Roundup: Stanford, UCLA women's basketball join Oregon schools in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
For the third straight year, at least four Pac-12 women’s basketball teams are off to the Sweet 16 (four are going this year). Stanford punched its ticket for the 11th straight season after beating Florida Gulf Coast 90-70 (San Francisco Chronicle). Alanna Smith had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for Tara VanDerveer.
UCLA joined Stanford, Oregon and Oregon State in the second weekend by blowing out Creighton 86-64 Monday night at Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles Daily News). Jordin Canada led the way with 21 points eight assists, six rebounds and five steals.
And check out the highlights from Arizona State’s second-round loss to second-seeded Texas, an 85-65 decision. The Pac-12 is 9-2 in the NCAA Tournament so far.
Ryan S. Clark writes that Washington men’s basketball head coach Mike Hopkins is proving he was the right man for the job on Montlake. The Huskies wrapped up their first season under Hopkins with a 21-13 record after losing 85-81 to Saint Mary’s Monday night in the NIT second round.
Austin Meek of The Register-Guard writes about the connection Oregon women’s basketball has with the Eugene community. It’s a strong one, as more than 7,500 fans came out to Matthew Knight Arena to see the Ducks wallop Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Cal football is holding its Pro Day on Tuesday at 11 a.m. PT. Free admission for fans.
Writing for Yahoo Sports, former Stanford safety and five-year NFL pro Tank Williams has Sam Darnold going first overall in his latest 2018 Mock NFL Draft, with Josh Rosen going second to the Buffalo Bills. Gotta say, he’s a pretty entertaining read here.
Arizona softball shortstop Jessie Harper was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after hitting .500 with a double and two round-trippers in the Wildcats’ series sweep of Utah to open up conference action.
Washington State men’s basketball assistant coach Curtis Allen is joining Lorenzo Romar’s staff at Pepperdine, he announced on Twitter Monday (CougCenter). Allen played for Romar at Washington during his two final seasons.
Colorado women's lacrosse is ranked 15th in all three major national polls (BuffZone.com). The Buffs dropped a hard-fought 8-7 overtime decision to then-No. 12 USC before blowing away first-year program Arizona State 18-2 last week.
John Canzano caught up with Oregon State women’s basketball coach Scott Rueck on his Bald-Faced Truth radio show. A link to the full interview and a written recap can be found in the preceding link.
Utah's MaKenna Merrell-Giles’ perfect 10 on floor is your Opus Bank #12Best moment of the week.