Nabobs of negativism are nattering away after a couple of Pac-10 teams lost. The Pac-10 is "the pits," writes Jeff Goodman of FOX Sports. The league is "flirting with one-bid status," according to Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News.
What a bunch of Dribbly Downers! Sure, you could look at conference favorite Cal's 22-point loss to Syracuse, or UCLA's loss to Cal-State Fullerton, or Oregon State's 1-3 start and think: "The Pac-10 couldn't win an CYO tourney."
But you won't read that sort of negativity here. No, sir. Here we celebrate, the, ummm... Parity of West Coast basketball! Yeah, that's the ticket!
Consider the events of Saturday: Sacramento State, which hadn't beaten a Pac-10 opponent since the Eisenhower administration, knocked off Oregon State in Corvallis. Loyola Marymount won at the Galen Center, their first win at USC in 33 years. Portland, a dark-horse to win the West Coast Conference, beat in-state rival Oregon.
Our completely biased conclusion is as follows: The Pac-10 isn't falling, the rest of the West is rising. Parity! Huzzah! HUZZAH!
(Confidential to tournament committee: Pleeze to not take away our bidz. Sorry we suck.)
Honestly, though, the season is young; as is most of the Pac-10. The conference has lost 21 players to the NBA Draft over the past two seasons. The talent is there, it's just underdeveloped. You won't want to face these guys in March.
Dunk of the Week: Derrick Williams, Arizona
Honorable Mention: Quincy Pondexter, Washington
Insert "Shooting the Lights Out" Joke Here
One West game didn't reach a conclusion after a Flagstaff power outage prevented Northern Arizona and Pacific from finishing their non-conference contest. The score stands at 45-43 NAU, they'll try to reschedule and complete the game. NAU coach Mike Adras used the outage to gauge the refs' musical tastes, possibly for future karaoke events. "I went up to one of the officials and said to him, 'do you like Michael Jackson,' He looked at me like, 'what?' I said, well the band is playing Thriller now with the lights out and it's kind of a party."
Directional Does Damage
Talk about an ungrateful visitor. The Northern Colorado Bears have bested host schools in two tournaments this year on their way to a 5-0 record. First, on Tuesday morning, NoCo knocked off host Hawai'i in the Rainbow Classic championship game. Then on Sunday the Bears bested host Air Force in the Reggie Vinton Classic. Most of the credit goes NoCo's starting point guard, Will Figures (right). The 5'8" Figures, son of former NFL cornerback Deon, is leading the Bears in scoring (16.8 ppg) and assists. He's shooting 52%. Northern Colorado, which moved to D1 play in 2003, snuck into the mid-major poll at #25. It's the school's first ranking in any D1 poll ever. The Bears have never made the NCAA Tournament, but with Big Sky favorites Weber St. and Portland St. struggling, this could be their year.
The Thin Get Thinner
Cal coach Mike Montgomery was patching his frontcourt together already, playing wing Theo Robertson in the post at times. Now Robertson, the Bears' best three-point shooter, has a stress reaction in his foot that could keep him out several weeks. Cal already lost Jordan Wilkes, a junior who decided to quit hoops at the end of last year, and Harper Kamp, who is recovering from a knee injury. Writes Andy Katz: "No Theo Robertson or Harper Kamp means no chance for California to win the Pac-10."
Honorary Norman Dale "My Team's On the Floor" Award
After forward Kasey Cunningham suffered a knee injury against Loyola Marymount, USC coach Kevin O'Neill played the same five guys for the final 14 minutes of the game. USC lost; but the real shame is that Lil' Romeo (a.k.a. Percy Miller) probably would've gotten some run if he weren't temporarily ineligible. As for Cunningham, he tore his left ACL and his season is likely over.
NBA Legends Watch Seattle U Renaissance
Not sure how many college teams are able to say they had two of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players at their home opener. Even though they don't have a conference, and aren't yet eligible to play in the NCAA tourney, D1 transitioners Seattle University can. The Redhawks honored former SU player Elgin Baylor Thursday as fellow top 50 great Lenny Wilkens looked on from press row as FSN Northwest's color commentator. Then Seattle U capped off the night with an upset of WAC stalwarts Fresno State, on a last-second basket by point guard Cervante Burrell. Power forward Charles Garcia, who SU coach Cameron Dollar calls the best pro prospect in the state (take that Matt Bouldin!), led the Redhawks with 21 points and 11 boards. Garcia had an even bigger game on Sunday afternoon, scoring 27 points in a win over Big Sky favorites Weber St.
The Week's Best Games (times pst)
Tuesday: Gonzaga vs. Wisconsin (Maui), 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Weds.: Arizona St. vs. Duke (NYC), 6 p.m., ESPN2
Thurs.: Portland vs. UCLA (Anaheim), 8 p.m., ESPN2
Fri.: Weber St. @ BYU, 6:30 p.m., The Mtn.
Sat.: Louisville @ UNLV, 1 p.m., VERSUS
Sun: Montana @ Washington, 6 p.m., FSN Northwest
Mon: Saint Mary's @ San Jose St., 7 p.m., No TV
West in the Polls
AP: Washington #14. Also receiving votes: Gonzaga, Cal, BYU, UNLV, Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, New Mexico.
Coaches: Washington #14, Cal #23. Also receiving votes: Gonzaga, BYU, UNLV, St. Mary's, New Mexico.
Mid-Major: Gonzaga #2, Portland #9, Long Beach St. #17, Cal State Fullerton #21, St. Mary's #22, Northern Colorado #25.
The Undefeateds
Washington (Wins over Wright St., Belmont, Portland St., San Jose St.)
Arizona State (Western Illinois, Texas St., TCU, San Francisco)
Washington State (Mississippi Valley, Eastern Washington, IPFW)
Northern Colorado (McNeese St., Southern Utah, Hawaii, Texas Southern, Air Force)
New Mexico (UC Riverside, New Mexico St., Nicholls St., Louisiana Tech, Miami OH)
Brigham Young (Bradley, Idaho St., Hawaii)
UNLV (Pittsburg St., Nevada, Southern Illinois)
Portland (Eastern Washington, Seattle U, Oregon)
Pacific (Pepperdine, San Diego, Santa Clara)
UC Santa Barbara (Cal State L.A., Weber St., San Francisco)
Cal State Fullerton (Hope International, UCLA)