Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

PRE-SEASON TOP-25

#1 Maryland (95)
Entire starting 5 returns including has 3 Seniors.

#2 Duke (96)
3 Seniors in the starting lineup from a team that made the Final 4 including 2 1st team Pre-season AA’s, plus a talented FR in CC Johnson (83)

#3 Vanderbilt (91)
4 SR’s in the starting lineup and 6 on the roster, can the Commadores repeat their perfect non-conference record of 14 wins again this year?

#4 Indiana (92)
The trend continues with 4 SR’s in the starting lineup and 6 on the roster. Like Duke they were a Final 4 team last season.

#5 W. Virginia (90)
5 Senior starters and 6 on the roster gives Coach Frizzell a chance to repeat as Big East Champs and secure the #1 seed for the 2nd straight year but with 4 Freshman also on the roster that was a Top-25 gives him hope for the future as well.

#6 Boston College (91)
I feel like I am on repeat. 4 SR’s starters, 7 on the roster but this makes 3 ACC teams in the Top-6 and none are named North Carolina.

#7 Georgetown (92)
The Hoyas break the trend with 3 JR’s in the starting linup.

#8 Cincinnati (91)
Big East looks tough with their 3rd team in the Top-10, Bearkats have 3 SR’s starting and 6 on the roster.

#9 UCLA (92)
The Bruins will look to put a stop to USC winning the Pac-10 with a balanced roster of 3 SR starters led by SG D. Wiedmann (91), 4 JR’s, 5 SO’s and just 1 FR

#10 Nortre Dame (91)
The Irish make it 4 teams from the Big East in the Top-10 and continue the trend of upperclassman leading the way with 3 SR’s starters.

#11 Texas (92)
The first team with some underclassman in the starting lineup as they start SO SG I. Tobias (82) and Center F. Granger (81)

#12 Washington (92)
Led by 2-time Pac-10 POY C. Sammuels (88), now in his SR year, the Huskies add talented FR SG D. Thomson (81) to the starting lineup, plus Pre-Season All-American J. Williams (86)

#13 Wisconsin (89)
The Badgers could be like GU and be 1 year away from being a Top-5 team with 3 JR’s in the starting lineup and with 4 Freshman (#11 Class) including SF K. Asseo (79) already starting they could be a Top-25 for awhile.

#14 UTEP (87)
The first Top-25 shocker. The Miners roster looks very much like that of last year’s champs (Cal). They have 5 senior starters and 7 on the roster joined by 3 JR’s, making this a team ready to go far come tourney time.

#15 Louisville (90)
The Cardinals are young but good with Soph’s G. DeJesus (80) and C. Cain (76) joined in the starting lineup by Freshman C E. Burrell (78)

#16 NC State (90)
A balanced roster with 4 SR’s (2 start) 4 JR’s (2 start) and 5 Freshman (1 starts) that was ranked as the #8 incoming class.

#17 Florida (88)
The Gators were bounced by #11 Portland in the 1st Round of the NCAA last season.

#18 Minnesota (86)
The Gophers have quietly built a Top-25 program, but with 3 seniors in the starting lineup and 5 on the roster this could be a 1 and done.

#19 USC (93)
Despite returning 3 starters from the team that finished #1 in the country last season, USC finds it’s being overlooked at #18. SR SF H Logie (89) was a Pre-season 1st team AA and SR PG D. Hodges (88) and SO SG D. Turek (87) were both named to the Pre-season 2nd team AA.

#20 Iowa State (90)
Continuing the trend, the Cyclones have 6 seniors on the roster including 4 starters who all started last season as well but the future is bright as well with the #7 Overall class coming in.

#21 Florida State (90)
6 seniors (2 start) plus a very talented backcourt of JR’s in A. Bro (85) and S. Butch (82).

#22 Clemson
The Tigers have 5 juniors on the roster including 3 starters so look for them to maybe crack the Top-10 next season.

#23 Ohio State (88)
6 seniors (3 starters) along with JR Center J. Anthony (85) and JR PG K. Siebrandt (81) make this a very talented starting 5, question is how deep is their bench?

#24 Providence (89)
The losers of the National Title game return 3 starters including SR PF E. Porter (86) and SO K. Morales (82). I expect them to once again be a Top-10 team by mid-season.

#25 Seton Hall (89)
The 7th team from the Big East to make the Top-25 pre-season rankings. Like everyone else the Pirates have 6 seniors (3 starters) but also have 4 incoming freshman that was ranked in the Top-25

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Coming into the 2014-2015 season, it appears that 1st Place in the Pac-10 could be a 3 horse race.

USC (93) will look to make it 4 in a row and 5 in the past 6 years, led by 1st Team Pre-Season All-American SR SF H. Logie (89) "Best Defender", as well as 2nd team Pre-Season All-American's SR PG D. Hodges (88) and SO SG D. Turek (87)

UCLA (92), starts the year ranked higher in the Top-25 and for good reason. The Bruins return the "Best Overall" player in the Pac-10 in SR PG/SG D. Wiedemann (91). Wiedemann averaged 16.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 2.0 SPG last season well hitting 41% from 3pt (65/156), But Wiedemann isn't a 1 man show as UCLA returns 3 more starters from a 20+ win team last year.

Washington (92) is the one to watch for. The Huskies have 2-time Pac-10 POY SR PG C. Sammuels (88) "Best Pro Prospect" who has averaged over 18 PPG in his career, plus 2nd Team Pre-Season All-American 6'9 JR PF J. Ross-Williams (86) in the post. Add in 7'0 Center G. Alford (81) FR SG D. Thomson (81) and SR SF M. Diidlake (85) and you got a starting 5 that can matchup with any team in the country. Plus they have SO SG S. Harris (80) is considered “The Best Shooter”. He has a 90 3pt rating and hit 27/65 (41%) last season averaging 4.7 PPG, starting 10 of 27 games played. He is a former 5* AA Mr BB from Oregon.

After the Top-3, it's going to be a battle for 4-8, as Oregon (89), Arizona State (89), Stanford (88) Arizona (88), Oregon State (87) all have some of the best players in the conference.

OSU's FR 5* All-American SG A. Gerlach (81) is considered the conference's "Best Freshman" and make it 3 in a row for the Beavers having the Pac-10 FOY.

Oregon could be this year's Cal Bears. The Ducks have 7 Juniors on the roster including 4 starters, and it's pretty clear none of them want to head back to the NIT this season.

Expected to finish near the bottom of the conference is WSU (85) and the Defending National Champion's Cal (81)


Well Cal might be the lowest ranked team in the conference they still have some talent in the starting lineup including SR PG/SG H Wyatt (88). He is considered the "Best Playmaker" and is considered a Lottery selection in next year's NBA draft.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS FALL IN SEMI-FINALS!!

The Oregon State Beavers started the 2014-2015 season winning the O' Reilly Auto Part D Division with a season opener win over Butler (60-45) and then a (91-61) win over Coastal Carolina to move to the Semi Finals against (4-0) Georgia Tech.

In the opener, SR SF C. Gillingham led the way with 20 pts hitting 4/8 from 3pt.

In Game 2, it was E. Taft taking charge from the bench as he finished with a game high 18 pts connecting on 4/8 from downtown. Gillingham added a double double with 14 pts and 10 reb, well Fresh E. Laws also added 10 boards well scoring 7 pts.

JR PG R. Spears also had a solid game with 16 pts 5 reb and 5 assists.

In the Semi-Finals againts the Yellowjackets, things got ugly!!

OSU was tailing by 8 with less then a minute to play but a 5 point play by Freshman C. Popoola (3pt made then stole the inbound pass and dunked it) left the Beavers down just (33-30), but 14 turnovers in the 2nd half and a 5/17 performance from beyond the arc, led the almost 20 point loss.

FINAL SCORE G.T.-80 OSU-56

Popoola finished with a team high 12 pts (3/4 3pt) but managed just 3pts in the 2nd half. E. Tafted added 10 points in the loss but was just 2/8 from 3pt.


In the Consolation Game vs (2-1) Michigan State, OSU would manage to take a (35-25) 1st half lead, but the Spartans were not ready to give up and made a game of it in the 2nd half including taking the lead with less then 2 minutes to play, but in the end it was Oregon State coming out on top (76-74) as R. Spears seals the win from the F.T. line.

Spears finished with 14 pts 5 reb and 9 assists, well E. Taft added 17 pts hitting 2/2 from 3pt and S. Chavez added 11 pts, hitting 4/5 FT.

NEXT UP (3-1) OSU RETURNS HOME FOR A 4-GAME HOMESTAND. FIRST UP (3-2) NORTHERN COLORADO

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS GO 4-0 AT HOME!!

(3-1) Oregon State returned home from the O'Reilly Auto Parts Classic to face off against Coach Deuce's former team (3-2) Northern Colorado in Game 1 of the 4 game homestand.

The Bears came into the came having just beaten Arizona (82-52) on the road under new HC B. Minnieweather (former coach K. Wright left for Xavier). The game was a battle from start to finish.

OSU led at the half (38-34), but UNC was ready to give up and with a bucket at the buzzer forced Overtime.. Despite having 2 starters fouled out of the game, N. Colorado still wouldn't give up in O.T. and with 12 seconds to play former (4* Mr BB CO) SR PF H. Schafer gives the Bears the 2 point lead. (82-80).

After moving the ball to half court, Coach Deuce called the timeout and drew up the play. Rather then try to win in it with "3", Deuce decided to try and force a 2nd O.T., Spears took the inbound pass and drove the lane and dished the ball to Conroy. Conroy took the pass and went up strong hitting the bucket and drawing the and 1. There would be no 2nd O.T. as Conroy nails the F.T. for the win.. FINAL SCORE OSU-83 UNC-82

5 Beavers finished with double digits led by 5* FR A. Gerlach's season high 16 pts (4/7 3pt). Gerlach also added 7 rebounds and 8 assists as he was named POG.

Conroy finished with 15 pts and 7 boards, Spears had 13 pts 5 assist and Gillingham finished with this 3rd double double of the year (10 pts 10 reb), well E. Taft added 10 pts 6 rebs off the bench.

For UNC, JR SG J. Vignale finished with 16 pts 7 reb 4 ast (3/5 3pt) well JR PG O. Hopkins added 14 pts and 8 assists.

SR H. Schafer the only player left on the roster to actually have played for Coach Deuce, finished with 14 pts. For the season Shafer is averaging 17.4 PPG and appears to be a challenger for the Big Sky POY.

Coach Deuce

"I am glad to see the Bears still playing good basketball. Despite never having coached 4 of their 5 starters, I did have a hand on that Junior class having recruited them before leaving. I knew they were talented. I just hope Coach Minniweather can keep the tradition going in Greeley and just maybe we will see UNC in the Field of 64"

Games 2 and 3 were blowouts, as the Beavers hosted Portland (95-69) and Portland State (88-64)


It was a team effort vs the Pilots as 6 players hit double digits. R. Spears (14 pts) led the starting unit. (Ray 13 pts, Gerlach-12 pts, Gillingham-12 pts) well Taft matched him for game high with 14 pts off the bench. S. Chavez also added 11 pts off the bench.

Against the Vikings, 7'0 Wallace Ray took over as he scored a season high 23 points falling just 2 shy of matching his career best. C. Gillingham added 13 pts and Spears had 11 pts 6 reb 4 assists for the starting unit, well E. Taft continues to thrive in his 6th man role adding 13 pts (2/4 3pt) off the bench, well FR PF E. Laws chipped in with 11.


Game 4 would feature a visit from (7-1) UNLV. The Rebels came in having won 6 straight since losing on the road to Gonzaga (80-62) with wins over Marquette, Nevada and Portland State.

But behind 16 1st half points from E. Taft, OSU would take a (47-32) lead and never look back as the 15 point lead holds up in the (80-65) victory.

Taft continued to play well in the 2nd half as he finished with a season/career high 24 pts (8/14 FG 3/6 3PT). W. Ray added 16 pts 6 reb and a season high 4 blks, well JR R. Spears added 11 pts 6 reb and 5 assists.

E. Laws also had a season/career best 12 pts as well off the bench.

Oregon State is now (7-1) on the season and will travel Bloomington Indiana on Thursday to take on #3 (8-0) Indiana in the start of a 3-game road trip in the Pac-10 vs Big 10 Challenge.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

GAME OF THE WEEK


(7-1) @ #3 (8-0)

1ST HALF RECAP

Going up against one of the best teams in the nation who has yet to lose, Coach Deuce knew he needed the stars to align for his squad to come away with a victory. He also knew he needed to throw a few new wrinkles at the Hoosier they hadn't seen yet from OSU game film this season.

The first move was moving 5* AA A. Gerlach from SG to PG and moving 5* AA R. Spears from PG to SG

Coach Deuce

"Both players played PG in high school but what we have noticed in practice is Spears has a quicker 1st step which allows him to take his defender off the dribble and get to the lane quickly. I felt like having him on the wing would open up more space and allow him a chance to create plays for himself or get the ball into the post better then playing from the top of the key"

The 2nd big move Coach Deuce did was to have his team press the inbound pass after a made shot, hoping to create some turnovers and get Indiana out of their normal offensive set.

Move 2 worked to perfection. OSU created 19 turnovers as R. Conroy finishes the half with a team high 5 steals. The press also kept Indiana from any offense rhythm leaving D. Sommerville forced to take over as he scores 12 of his teams first 17 points.

However the biggest story of the 1st half was that of JR SG Eugene Taft. A starter last season, Taft moved to the 6th man role this season where he has excelled leading the Beavers in scoring with 13 PPG. Coming off a career best 24 points against UNLV, Taft was still in the zone tonight as he hits 4/5 3PT and 8/11 FG to finish with a team high 21 points as he is named "Player of the Half"

Coach Deuce

“Taft was on fire, and when a player is playing like that it’s fun to watch. I thought the team did a good job of creating open looks for him and he did a great job knocking down his shots. I can’t wait to see how he does in the 2nd half”

With the Indiana trailing (60-41), the Hoosiers are going to need to find answers on offense, as well as figure out how to beat OSU’s new press and how to stop Taft from scoring. If not their perfect record and Top-5 ranking could come to an end tonight.

Stay tune to see what happens, in the 2nd half

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS KNOCK OFF #3 HOOSIERS

Indiana tried it's best in the 2nd half, trailing by 19 at the break, the Hoosiers got the lead down to single digits with less then a minute to play, as they finish 10/20 from beyond the arc, but in the end Oregon State's offense was just to much to overcome as the Beavers hit the century mark for the 1st time this season. FINAL SCORE OSU-106 #3 INDIANA-92

E. Taft's 2nd half performance was nothing to make Sportscenter but the Junior did finish with a career best/season high 31 pts as he takes home POG honors.

However the bigger news might have been that of JR PG/SG R. Spears. Moved from PG to SG for the game, Spears responded with a career high 21 points including 10/10 from the F.T. line.

With Spears stepping up in scoring, it was FR A. Gerlach moving to the PG position that ended up with a career high as well, as he dished out 10 assists well also grabbing 4 steals. His offense however was non-existent as he goes 0/3 FG, 0/2 3PT and 0/2 FT.

Taft,Spears and Gerlach however were not the only noteable stats tonight.

SR SF C. Gillingham finished with 17 pts (7/9 FG 2/4 3pt), SO PF R. Conroy had 16 pts 5 reb 5 assists and a career/season high 7 steals and SO C W. Ray finished with 13 pts and 5 reb despite playing just 14 minutes (foul problems).

For Indiana, JR PG D. Sommerville finished with 19 points in the loss as he goes 3/6 from 3pt.

NEXT UP #13 (8-1) WISCONSIN

[southernmetalhead]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Nice start to the season. Tough game against Georgia Tech, but you can't win them all. Hopefully, the rest of this Pac-10 vs. Big Ten Challenge goes well for you. The Indiana win is a solid start.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

OREGON STATE MOVES INTO TOP-25

With a (8-1) start and victory over #3 Indiana, the Beavers have impressed both the media and coaches making the Top-25 Polls at #25 and #24 and with upcoming games @ #13 Wisconsin and #23 Ohio State, Oregon State has a chance to climb even higher should they continue on winning.


Despite winning on the court, Oregon State and Coach Deuce have not been winning off the court, when it comes to Recruiting.

This season Coach Deuce had 2 scholarship's to offer and quickly targeted 5 players with 5* AA SG D. Aguilar (#9 Overall/#3 SG, Washington Mr BB) and 5* AA SF R. Harmon (#19 Overall/#2 SF, Oregon Mr BB) as his 2 scholarship offers.

Climbing to 100% on both players list of target schools was easy and caused alot of excitement around Corvallis, however in the end both players chose to play elsewhere, with Aguilar picking to stay in state and play at Washington well Harmon will join what looks to be the #1 Class in the country at USC.


Joining Harmon at USC was OSU's #3 target 6'11 PF D. Thibodeaux (5* Rated #25 Overall/#2 PF), as well as the #1 Overall player in the country (5* AA PG B. Sheppard, Mr BB CA), as well another 5* AA 6'10 PF J. Claudino (#17 Overall/#1 PF).


Coach Deuce

"I think it's pretty safe to say USC has found a potential starting lineup already with this year's class. Add in the fact they also have 4* SG D. Vilardell (#26 Overall/#10 SG) also in the mix with a scholarship offer, plus the #2 Overall Class last year, I would say USC is going to be tough to beat for the next 4-5 years"

Joining the Top-5 targets to sign else where was target #4, 5* AA K. Strong (#20 Overall/#3 SF) out of Vancouver WA. Like Aguilar he will stay instate and join Aguilar at Washington.

Target #5 was 4* 6'7 SF X. Platt (#46 OVerall/#6 SF, Mr BB TX), however Platt also chose to stay instate picking Texas A&M over OSU who finished #2 at 95%.


With the Top-5 targets gone, Coach Deuce was left to turn his attention to #6 and #7 who could still fill a huge need.

6'9 Bill Gray (Oakland CA) and 6'11 Jibrahn Richard (Huntsville TX) are the #2 and #2 Center prospects in the class. Both are 3* Rated and both are in the Top-150, with Richard at #145 and Gray at #150.

Coach Deuce

"Both Gray and Richard offer us something we don't have, which is a true bigman to backup W. Ray. Currently 6'8 E. Laws (Freshman) and 6'9 S. Chavez (JR Walkon) are filling that role. We are still undecided on whether or not we will indeed offer scholarship to both players but will most likely pick 1 by seasons end"

[milldaddy35]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Nice win man!

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

Nice win man!

Thanks it was nice to have both Taft and spears play great. I am actually done with non conference play and really liking the switch of spears to shooting guard. I am out of town tonight and tomorrow but should have some more stuff posted this weekend

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS NOTCH ANOTHER PAIR OF TOP-25 WINS!!

Coming off their biggest win of the season with a victory over #3 Indiana and a move in into the Top-25, the Oregon State Beavers extended their winning streak to 8 games as they sweep #13 Wisconsin and #23 Ohio State to go a perfect 3-0 in the Pac-10 vs Big 10 Challenge. With the victories OSU is now ranked #17 in the Top-25 Media Poll and #18 in the Coaches Poll.


Game Recap vs the Badgers

OSU would lead (46-39) at the half and hold Wisconsin to just 22 points in the 2nd half, as the Beavers come away with the double digit victory (88-61) This was a far different outcome from last year's Sweet 16 matchup that saw these 2 teams battle to the final seconds in a 2 point victory by OSU.

W. Ray was named POG as he finished with a season high 22 points 6 rebounds and 3 blocks.

R. Spears added 12 pts (2/6 3pt) and 5 assists well E. Laws led the way off the bench with 14 pts and 6 rebs. S. Chavez also added 11 pts despite going just (3/11 FG) as he hit 5/7 from the F.T. line.

Game Recap vs Bucks

Trailing (42-39) at the half, the Beavers once again would play a defensive 2nd half, allowing Ohio State to score just 24 points. One huge key to the (80-66) victory was the Buckeyes making just 14 trips to the Free Thrown line where they converted 12/14 attempts.

W. Ray for the 2nd straight game is named POG as he finishes with a team high 21 pts well matching his 6 rebound and 3 blk performance from 2 nights earlier.

R. Spears finished with 13 pts and matched A. Gerlach for team high in assists as both players finished with 7.

Also noted, just 1 week after having his best game of his career vs Indiana (31 pts), JR SG E. Taft had once of his worst vs the Bucks. Taft finished with just 6 points as he went 2/10 FG and just 1/5 from 3pt.

NEXT UP (10-1) OSU RETURNS HOME FOR THEIR FINAL 2 NON-CONFERENCE GAMES OF THE SEASON VS (7-5) SDSU AND (6-8) BSU

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

BEAVERS EXTEND STREAK STILL PERFECT AT HOME!

Oregon State closed out Non-Conference play this week with a pair of victories,making them a perfect 6-0 at Gil Coliseum. The Beavers also have increased their current winning streak to 10 wins since losing their only game of the season vs Georgia Tech.


Game Recap vs the Aztecs

OSU would score 50 points in the 1st half, their 2nd best performance of the season (scored 60 vs Indiana) as they take a (50-41) lead and continued to keep the pedal to the metal as they just missed hitting the century mark in the 97-78 victory

5 players scored in double digits led by FR PG A. Gerlach's season/career high 18 pts (7/10 FG 3/5 3pt). W. Ray added 15 pts 6 reb, well R. Conroy added a double double of 13 pts and 10 reb. R. Spear also had 10 pts and 4 assists from the starting unit.

E. Taft broke out of his slump with 13 pts off the bench going 6/12 from the floor including 1/4 from 3pt.

Game Recap vs the Broncos

The Broncos did their best to try and pull off the upset, as they took a (48-41) lead into the locker room, but like the Wisconsin and Ohio State game's, OSU would come out and play a defensive 2nd half, limiting BSU to just 27 points as OSU comes away with the 84-75 victory

The Broncos hit 11/26 from 3pt but just 14/26 FT in the loss.

It was once again a team effort for OSU as players score in double digits and for the 2nd straight game, Robbie Conroy comes away with a double double.

Conroy was named POG as he finished with 11 pts 10 reb, 6 assists and 3 steals.

W. Ray led the way with 13 pts well also blocking 3 shots. Gillingham (12 pts 7 reb 6 assist) also had a solid game, well E. Taft (10 pts) and E. Laws (11 pts) led the bench.


NEXT UP A LOOK AT THE PAC-10 STANDINGS AS WELL AS THE TOP-25

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

PAC-10 CURRENT STANDINGS

#17 Oregon State (12-1)
“The Beavers head into Pac-10 play riding a 10 game winning streak, and the current #1 RPI in the nation with a 3-0 record vs Top-25 programs.”

#20 Oregon (10-2)
“The Ducks opened the season with a win over (10-2) Purdue and then beat (7-3) North Carolina on the road before falling to #1 Vanderbilt (95-89). Oregon’s other loss was a (66-63) loss at home to (7-5) Idaho. Oregon’s RPI currently ranks #14

Arizona State (10-3)
“The Sun Devils opened the year with 4 straight wins including a road win over Providence (58-52) before losing at home to #5 (11-1) Indiana (88-59). They then won 6 straight with a road win over (8-5) Baylor and beat both (8-3) Syracuse and (8-4) Saint Mary’s at home, but they come into Pac-10 play having lost 2 straight @ #1 Vanderbilt and a home game vs Montana. Their current RPI ranks #19”

Cal (9-1)
“The Bears opened the year winning 8 straight including home games vs (8-6) Gonzaga (76-73) and (7-6) Georgia as well as big road wins over (8-7) San Diego State and (11-4) New Mexico (63-62). Their lone loss of the year was at home vs (9-5) Utah (75-63). Cal’s current RPI ranks #11”

#18 Washington (9-2)
“The Huskies also opened with a 6 game winning streak including wins over Nevada and #22 (11-3) Kansas State. Their 2 loss’s were a road game @ (8-3) Texas A&M and a home game vs (9-4) Colorado State. UW’s current RPI is #42”

#25 UCLA (9-3)
“The Bruins are barely hanging onto a Top-25 ranking with 3 loss’s (@ Saint Mary’s, @ Texas A&M and vs N. Colorado). They come into Pac-10 play having won 3 straight including a road win over Iowa State. UCLA’s current RPI is #78”

USC (9-3)
“The Trojans are surprising out of the Top-25 after spending the entire season in the polls last year with the bulk of it at #1. They opened this season with a home loss to Utah, won 4 in a row before falling to (11-2) Oklahoma also at home, than won 4 in a row again before losing to #1 Vanderbilt on the road. Despite all 3 “L’s” coming on the road including the Vandy loss, their home wins are not all the impressive with the only 1 “W” coming against a team with a better then .500 record (8-4 Saint Mary’s). USC’s current RPI is #113”

Stanford (8-3)
“The Cardinals won 5 straight to open the season including a road win over (9-3) Utah State and a home win over TCU, but then lost 2 in a row on the road (Texas Tech and Santa Clara) and then lost again on the road 1 week later to (5-5) Montana. Stanford’s current RPI is #159”

Arizona (8-4)
“The Wildcats opened the season with a home loss to Columbia before winning 6 including a road win over Iowa and a home win over Utah. (8-3) North Colorado however handed them loss #2 at home followed by a road loss @ Nebraska, followed by loss #4 vs (9-3) Kansas. Arizona’s current RPI ranks #48.”

Washington State (6-4)
“The Cougars started out 5-0 with wins over Idaho, Santa Clara, San Jose State, Wyoming and Pepperdine before falling to (2-11) Sacramento State and @ (11-4) New Mexico. Loss #3 came at the hands of Northern Colorado (60-56) at home followed by a road loss @ Utah (69-52).

[southernmetalhead]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

This may be the year Oregon State wins the Pac-10 and gets to the Final 4. That Big Ten sweep was huge.

[Deuce2223]

Re: Following in the footsteps of a Legend (CH2k8)

This may be the year Oregon State wins the Pac-10 and gets to the Final 4. That Big Ten sweep was huge.

I am hoping so.. Pac-10 is still going to be tough. USC and UCLA under performed in my opinion during non-conference play, and Washington was so-so. Oregon surprised me with how well they did and Cal was the big shocker. With all their Seniors leaving I was surprised to see them 9-1 and even more so with the #11 RPI.

Nice thing about this roster is I only lose 1 starter and my 10th man sub (who has been complaining all year about P.T.) I have some great guy's redshirting and Taft has really excelled in the 6th man role so much that he could take over the starting spot at SF next season, so I feel like if I don't make a Final 4 run and possible National Title game this year, the potential is still there next season as well.