Pac-12 links: A Pac-12 team could play Baylor in Australia in 2016

» Baylor is in talks to open the 2016 season in Australia, and would likely face a Pac-12 opponent.

» Less than two years after leaving Arizona State, Texas athletic director Steve Patterson has already made enemies in Austin.

» Former Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is sponsoring a bus to take 40 kids from his hometown to next week’s NBA Draft.

» Kyle Anderson is holding a basketball clinic this Saturday in memory of a childhood friend who committed suicide. Continue reading “Pac-12 links: A Pac-12 team could play Baylor in Australia in 2016” »

Pac-12 links: Utah’s Jordan Loveridge sheds 25 pounds

» Promising Utah forward Jordan Loveridge has dropped 25 pounds since March, spurred in part by his father’s recent diabetes diagnosis. The 6-foot-6 rising sophomore didn’t want his dad to diet alone.

“As close as we are, it’s something that’s made us closer,” Bill Loveridge told the Salt Lake Tribune. “We talked about it once, and then we’ve just kind of gone out and done it.”

» Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins will serve one day in jail for his guilty DUI plea. How long should he be suspended?

» Stanford is the only FBS school that employs African-Americans as athletic director, football head coach and men’s basketball head coach. Is that a big deal? David Shaw: “I think it is a story that it’s not a big story. That’s a great story!” Continue reading “Pac-12 links: Utah’s Jordan Loveridge sheds 25 pounds” »

Mike Moser to Oregon; Allerik Freeman to Baylor

A pair of former Bruins found new homes today.

Most notable in the Pac-12 landscape is Mike Moser, who reportedly committed to Oregon as a graduate transfer out of UNLV. The 6-foot-8 forward played less than five minutes per game at UCLA in 2009-10 before heading to Las Vegas. With the Runnin’ Rebels, he averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds as a sophomore before a disappointing junior year — one that saw his minutes reduced due to both injury and the role of star freshman Anthony Bennett.

Moser will graduate from UNLV and play immediately for the Ducks, who lost three seniors from their Pac-12 tournament-winning squad. He also considered Gonzaga and Washington.

Freshman guard Allerik Freeman, who signed a national letter of intent with UCLA in November, is heading to Baylor after being released from his commitment two weeks ago. Freeman was the highest-ranked uncommitted recruit after No. 1 prospect Andrew Wiggins.

Adidas unveils camo sleeves, shorts

Well, that’s … bold. Adidas introduced daring new alternate looks for six basketball programs Tuesday, continuing what’s become a norm in college athletics. UCLA will be among those donning camouflage-patterned shorts, joining Baylor, Cincinnati, No. 21 Notre Dame, No. 10 Louisville, No. 6 Kansas.

UCLA, Baylor and Louisville’s new alternates also feature camo sleeves. The Bruins last attempt at an uniform change didn’t go very well, using an all-blue look during a home overtime loss to USC. They’ll wear this latest edition at least once during the Pac-12 tournament.

UPDATE: A UCLA spokesperson said players were presented with uniform concepts in advance and loved them.


Holiday Bowl: Running score

FINAL – Baylor 49, UCLA 26: RS Freshman Logan Sweet got his first career touchdown on a 34-yard grab that probably wouldn’t have stood a video review, but stayed on the board nonetheless. It got some sideline staff pretty excited, and did end up giving the Bruins their most single-season point total ever.

Baylor 49, UCLA 19 – 7:46, fourth quarter: Another UCLA turnover on downs gave Baylor the ball 31 yards from the end zone. The Bears ran the ball for seven straight plays to take 3:20 off the clock, with Nick Florence getting the score on the keeper.

Baylor 42, UCLA 19 – 12:25, fourth quarter: Owamagbe Odighizuwa forces a fumble on Glasco Martin, and UCLA takes advantage on the ensuing drive with Brett Hundley’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Shaq Evans. A cornerback tripping on the play helped the Bruins out. UCLA couldn’t convert on two points, and its ensuing onside kick failed as well.

Baylor 42, UCLA 13 – 1:52, third quarter: Glasco Martin punches in a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal, one that likely sealed the game for the Bears. The score sent plenty of UCLA fans heading to the exit. Baylor had a short field to work with after the Bruins turned the ball over on downs. With just 41 yards to go, the Bears’ drive mostly involved handing the ball to Martin.

Baylor 35, UCLA 13 – 8:18, third quarter: The Bruins’ longest drive of the game ends with a 40-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn. Brett Hundley was able to connect for big gains to Shaq Evans and Devin Fuller on the 58-yard drive, but — facing pressure — overthrew an open Fuller in the end zone on third down.

That the drive took 2:55 isn’t particularly encouraging for UCLA, which needs to score quickly to have a chance at closing the gap. It does look much better against the Bears’ defensive pressure, although Hundley did take his sixth sack of the game.

Baylor 35, UCLA 10 – 0:07, second quarter: UCLA settles for the 30-yard field goal on fourth-and-10. Some Bruins fans were clearly unhappy with the decision, raining light boos down as Ka’imi Fairbairn lined up for the try. It was surprisingly conservative choice on a gutsy drive by the Bruins, one that was extended when Jeff Locked scrambled for eight yards and a first down on a fake punt. Continue reading “Holiday Bowl: Running score” »