused and not fearful heading into tonight’s contest.
Then there was the other game that went down to the wire, with USC defeating Stanford, 71-69, in its Pac-12 opener.
Cardinal fans, relive the heartache of that loss with The Bootleg’s second half blog of the loss to USC. In rosier news, what’s next for Stanford after the Rose Bowl win?
In the final game of the night, UCLA manned up in winning the Pac-12 opener over Cal by a score of 79-65. It was a game in which Shabazz Muhammad’s killer instinct was at play, as he finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Kyle Anderson had a double-double with 19 and 12.
Alright, I promised women’s basketball yesterday, so more women’s basketball links I give you. Let’s start out in the Pacific Northwest, where one of the premier women’s basketball writers in Jayda Evans previews the Huskies’ and Cougars’ women’s basketball teams as they enter Pac-12 play. To make this a Washington section (God forbid I put the two schools on the same line!), the Huskies open Pac-12 play tonight against Arizona State (more on the Sun Devils later). Also, Austin Seferian-Jenkins has decided to not play basketball again this year, choosing to focus on academics and football. He needs to rest a little bit.
Washington State women’s hoops opens up against Arizona tonight. Here are some game notes from the Washington State athletic department.
Back to the Sun Devils – Fox Sports Arizona has a one-on-one with Charli Turner Thorne you should check out (video is in the link), as the site also breaks down the women’s basketball squad. At 8-4 and winners of five straight and seven of eight, the Forks are playing some pretty good ball right now.
The Anthony Levrets Show hosts Cal in its Pac-12 opener tonight at 6:00 p.m. PT. The Utes’ women’s hoops squad is off to a 9-2 start, while Cal enters tonight with just one loss (that coming at Duke – no shame there).
Scott Rueck and Co. get things kicked off in conference with a 7:00 p.m. PT tip tonight against USC. But hey, women’s hoops isn’t the only thing going down in Corvallis, as the Beavers’ gymnastics team has a potent and improved lineup for 2013.
Another gymnastics link to round up the roundup, as Cal begins its season Sunday, thus ringing in the Justin Howell era. Auburn, Arizona and Kentucky come to Haas at 2:00 p.m. PT this Sunday afternoon.
I’ll be off the roundup next week – see you on the 14th!