mdevildugan@yahoo.com
March 3rd, 2006
Pac-10
Basketball: Awards & Recap
Was
it really just last year that the Pac-10 garnered a number seed and sent a
team to the Elite Eight?
My,
how times have changed.
The
Pac-10’s struggles have been well documented. Bad non-conference losses,
combined with relatively few impressive wins of the same variety, and the
Pac-10 is just not what many imagined, especially considering both Arizona
and Stanford were pre-season top 15 teams. Nevertheless, the reemergence of
UCLA, the return of Leon Powe to the Cal lineup, and Washington reloading
after losing the core of last year’s team all have been worthy storylines.
And there is still time
for redemption – the NCAA’s are coming. A good showing there (this is a
glass half-full type of column), and no one will care what happened the rest
of the season. Before I begin to hold my breath, here’s some of what did
happen:
All Pac-10 Team:
(The conference
names 10 players; I’m only going with five)
PG, Jordan Farmar, UCLA
(14.3 pts, 5.4 rbs)
SG, Brandon Roy,
Washington (19.9 pts, 5.5 rbs, 4.1 assts)
SF, Hassan Adams,
Arizona (17.9 pts, 5.3 rbs)
PF, Leon Powe,
California (19.9 pts, 10.1 rbs)
C, Matt Haryasz,
Stanford (17.3 pts, 9 rbs)
Player of the year:
Roy.
Pressed for a decision two weeks ago, and I would have said Powe. Yet,
before last night’s game at ASU, Roy scored 20 or more in nine consecutive
games, making him hard to overlook. Plus, the Huskies have won seven in a
row, and suddenly find themselves in second place, with a chance to win the
regular season title if they win on Saturday and UCLA loses. Runner up:
Powe.
Coach of the Year:
Ben Howland,
UCLA. True, the Bruins were supposed to be good, but they weren’t expected
to win the conference, which they will with a win on Saturday versus
Stanford. Making the Bruins performance even more impressive is the
injuries they sustained. Swingman Josh Shipp was to be a key contributor,
and he missed nearly the entire year. Forward Alfred Aboya, Centers Ryan
Hollins and Michael Fey and guard Cedric Bozeman also missed significant
time. Runner up: Lorenzo Romar, Washington.
Freshmen of the Year:
Marcus
Williams, Arizona. He got off to really tough start in Maui, scoring only
14 points in three games. Since then, though, he has been Lute Olson’s most
consistent player, averaging 13.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in conference
play. It’s a matter of when, not if he’s a lottery pick. Runner up: Luc
Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA
Most Improved Player:
Ayinde Ubaka,
California. Ubaka was a role player a year ago, averaging 6.1 ppg and
shooting a dreadful 25% from three. This year, he’s given the Bears 14.6
points and nearly 4 assists a night. He’s also made double-teaming Leon
Powe more difficult by hitting a very respectable 37% from beyond the arc.
Runner up: Nick Young, USC.
Most Underrated:
Ivan Radenovich,
Arizona. He’s got nice overall feel for the game. Above average in terms of
his shot, as well as his ability to pass, Radenovich is really valuable to
the sometimes-schizophrenic Wildcats. And he’s not afraid to bang around
inside, which distinguishes him from some other European imports. Runner
up: Kevin Kruger, Arizona State.
Most Disappointing Team:
Oregon.
Initially, the instinct is to say Stanford. And while the Cardinal did
not live up to expectations, they at least put together a few solid weeks
that placed them on the bubble. The Ducks, on the other hand, were dreadful
from the get go, and, for the most part, stayed that way. In non-conference
play, they lost to in-state “rivals” Portland and Portland State. Overall,
they are 13-16, and 7-10 in the conference, including a stretch in which
they lost seven of eight. Not good for a team that was thought to have the
talent to compete for the conference crown. Runner up: Stanford.
Most Surprising Team:
Washington.
Yes, the Huskies were a number one seed last year, but the core of that
team—Tre Simmons, Nate Robinson and Will Conroy—is no longer in Seattle.
Nevertheless, Washington is 23-5 overall and 12-5 in conference. And
depending upon this weekend’s results, they could finish the regular season
tied atop the Pac-10 standings. Romar has them playing their best
basketball of the year, making them a tough out. Indeed, they could be a
dangerous five or six seed. Runner up: California
Game of the Year:
Arizona 96,
Washington 95 (Seattle – Dec. 31, 2005) Ironically, the game of the year
didn’t take place this year. On New Year’s Eve, Arizona beat
Washington in two overtimes, overcoming 35 points and a game-tying three at
the end of the first OT by Roy. Adams poured in 32 for the ‘Cats, who broke
the Huskies’ 32-game home winning streak, which was the longest in the
nation at the time. Runner up: Stanford 76, Washington 67 (Palo Alto –
Jan. 29, 2006) Stanford guard Chris Hernandez sends the game to OT by making
three free throws with virtually no time left, after he was fouled
attempting a three.
