Roundup: Stanford men's soccer in College Cup semifinal vs. North Carolina
Fall championship season continues along this weekend, so let’s start with Stanford men’s soccer facing North Carolina in the College Cup semifinals Friday night (5:45 p.m. PT/6:45 p.m. MT, ESPNU). The defending champions are facing their third-straight ACC foe after knocking off Virginia in the Sweet 16 and Louisville in the quarterfinals.
On the women’s volleyball front, Arizona is ready to take on Washington in the Sweet 16 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday. Winner takes on winner of Penn State-Nebraska (how about THAT for a round of 16 battle?!).
Keeping it on the volleyball front, 10th-seeded UCLA faces No. 7 North Carolina Friday night in Minnesota, with the winner taking on the winner of No. 15 Mizzou and No. 2 Minnesota.
Adam Jude discusses the Washington football scheduling situation. A soft non-conference schedule had many railing against the Dawgs’ credentials for the College Football Playoff, but it’s not like you can change your schedule to include tough opponents that easily. Plus, the Huskies will open the 2018 season against Auburn and have future home-and-homes with BYU and Michigan, so juicier non-league foes are on the horizon.
John Canzano lets us know that Oregon State is interviewing AD candidates in Las Vegas and gives us his suggestions for people who deserve a shot.
Cal women’s basketball forward Kristine Anigwe scored 50 points in the Bears' 97-73 win over Sacramento State on Thursday, become the first Golden Bear hooper ever – male or female – to hit the half-century mark. And oh yeah, she did it in 24 minutes, the fewest number of minutes to reach 50 since 1999-2000 (credit Cal women’s hoops Twitter for that one). First Klay, then Kristine – the East Bay, where outrageous scoring performances happen.
In other women’s hoops action, Kennedy Leonard scored a career-high 31 points to lead Colorado to a 74-56 win over Colorado State at the Coors Events Center, tying a school record with seven 3-pointers in the process. The Buffs are 9-0 for their best start since the 2013-14 season. If you haven’t started drinking the JR Payne Kool-Aid, now’s the time.
Well wouldn’t this be quite the staff addition – new Oregon football coach Willie Taggart is targeting Charlie Strong for his defensive coordinator (first reported by 247Sports, linked here by The Oregonian/OregonLive).
Washington State guard Cody O’Connell was named a Sports Illustrated first-team All-American. Other Pac-12ers on the SI first team are Adoree’ Jackson, Zane Gonzalez, Budda Baker and Mitch Wishnowsky.
Speaking of which, Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky won the Ray Guy Award for best punter in the country Thursday night at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Third straight for a Ute punter, making Utah the first school to claim that honor (as well as the first school to win with two different punters).
Kyle Bonagura reports that former USC quarterback Max Browne will visit Pittsburgh this weekend (doesn’t mean he will transfer there though).
Chantel Jennings provides us with a 2016 Arizona State football season review. It started off great and... .