With dead week and finals approaching for many Pac-12 schools, there was only one game on last night’s ledger in all Pac-12 sports: Arizona men’s basketball overcame 27 turnovers to defeat Southern Mississippi, 63-55. Those turnovers aren’t a good number for sure, but it’s a win against a quality team that made the NCAA Tournament last year. Regardless, the Golden Eagles did blueprint the Wildcats’ weaknesses.
Oh wait – that wasn’t the only game. UCLA overpowered Cal State San Marcos in an exhibition, 83-60. Shabazz Muhammad led the way with 19 points in a contest that was rescheduled so UCLA could open up Pauley Pavilion against Indiana State for the regular season opener.
From 6-25 to 5-2, Utah men’s basketball is making strong strides forward. They’ll get a tough test tonight against a Boise State team that nearly beat Michigan State and did beat Creighton, both of which were on the road.
Colorado has a big game tonight against Colorado State in men’s hoops, and the Buffs are motivated by the Rams fans rushing the court after Colorado State beat Colorado last year in Fort Collins. Gotta love Spencer Dinwiddie calling Colorado State “little brother,” even if the two are very comparable on the hardwood.
When DaVonte Lacy went out with an injury, the Washington State Cougars looked to be very thin in the backcourt. Luckily, Dexter Kernich-Drew has been the surprise of the year.
Enough of this burrito nonsense – California Golden Blogs actually has a serious question for you: What puppy would you like to see as Cal head coach? Finally, something more logical from these guys. However, I’d much prefer a cute little kitty cat to take over at Cal because, as we all know, a cat is much more likely than a dog to take your school to a BCS game. [Editor's note: There's actually no science behind this, and you're all full of nonsense.]
In other coaching news, Butch Jones is torn between staying at Cincinnati or leaving for Colorado.
With four straight BCS bowl appearances, the Oregon Ducks are in elite company, joining The U, USC and THE Ohio State University as the only four schools that have gone to four straight BCS bowls.
Stanford has now made it to three BCS bowls in a row, and the school has sold out its allotment of 31,000 tickets for the Rose Bowl. That didn’t take long. The Stanford athletic department is trying to get its hands on more, so there’s still some hope if you were asleep at the switch.
Got a problem with Todd Graham ranking his team 20th in the coaches’ poll? Deal with it! What can I say? Todd Graham likes his Sun Devils.
Well it’s not the Heisman, but it’s something: Matt Barkley has won the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given to the college football player who best combines community service and academic prowess with on-field performance.
Take your pick – Kasen Williams’ TD catch-and-run that beat Stanford, Bishop Sankey’s 61-yard TD run on fourth down to cut the Stanford lead to three, Austin Seferian-Jenkins’ 29-yard TD reception on third and goal at Cal, Sean Parker’s hit and Justin Glenn’s subsequent interception vs. Oregon State or Kevin Smith’s hustle play vs. Colorado – what was the play of the year for Washington football? Here’s my choice, and it has nothing to do with me being (unofficially) the first one to post anything about this play, because I don’t toot my own horn like that. [Editor's note: Yes, you do.]
In women’s gymnastics news, Oregon State has been picked ninth in the preseason coaches’ poll after finishing 12th at the 2012 NCAAs last year.