Roundup: UCLA men's hoops looks like Pac-12 contender

Recovering from early-season losses, UCLA men’s basketball looks like a Pac-12 contender, writes Kyle Ringo for Yahoo Sports. The Bruins have defeated Kentucky and Gonzaga recently, taking down the Bulldogs Saturday night in Spokane.

Arizona State has dismissed two players following their arrests on second-degree burglary charges. The players – Jayme Otomewo and Deonte Reynolds – did not play in a game for the Sun Devils this season.

All-American right tackle Zach Banner will return to USC for his senior season, notes Kyle Bonagura.

Carl Steward of Bay Area News Group reports that Cal football coach Sonny Dykes never doubted he’d come back to Cal while the two sides were entrenched in extension talks. Dykes mentioned that reporting errors were made in rumors about his interviewing for other jobs, but he didn’t specifically mention what the errors were.

Utah linebacker Gionni Paul will play in his first Holy War on Saturday against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl, notes Kevin Gemmell. The Miami transfer had to sit out the 2013 season because of transfer rules, and 2013 was the last year these two sides played.

Oregon State women’s basketball isn’t looking ahead to Tennessee yet, writes Gina Mizell. Before the Lady Vols come to Corvallis Saturday, the seventh-ranked Beavs gotta handle CSU Bakersfield first.

Brian Howell writes that Colorado women’s basketball’s tough non-conference slate has prepared it for the rigors of Pac-12 play. The Buffs have played three SEC opponents in Kentucky, Florida and Missouri and lost to ‘em all.

Arizona’s injury-riddled defense will get one last chance to prove itself this year in the New Mexico Bowl against New Mexico. Kevin Gemmell jots down all that went wrong for the ‘Cats on that side of the ball, largely because of injuries at linebacker.

Jacob Thorpe features Washington State cornerbacks Darrien Molton and Marcellus Pippins. The two have made quite the tandem in the Wazzu secondary and will be for some time to come considering both are underclassmen.

Adam Jude previews the Heart of Dallas Bowl between Washington and Southern Miss with Dante Pettis, Myles Gaskin and Jonathan Smith in video form.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at Stanford men’s soccer at the College Cup. Another year, another championship for Stanford athletics.

Chantel Jennings details all the highs and lows for Oregon football in 2015 in this season review.