Roundup: Big stretch coming up for Cal

Just two games out of first in the Pac-12 with a game against second-place UCLA Wednesday and a bout against first-place Arizona the Wednesday after, Cal is preparing for a key Pac-12 stretch run.

If you ask John Gambadoro of ArizonaSports.com, he’ll tell you that Herb Sendek is doing his best coaching job since arriving in Tempe. The Forks are on the verge of their first ticket to the big dance in five years.

This article is a little outdated now, but this is still a good read about Oregon State men’s basketball coach Nate Pomeday celebrating Valentine’s Day with a healthy daughter. His daughter Everley was born with clubfoot, hip dysplasia and her kneecap on the backside of her leg, and underwent surgery on Valentine’s Day two years ago at just seven months old to help her one day walk, something she now has mastered. Additionally, John Garrett is Oregon State’s new offensive coordinator.

Relevant again in the world of college basketball, the Utes are eyeing an NCAA tournament run. Huge home game against Arizona on Wednesday, and the thought is that the Utes need to win four of their last five regular season games to put themselves in contention for an at-large bid.

After scoring 32 points in both road wins at Utah and Colorado, Tia Presley was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on the women’s hoops front. Washington State is now 14-12 overall and 8-6 in the Pac, setting a high for overall and league victories for the program since the 1995-96 campaign. Charlie Creme also has the Cougars on the bubble in his latest bracketology.

UCLA women’s hoops won 103-83 at Oregon on Monday, and Mary Murphy caught up with Atonye Nyingifa and Thea Lemberger to talk about their great scoring efforts. Those two combined for 55 points (Atonye 34, Thea 21, and don’t forget Nirra Fields’ 26).

It’s been a rough conference season for Colorado women’s hoops. Once ranked in the top 15 in the nation, the Buffs are struggling to find lost momentum at 4-10 in Pac-12 play.

Over the holiday weekend, former Oregon Duck E.J. Singler won the D-League three-point contest by hitting one at the buzzer to put him on top. Here’s video of the event.

Take a look at the before and after of USC’s Heritage Hall. Football Scoop says it “will wow you.”

Arizona cross country and distance runner Lawi Lalang was named national athlete of the week by the USTFCCCA. His mile time of 3:52.88 (accomplished Saturday) is a personal best and school and collegiate record.

With spring practice beginning Monday, Stanford has moved Kodi Whitfield from wide receiver to free safety. The switch from the receiving corps to the secondary worked out alright for Richard Sherman, I’d say. Former quarterback Dallas Lloyd will also be making to move to the secondary.

With Keith Price out of the picture, UW Dawg Pound takes a look at the Washington quarterbacks as part of a 2014 spring preview.