Pac-10 Conference 2003-04 Season Recap
by Scott Allen
While Arizona garnered most of the preseason national hype, Stanford emerged as the class of the conference with one of the most remarkable regular seasons in college basketball history. The Cardinal won its first 26 games and was on the verge of becoming the first team in modern conference history to run the table in league play before Washington upset the Cardinal in Seattle on the final weekend of the season. Speaking of the Huskies, as dominating as Stanford was, Lorenzo Romar’s squad was the most surprising story of the Pac-10 season. The Huskies rebounded from an 0-5 start in conference play to finish 12-6 and earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. The postseason was not kind to any of the Pac-10 teams, however, as Washington and Arizona were dealt first-round exits and top-seeded Stanford lost in the second round. Oregon had the greatest tournament success, losing in the semifinals of the NIT. As for the rest of the conference, freshman Leon Powe made waves at Cal and Dick Bennett appears to have things turned around at Washington State. USC and UCLA had disappointing seasons, Oregon State struggled and Arizona State proved that one great player cannot carry a team – even if that player is Ike Diogu.
Pac-10 Conference Tournament
The quarterfinal round of the conference tournament produced no real surprises, as top-seeded Stanford cruised past No. 8 Washington State 66-49, No. 2 Washington held off No. 7 UCLA 91-83 and No. 3 Arizona eked by No. 6 USC 79-76 on a three-pointer by freshman guard Mustafa Shakur at the buzzer. No. 5 Oregon pulled off the only minor upset, upending No. 4 Cal 87-82 to ruin the Bears’ chances of qualifying for the NIT.
The Ducks gave Stanford all it could handle in the semifinals before the Cardinal made a run late and held on for the 70-63 win. In the other semifinal, Washington defeated Arizona in a shootout for the third time this season, 90-85.
With both teams making their first appearances in the tournament title game for the first time since the tournament was reinstated three years ago, Stanford jumped out to a six-point halftime lead en route to a 77-66 victory. Matt Lottich scored 20 points, including four three-pointers and Josh Childress added 14 for the Cardinal, which avenged its only loss of the regular season with the win.
NCAA/NIT
Stanford
As the No. 1 seed in the Phoenix regional, the Cardinal defeated UT-San Antonio 71-45 in the first round before bowing out to No. 8 Alabama 70-67 two days later. Senior Justin Davis tallied a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in his final game at Stanford, while Josh Childress scored 12 points and added seven boards before fouling out with 3:16 to play. The early exit marked the third consecutive year that the Cardinal failed to survive the first weekend of the tournament and the fifth time in the past six years Stanford has failed to reach the Sweet 16.
Arizona
The Wildcats faded down the stretch and were much closer to missing the tournament completely than earning a quality seed. Lute Olson’s squad wound up the eighth seed in the Atlanta Regional, where a 80-76 loss to No. 9 Seton Hall in the first round was surprising and capped an altogether disappointing season for the under-achieving Wildcats. All five starters scored in double figures and Arizona’s lead reached 15 points midway through the second half, but the Wildcats could not make defensive stops down the stretch.
Washington
The Huskies were arguably the hottest team heading into the tournament, and their upset of previously undefeated Stanford in the regular season finale coupled with a good run in the Pac-10 tournament ensured their name would be called on Selection Sunday. As the No. 8 seed in the St. Louis Regional, the Huskies dropped a heartbreaker to No. 9 Alabama-Birmingham in one of the most exciting – and certainly highest scoring – first round games. Two UAB free throws with 1.3 seconds to play were the difference in the game. Nate Robinson led five Huskies in double figures with 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
Oregon
The Ducks made a run to the semifinals of the NIT before bowing out to Michigan at Madison Square Garden. It didn’t look like the Ducks were going to survive a first-round game against Colorado, as the Buffaloes led by 18 in the second half. But Luke Jackson caught fire and scored 31 of the Ducks’ final 33 points as part of his 40-point performance to spark an amazing comeback and a 77-72 overtime victory. Oregon defeated George Mason 68-54 in the second round before edging Notre Dave 65-61 to advance to the semifinals.
Hoopville Conference Hardware
All-Conference Team:
Ike Diogu, Arizona State
Andre Iguodala, Arizona
Josh Childress, Stanford
Luke Jackson, Oregon
David Lucas, Oregon State
Defensive Player of the Year:
Channing Frye, Arizona
Coach of the Year:
Mike Montgomery, Stanford
Freshman of the Year:
Leon Powe, California
Newcomer of the Year:
Jeff McMillan, USC
Team-by-Team Recaps
Stanford (30-2, 17-1)
Suffice to say, the Cardinal far surpassed expectations with a record-setting season that included wins over Gonzaga and then-No. 1 Kansas in the preseason and dramatic buzzer-beating game-winners at home against Arizona and at Washington State as part of a school-record 26 straight victories. Washington denied Stanford the chance to become the first team to run the table in league play since the conference expanded to 10 teams in the final game of the regular season, but the Cardinal rebounded to capture its first Pac-10 tournament title.
Team MVP: Josh Childress, 15.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 48.8 FG%
Top Scorer: Childress
Top Rebounder: Childress
Top Assists: Chris Hernandez, 4.3
Starters Leaving:
F Josh Childress (NBA Draft)
G Matt Lottich (Graduating)
C Justin Davis (Graduating)
Key Players Returning (Year is the year player will be entering):
Jr. G Chris Hernandez (10.0 ppg, 4.3 apg, 46.0 3P%)
Sr. F Rob Little (9.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
Jr. F Matt Haryasz (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Sr. F Nick Robinson (6.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
There’s no denying that just how good the Cardinal can be next year hinges on whether or not Childress returns to the Farm for his senior season. Coach Mike Montgomery’s cupboard is not empty should his All-American swingman leave, however, and Stanford should challenge for the Pac-10 title and earn another NCAA bid with or without his services. If Childress returns and Dan Grunfeld can fill the shoes of departed sharpshooter Matt Lottich, Stanford could challenge for a deeper run in the NCAA tournament.
Washington (19-12, 12-6)
The Huskies finished the season with a flurry after dropping their first five conference games and they were arguably the hottest bunch heading into the tournament. Credit second-year head coach Lorenzo Romar with maintaining the confidence of his young team even when the chips were down early on, long before any talk of an NIT, let alone an NCAA, bid surfaced in Seattle. Nate Robinson emerged as one of the most electrifying playmakers in the Pac-10 and nearly carried the Huskies to an upset of N.C. State in Raleigh in a rare non-conference game in the middle of Pac-10 play. Washington knocked off previously unbeaten Stanford in the final regular season game for both squads at Bank of America Arena.
Team MVP: Nate Robinson, 13.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Top Scorer: Robinson
Top Rebounder: Brandon Roy, 5.3 ppg
Top Assists: Will Conroy, 4.6 apg
Starters Leaving:
None
Key Players Returning:
Jr. G Nate Robinson (13.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Jr. G Brandon Roy (12.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
Jr. F Will Conroy (12.3 ppg, 4.6 apg)
Jr. F Mike Jensen (7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
It’s amazing what a strong finish will do. Reminiscent of the way early prognosticators elected a young Michigan State squad as a Final Four favorite at the conclusion of last year’s tournament, Sports Illustrated forecasts the Huskies as a top-10 team in their pre- preseason rankings. Indeed, Washington should only get better next year with all five starters returning, coupled with the development of a solid freshman class. While they will likely be among the favorites for the Pac-10 crown, they won’t have the luxury of sneaking up on anybody.
Arizona (20-10, 11-7)
Despite boasting one of the most athletic starting lineups in the country, the Wildcats fluctuated between resembling a team that was Final Four material in wins over Texas and Cal at home, to a team that belonged in the NIT with losses at USC and Oregon State. All in all, it was a disappointing season in the desert for head coach Lute Olson, who couldn’t coax much defense out of his offensive-minded troops. Andre Iguodala emerged as one of the most complete players in the nation, posting three triple-doubles during the season.
Team MVP: Andre Iguodala (8.4 rpg, 4.9 apg)
Top Scorer: Hassan Adams, 17.2 ppg
Top Rebounder: Iguodala
Top Assists: Iguodala
Starters Leaving
F Andre Iguodala (Draft)
Key Players Returning
So. G Mustafa Shakur (9.4 ppg, 4.5 apg)
Jr. G Salim Stoudamire (16.3 ppg)
Sr. C Channing Frye (15.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Sr. G Hassan Adams (17.2 ppg)
The Wildcats are never at a lack for talented recruits to fill the void left by early departures such as Iguodala this season. That said, Mr. Triple-Double will be sorely missed. Mustafa Shakur emerged as a legitimate playmaking threat at point guard and Channing Frye figures to be primed for a monster senior season. The talent will be there in Tucson once again, but the Wildcats success will be determined by how that talent gels and if Arizona can get better defensively.
Oregon (18-13, 9-9)
After point guard extraordinaire Luke Ridnour bolted for NBA riches at the end of last season, there was little question the Ducks would have a hard time replicating their 23 wins and Pac-10 Tournament title. While the remaining cool hand Luke (Jackson) did a remarkable job single-handedly carrying the team at times – see 40-point performance in first round of NIT – the rest of the Ducks lineup was simply too inconsistent to seriously challenge for the conference crown. Ernie Kent’s squad spent much of the season on the NCAA tournament bubble before ultimately finishing on the outside looking in.
Team MVP: Luke Jackson (21.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 apg)
Top Scorer: Jackson
Top Rebounder: Jackson
Top Assists: Jackson
Starters Leaving:
F Luke Jackson (Graduating)
G Andre Joseph (Graduating)
G James Davis (Graduating)
Key Players Returning
Jr. C Ian Crosswhite (12.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
So. F Mitch Platt (5.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
So. G Aaron Brooks (7.0 ppg, 2.7 apg)
The Ducks have some serious shoes to fill in Jackson’s, not to mention the loss of sharpshooters Andre Joseph and James Davis. With that trio’s prolific three-point shooting numbers, Oregon was rarely out of any game. Next year’s team may look more inside to Crosswhite and Platt, while sophomore guard Aaron Brooks, who missed time this season with a wrist injury, must develop into more of a scorer.
California (13-15, 9-9)
Coach Ben Braun had one of the youngest teams in the Pac-10 and, as young teams are wont to do, the Bears experienced some growing pains. The youth and the loss of All-Pac-10 forward Josh Shipp was especially felt at the beginning of the season, as the Bears stumbled out of the gates, including a home loss to Cal Poly to open the season. Cal bounced back during the conference season and found itself on the tournament bubble at times, but could not pull off the big win down the stretch and ended the season on a three-game skid.
Team MVP: Leon Powe (15.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg)
Top Scorer: Powe
Top Rebounder: Powe
Top Assists: Ayinde Ubaka, 3.9 apg
Starters Leaving
F Amit Tamir (Graduating)
G A.J. Diggs (Graduating)
Key Players Returning
So. F Leon Powe
So. G Ayinde Ubaka (6.4 ppg)
So. F Marquise Kately (10.5 ppg)
Jr. G Richard Midgley (10.6 ppg)
The Bears will be without Powe until December as the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year recovers from left knee surgery, but if he comes back close to 100 percent, Cal should be much improved and challenge for a tournament bid. Kately is a nice complement inside and Ubaka made great strides as a freshman at the point guard position. With Tamir and Diggs gone, Midgley will have to take a greater offensive role on the perimeter.
USC (13-15, 8-10)
The Trojans were on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows from the point the season began. To make matters worse, the highs weren’t all that high and the lows were, well, really low (25-point loss to Cal Poly at home). Desmon Farmer scored 40 points to spark an upset of Arizona in February, but even that win lost its luster as the Wildcats faded down the stretch.
Team MVP: Desmon Farmer (19.4 ppg)
Top Scorer: Farmer
Top Rebounder: Jeff McMillan, 8.6 rpg
Top Assists: Errick Craven, 3.0 apg
Starters Leaving:
G Desmon Farmer (Graduating)
Key Players Returning:
So. G Lodrick Stewart (8.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
Sr. G Errick Craven (11.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Sr. C Rory O’Neil (8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
Sr. F Jeff McMillan (11.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
Henry Bibby will return a fairly talented bunch, anchored by the Craven and Stewart twins at the guard position and seniors McMillan and O’Neil inside. Then again, Bibby returned all five starters this season and couldn’t get his team out of the depths of mediocrity. It’s anybody’s guess as to how USC will fare at the start of the season let alone trying to forecast the Trojans’ future now. The loss of Farmer will certainly be felt.
Washington State (13-16, 7-11)
While they came up a few games short of becoming eligible for an NIT bid, the Cougars climbed well out of the land of that is the Pac-10 cellar and was by far the most improved team in the Pac-10 this season. Most of that is thanks to first-year head coach Dick Bennett, who implemented his classic zone defense that kept opponents off balance – and in the 50s – on most nights. Washington State nearly upset Arizona at home and was a desperation heave by Stanford’s Matt Lottich away from upsetting the No. 1 and then-No. 1 Cardinal at home.
Team MVP: Marcus Moore (13.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.7 apg)
Top Scorer: Moore
Top Rebounder: Shami Gill, 5.3 rpg
Top Assists: Moore, 3.7 apg
Starters Leaving:
Marcus Moore (Graduating)
Key Players Returning:
Sr. G Thomas Kelati (11.1 ppg, 44.4 3P%)
Sr. G Jeff Varem (9.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
While they lose star guard Marcus Moore, who nearly opted to leave for the NBA after his junior season, the Cougars return the rest of the core of their scoring – which is good, except they don’t score that much. The players, who seemed to buy into Bennett’s system from the get-go should be even more comfortable during his second year at the helm. If nothing else, Bennett has made basketball season interesting in Pullman once again – no longer just a sport to follow from the time football season ends until spring practice begins.
UCLA (11-17, 7-11)
With Steve Lavin out and Ben Howland in, things were more upbeat in Westwood at the start of the season than they had been in quite some time. As the Bruins raced out to a 5-0 start in conference play, it appeared Howland’s rebuilding project might be easier than originally anticipated, but as they lost 11 of their last 13 conference games, it was readily apparent that a new coach was not the magical quick-fix.
Team MVP: T.J. Cummings (12.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 55.2 FG%)
Top Scorer: Dijon Thompson, 14.4 ppg
Top Rebounder: Cummings
Top Assists: Cedric Bozeman, 5.5 apg
Starters Leaving:
T.J. Cummings (Graduated)
Dijon Thompson (Note: Withdrew from NBA Draft – will return for next season)
Trevor Ariza (Draft – granted release from UCLA)
Key Players Returning:
Sr. G Brian Morrison (8.5 ppg, 42.5 3P%)
Sr. G Cedric Bozeman (7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.5 apg)
Jr. C Ryan Hollins (6.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
Ariza’s decision to leave after one season is a big blow to the Bruins and the continuity Howland would like to begin to establish in his second season. The freshman was one of the encouraging stories of an otherwise disappointing season. Cummings will also be missed, but with an influx of new recruits and a solid returning group of upperclassmen, the Bruins should be improved next season.
Oregon State (12-16, 6-12)
A 6-12 conference mark and missing the Pac-10 tournament may not seem like much to be proud of, but for head coach Jay John and the Beavers, it may be a sign of good things to come in Corvallis. Oregon State lost four starters, including its top three scorers and All-Conference selection Phillip Ricci after last season, which seemed to spell a ticket to the Pac-10 cellar. But David Lucas emerged as a force inside, nearly tripling his point production from last season, and the Beavers were no pushovers for conference opponents, as they showed in upsetting Arizona 90-84 in February.
Team MVP: David Lucas (17.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
Top Scorer: Lucas
Top Rebounder: Lucas
Top Assists: Lamar Hurd, 4.9 apg
Starters Leaving:
None
Key Players Returning
Sr. F David Lucas
Jr. G Chris Stephens (15.8 ppg)
Sr. G J.S. Nash (10.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.8 apg)
Sr. F Jim Hanchett (7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
A veteran core returns next season for what should be a more successful season. A dreadful mark this season could have dampened the outlook for next year, but with Lucas inside and Stephens and Nash providing scoring from the perimeter, the Beavers should inch more toward the middle of the standings.
Arizona State (10-17, 4-14)
Sophomore sensation Ike Diogu was constantly double and triple-teamed in the paint and still managed to put up all-conference numbers, but one player does not a team make. Although Jason Braxton and junior college transfer Steve Moore had solid seasons, all the concentration on Diogu should have opened the door – and the perimeter – for his teammates to contribute more consistently, but shuffle of the starting lineup, partly due to seven first-year players on the roster, prevented the Sun Devils from establishing any sort of momentum. Like Oregon State, the Sun Devils lost several nail-biters, including a last-second loss to Stanford at home.
Team MVP: Ike Diogu (22.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
Top Scorer: Diogu
Top Rebounder: Diogu
Top Assists: Jason Braxton, 4.8 apg
Starters Leaving:
Jamal Hill (Graduating)
Key Players Returning:
Jr. F Ike Diogu
Sr. G Steve Moore (12.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
With Diogu returning for his junior season and the freshman, including Tron Smith and Keith Wooden, all with a year of experience under their belt, the Sun Devils should not repeat as conference cellar dwellers next season. The key for Rob Evans may be finding the right group of guys to mesh with Diogu in the starting lineup.
Conference Outlook for 2004-05
The Pac-10 will head into next season with a lot to prove. Taking nothing away from Stanford’s incredible season and the great story that unfolded in Seattle with Washington’s turnaround, conference supporters who gripe about East coast media bias and the Pac-10’s lack of respect swallowed their words after all three of its representatives in the NCAA Tournament were eliminated during the first weekend. As is the case throughout the nation, several teams’ prospects for next season hinge on which star players will bolt for the draft and which will opt to return. Established stars will leave, budding talent will emerge and life will go on in the Pac-10 – with or without the respect of the rest of the nation. The conference can only hope its 2005 tournament life is considerably longer than it was this season.
