Pac-Ten Blog

Player of the Week

Klay Thompson has started strong again this season.  He averaged 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this week on 64 percent shooting from the field and an 83 percent mark from the foul line.  Thompson might possess the highest skill level of any player in the Pac-10, but the knock on Thompson is last year’s late season dip in production.  Whether because of fatigue or the physicality of the Pac-10 Conference, Thompson has something to prove to NBA scouts as the year progresses.  His numbers thus far seem to indicate he’s up to the challenge.  Plus, Faisal Aden’s arrival and instant success scoring the basketball at the D1 level should alleviate some of the defensive attention Thompson consistently receives.  If Ken Bone is able to integrate point guard Reggie Moore into the offense while maintaining this level of production from Thompson and Aden, Washington State will be a force in Pac-10 play.   

Hot

The Washington State Cougars’ offense is being highlighted this week thanks in large part to strong performances by Klay Thompson and Faisal Aden.  Washington State’s backcourt duo of Thompson and Aden combined to score 106 points in two games against Portland and Fresno State. Against Portland the Cougars shot 30 of 51 (58.8%) from the floor and 11 of 21 (52.4%) from the three point line in route to a decisive 84-68 victory.  The hot shooting continued against Fresno State even without forward DeAngelo Casto who missed the game with a foot sprain and starting point guard Reggie Moore who has yet to play this season. The Cougars shot 26 of 56 (46.4%) from the floor and 9 of 25 (36.0%) from the three point line for an eleven point victory over the Bulldogs.  WSU finished the week shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from behind the arc.

Cold

The California Bears entered the week with a 3-0 record that included a win against Mountain West power, New Mexico.  This week began with another victory as the Bears knocked off a Top 25 Temple squad, 57-50.  The Bears didn’t shoot particularly well in the win (.391 FG), but it was good enough to beat a Temple team known for it’s defense.  However, the next 20 minutes of Cal basketball was one of the worst since the inception of the shot clock.  The Bears scored 5 points in the first half, shot 2 of 25 from the floor, 0 for 8 from the three point line and 1 of 2 from the foul line.  Credit could be given to Harper Kamp and Mark Sanders-Frison for their two baskets, but they were a combined 2 for 10 in the process.  The Bears bounced back with a solid second half against Notre Dame and played Boston College tough until halftime, but their offense went cold again in the second half.  During California’s three games at The Old Spice Classic they shot 53 of 160 (33.1%) from the floor, 17 of 54 (31.5%) from the three point line and 5 of 10 (50.0%) from the free throw stripe.     

10 Notable Performances

Klay Thompson (Washington State) vs. Portland

(13-16 FG) 35 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks and a steal

Derrick Williams (Arizona) vs. Kansas

(9-15 FG) 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 2 steals and a block

Calvin Haynes (Oregon State) vs. Charlotte

(7-11 FG) 27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers and a steal

Faisal Aden (Washington State) vs. Fresno State

(11-22 FG) 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers and 2 steals

Malcolm Lee (UCLA) vs. Virginia Commonwealth

(7-15 FG) 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers and 2 steals

Omari Johnson (Oregon State) vs. Charlotte

(7-11 FG) 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers

Joevan Catron (Oregon) vs. Duke

(5-13 FG) 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block and no turnovers

Trent Lockett (Arizona State) vs. Weber State

(9-12 FG) 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 turnover

Reeves Nelson (UCLA) vs. Virginia Commonwealth

(8-16 FG) 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers and a block

Nikola Vucevic (USC) vs. Cal State Fullerton

(5-13 FG) 16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers and 2 blocks

5 Performances to Forget

Gary Franklin (California) vs. Notre Dame and Boston College (combined totals)

(5-26 FG) 14 points, 6 turnovers, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and a block 

Matthew Bryan-Amaning (Washington) vs. Kentucky

(3-11 FG) 7 points, 5 turnovers, 2 rebounds

Nikola Vucevic (USC) vs. Nebraska

(2-15 FG) 5 points, 9 rebounds, 3 turnovers and 3 blocks

Rihards Kuksiks (Arizona State) vs. Houston Baptist

(4-17 FG) 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 turnover

Jorge Gutierrez (California) vs. Notre Dame

(3-13 FG) 7 points, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a block

Upcoming Games of Interest

12.02.2010 Arizona State vs. Baylor

12.02.2010 Oregon vs. Missouri

12.02.2010 UCLA vs. Kansas

12.03.2010 Washington State vs. Kansas State

12.05.2010 Arizona State vs. Richmond

12.05.2010 USC vs. Texas

Results of Interest

Kentucky 74  Washington 67

Michigan State 76  Washington 71

Villanova 82  UCLA 70

California 57  Temple 50

Virginia Commonwealth 89  UCLA 85

Kansas 87  Arizona 79

Duke 98  Oregon 71

Notable Player Updates

DeAngelo Casto (Washington State) – Sprained foot / Return Date: Undisclosed

Reggie Moore (Washington State) – Wrist injury / Return Date: Undisclosed

Roberto Nelson (Oregon State) – Academic ineligibility / Return Date: December 12

Jio Fontan (USC) – NCAA transfer regulations / Return Date: December 18