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Pac-10 “Player of the Week”

Isaiah Thomas

After ending up on the NBADraft.net’s Pac-10 “Cold List” last week Thomas and the Huskies responded with home wins against the Cal Bears and Stanford Cardinal.  Washington remained undefeated at home and Thomas once again proved that he enjoys playing against Cal.  He scored 23 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 9 assists against the Bears this week.  In Washington’s two games against California this season Thomas is averaging 25 points, 4 rebounds and 11 assists per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor, 52.9 percent from the three point line and a perfect 11 for 11 from the foul line.  Thomas added 22 points, 2 rebounds and an assist this week against the Stanford Cardinal.

In Washington’s wins

Thomas  –  (50.2% FG) (42.7% 3PT)  18.5 PPG / 4.2 RPG / 6.1 APG / 2.4 TOs / 1.5 SPG  

In Washington’s losses

Thomas  –  (32.1% FG) (23.5% 3PT)  13.4 PPG / 2.6 RPG / 4.7 APG / 4.4 TOs / 0.9 SPG

What’s “Hot” in the Pac-10?

Jeremy Green

Green is struggling with consistency this season and was particularly unimpressive through the first half of Pac-10 Conference play. Green who was touted as Stanford’s best offensive player entering the season was averaging just 11.6 points per game through the first half of the conference schedule.  In those games Green shot 31.7 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from behind the three point arc.  He shot the ball well from distance (43.8 percent) during the non-conference schedule, but only eclipsed the 40 percent mark once through the first nine games of the conference slate.  However, the second time through the conference schedule is proving to be more to Green’s liking.  In the four games since the half way point, Green is averaging 23 points per game and recorded his first double-double of the season.  He is also shooting the ball well from the floor (52.7 percent), from three (55.6 percent) and from the foul line (86.4 percent).

What’s “Cold” in the Pac-10?

Klay Thompson

Since knocking off Washington and declaring themselves capable of running the table in the second half of conference play, Washington State’s star has yet to live up to his proclamations.  Instead of a 4-0 start to the second half, Thompson has the Cougars at 2-2 and 7-6 overall in conference. The comments themselves seem confusing coming from a basketball team with a 5-4 conference record at the time, but compound that with the way Washington State played in the second half of last season and the quotes become outlandish.  Thompson averaged 22.3 points per game through the first half of league play, but has struggled since the statements were made.  He’s averaging just 11.5 points per game since beating Washington and his shooting efficiency has also dipped to 35.5 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from the three point line. To further compound his recent inefficiency, he’s turning the ball over at a rate of 4.0 a game.

Pac-10 “Player of the Year” Top 5 List

1.  Derrick Williams (Arizona)  19.1 points / 9.0 rebounds

* Unless Arizona suffers a complete collapse down the stretch this is Williams’ award to lose.   

2.  Isaiah Thomas (Washington) 18.0 points / 7.2 assists

* Thomas may be the Pac-10’s “Most Valuable Player,” but Williams has a commanding lead on the POY.

3.  Klay Thompson (Washington State) 19.0 points / 6.1 rebounds / 4.0 assists

* Thompson may be the most versatile player in the Pac-10, but his performances remain inconsistent.

4.  Nikola Vucevic (USC)  18.7 points / 10.6 rebounds

* His steady improvement is impressive and if he returns to USC for his senior season, he will be a force. 

5.  Reeves Nelson (UCLA)  13.3 points / 9.0 rebounds

* Nelson has been the most consistent Bruin this season, and UCLA would struggle inside without his toughness.

Upcoming Games of Interest

02.17.2011  Washington State @ Arizona

02.17.2011  UCLA @ Stanford

02.19.2011  Washington @ Arizona

02.19.2011  Oregon State @ Oregon

02.20.2011  UCLA @ California

Results of Interest

02.10.2011  California 77 Washington 109

02.10.2011  Oregon 54 UCLA 64

02.12.2011  California 71  Washington State 75

02.13.2011  Arizona 67  Arizona State 52

Pac-10 Notes

California Bears

* Freshman Allen Crabbe suffered a concussion in Thursday night’s loss to the Washington Huskies.  The injury occurred when Washington center Aziz N’Diaye’s knee struck Crabbe’s head.  Crabbe did not return after suffering the injury and did not play against Washington State on Saturday.

Oregon State Beavers

* Sophomore center Joe Burton was suspended for Oregon State’s game against UCLA for violating team rules.

UCLA Bruins

* UCLA officials announced a decision regarding next season’s home schedule will be determined within the next two to three weeks.  Pauley Pavilion will close on April 1 for a $136 million dollar renovation project and remain closed until the start of the 2012-13 season.  The four venues being considered for next season are: Staples Center (Los Angeles), the LA Sports Arena (Los Angeles), Honda Center (Anaheim) and the Citizens Bank Arena (Ontario).