2008–09 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball season
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball season ended with six teams participating in the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
and two teams playing in the College Basketball Invitational
(CBI).
The Washington Huskies won the regular season championship and its head coach Lorenzo Romar
was named coach of the year.
Only three teams, Washington (#14), UCLA
(#17) and Arizona State (#19), finished the season in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. They were #15, #18, and #19 respectively in the "AP Top 25
" polls. However, in the final post-NCAA tournament coaches' poll, Arizona was also ranked, coming in at #24, behind Washington (#16), UCLA (#18) and Arizona State (#19).
, who was previously the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal
, came back to college coaching with the California Golden Bears
. Craig Robinson
, President Barack Obama
's brother-in-law, became the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers
. Lute Olson
retired from Arizona
and Russ Pennell
took over.
Pac-10 teams participated in the Pac-10/Big 12 Series. They also took part in other pre-season tournament games, including the 2K Sports Classic
, and the John R. Wooden Classic
in the Honda Center. Oregon Ducks
played in the Maui Invitational Tournament
and Washington State Cougars
were there at the Legends Classic.
Arizona led the conference in attendance with a total of 232,576 in 17 games, averaging 13,681 (14,545 capacity).
at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles, California
on March 14, in front of a crowd of 16,988. The team defeated #4 seed Arizona State and won the school's first tournament championship. It was also the first time a team seeded sixth in the tournament went on to win the championship. The Trojans received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA National Tournament.
. Five teams won their first round games, but only Arizona played in the regional semi-finals. The Wildcats lost to Louisville 103–64.
Oregon State and Stanford played in the College Basketball Invitational
(CBI). Oregon State defeated Stanford (65–62) in over-time in the semi-finals and played UTEP
for the championship in a best of three-game series. Oregon State won the CBI
title by winning the first and third games over UTEP.
head coach Tony Bennett
announced that he was leaving Washington State
to take the head coaching job at Virginia
. Ken Bone
, formerly with Portland State, takes over.
On March 31, 2009, UCLA's senior point guard Darren Collison
was named the 2009 recipient of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award goes to the "nation's outstanding senior male collegian 6'0" and under who has excelled both athletically and academically."
Russ Pennell
left Arizona after a year coaching one of the country's premiere basketball programs. He coached the Wildcats to the Sweet 16
, where the team lost the final game to Louisville, 103–64. USC's Tim Floyd
went to Tucson for an interview of the Arizona job, but he decided to remain at USC. Sean Miller
, former Xavier coach, accepted the job on April 6.
The conference set a new attendance record with 8,541 per game, beating the 2007 record of 8,524.
(SG, Sophomore), of Arizona State was named to the 2009 Consensus All-America
first team. He was listed on the Associated Press
, the USBWA, and the Sporting News All-American lists to qualify for the "Consensus All-America".
The following players from Pac-10 were honored on the AP All American
list:
First Team (Player, School, Ht, Wt, Yr, Key stats)
Honorable mention (Player, School)
First team (Name, School, Pos, Yr, Ht, Wt, Hometown (Last School))
teams (minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant contributor):
First Team (School, Year, GPA, Major)
Second Team (School, Year, GPA, Major)
Taylor Rochestie, of Washington State, was named a Pacific-10 Conference winter Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
and two teams playing in the College Basketball Invitational
College Basketball Invitational
The College Basketball Invitational is a men's college basketball tournament created in 2007 by The Gazelle Group. The inaugural tournament occurred after the conclusion of the 2007–08 men's college basketball regular season. The CBI selects 16 teams that are not selected for the NCAA Tournament...
(CBI).
The Washington Huskies won the regular season championship and its head coach Lorenzo Romar
Lorenzo Romar
-References:1. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FocusOnTheFamilyDailyBroadcast/~3/dnPdyF5PmG0/ffd_20110314.mp3-External links:*...
was named coach of the year.
Only three teams, Washington (#14), UCLA
2008–09 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team
The 2008–09 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team opened the season on November 3 when it took on Cal Baptist in an exhibition game in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins participated in the 2K Sports Classic, Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series, and the John R...
(#17) and Arizona State (#19), finished the season in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. They were #15, #18, and #19 respectively in the "AP Top 25
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
" polls. However, in the final post-NCAA tournament coaches' poll, Arizona was also ranked, coming in at #24, behind Washington (#16), UCLA (#18) and Arizona State (#19).
Pre-season
Mike MontgomeryMike Montgomery
Mike Montgomery is an American college basketball coach and the current head coach of the California Golden Bears men's basketball team. He was also the men's basketball coach of at Stanford from 1986 to 2004 and at the University of Montana for eight seasons prior to coaching at Stanford...
, who was previously the head coach of the Stanford Cardinal
Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal is the nickname of the athletic teams at Stanford University.-Nickname and mascot history:Following its win over Cal in the first-ever Big Game in 1892, the color cardinal was picked as the primary color of Stanford's athletic teams...
, came back to college coaching with the California Golden Bears
California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
. Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson (basketball coach)
Craig Malcolm Robinson is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Oregon State University. He was previously the head coach at Brown University. He was a star forward as a player at Princeton University in the early 1980s and a bond trader during the...
, President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's brother-in-law, became the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers
The Oregon State Beavers is a name shared by all sports teams at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers are part of the Pacific-12 Conference . Oregon State's mascot is Benny the Beaver...
. Lute Olson
Lute Olson
Robert Luther "Lute" Olson is a retired American men's basketball coach. He was most recently head coach at the University of Arizona for a period of 25 years. He was also head coach at the University of Iowa for 9 years and California State University, Long Beach for one season...
retired from Arizona
Arizona Wildcats men's basketball
The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich...
and Russ Pennell
Russ Pennell
-References:...
took over.
Pac-10 teams participated in the Pac-10/Big 12 Series. They also took part in other pre-season tournament games, including the 2K Sports Classic
Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic
The Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic is an annual college basketball tournament played in November at the beginning of the season...
, and the John R. Wooden Classic
John R. Wooden Classic
The John R. Wooden Classic is an annual season-opening men's college basketball competition. Four teams compete in one round of play. The Classic is not considered a tournament since it does not include a championship or consolation game.-History:...
in the Honda Center. Oregon Ducks
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks refers to the sports teams of the University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon. The Oregon Ducks are part of the Pacific-12 Conference in the Division 1 of the NCAA. With seventeen varsity teams, the Oregon Ducks are best known for their football team and Track and Field...
played in the Maui Invitational Tournament
Maui Invitational Tournament
The Maui Invitational Tournament is an annual early-season college basketball tournament that takes place Thanksgiving Week in Lahaina, Hawaii at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, which participates yearly along with a field of seven...
and Washington State Cougars
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
were there at the Legends Classic.
Conference games
Washington was first in scoring offense and rebounding offense, while Washington State was first in scoring defense and free throw percentage in conference games. UCLA was on top in scoring margin, field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage.Arizona led the conference in attendance with a total of 232,576 in 17 games, averaging 13,681 (14,545 capacity).
Conference tournament
USC, the #6 seed team, won the 2009 Pacific Life Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament2009 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2009 Pacific Life Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament began with the first round on March 11, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, with quarterfinals on March 12, semifinals on March 13, and the finals on March 14...
at the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on March 14, in front of a crowd of 16,988. The team defeated #4 seed Arizona State and won the school's first tournament championship. It was also the first time a team seeded sixth in the tournament went on to win the championship. The Trojans received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA National Tournament.
Post season
Six Pac-10 teams participated in the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
. Five teams won their first round games, but only Arizona played in the regional semi-finals. The Wildcats lost to Louisville 103–64.
Oregon State and Stanford played in the College Basketball Invitational
2009 College Basketball Invitational
The 2009 College Basketball Invitational was a single-elimination tournament of 16 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams that did not participate in the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament or the 2009 National Invitation Tournament. The opening round began...
(CBI). Oregon State defeated Stanford (65–62) in over-time in the semi-finals and played UTEP
UTEP Miners
The UTEP Miners is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Texas at El Paso. Informally, the UTEP Miners have also been referred to as the Miners, UTEP, or Texas-El Paso. UTEP was a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 1967 to 2005, when they joined Rice, Tulsa, and SMU in...
for the championship in a best of three-game series. Oregon State won the CBI
2009 College Basketball Invitational
The 2009 College Basketball Invitational was a single-elimination tournament of 16 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I teams that did not participate in the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament or the 2009 National Invitation Tournament. The opening round began...
title by winning the first and third games over UTEP.
Highlights and notes
At the end of March 2009, Washington StateWashington State Cougars
The Washington State Cougars are the athletic teams at Washington State University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Washington State University is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I...
head coach Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett (basketball)
Anthony "Tony" Guy Bennett is an American college basketball coach and current head coach for the University of Virginia Cavaliers men's team. Previously, he played professionally for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets and was later head coach at Washington State University...
announced that he was leaving Washington State
Washington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
to take the head coaching job at Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
. Ken Bone
Ken Bone
-Coaching career:Bone graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1983. He was an assistant coach at Shorecrest HS in Shoreline, WA and Cal State Stanislaus before returning to Seattle Pacific as an assistant coach in 1986, becoming the head coach in 1990...
, formerly with Portland State, takes over.
On March 31, 2009, UCLA's senior point guard Darren Collison
Darren Collison
Darren Michael Collison is an American professional basketball point guard for the Indiana Pacers. He was drafted 21st overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He is a right-hander and a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California...
was named the 2009 recipient of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is an annual college basketball award in the United States intended to honor shorter–than–average players who excel on the court despite their size. The award, named in honor of James Naismith's daughter–in–law, was established for men in 1969 and for women in 1984...
by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award goes to the "nation's outstanding senior male collegian 6'0" and under who has excelled both athletically and academically."
Russ Pennell
Russ Pennell
-References:...
left Arizona after a year coaching one of the country's premiere basketball programs. He coached the Wildcats to the Sweet 16
2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
, where the team lost the final game to Louisville, 103–64. USC's Tim Floyd
Tim Floyd
Tim Floyd is an American college basketball coach and the current head coach of the University of Texas at El Paso Miners men's basketball team. He is also a former head coach of several teams in both the NCAA and the NBA, most recently the University of Southern California men's college...
went to Tucson for an interview of the Arizona job, but he decided to remain at USC. Sean Miller
Sean Miller
Sean Miller is an American college basketball coach, and currently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Arizona.-Early years:...
, former Xavier coach, accepted the job on April 6.
The conference set a new attendance record with 8,541 per game, beating the 2007 record of 8,524.
All-Americans
James HardenJames Harden (basketball)
James Edward Harden, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A shooting guard, Harden played collegiate basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected 3rd overall by the Thunder in the 2009 NBA Draft...
(SG, Sophomore), of Arizona State was named to the 2009 Consensus All-America
2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
An All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
first team. He was listed on the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, the USBWA, and the Sporting News All-American lists to qualify for the "Consensus All-America".
The following players from Pac-10 were honored on the AP All American
2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
An All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
list:
First Team (Player, School, Ht, Wt, Yr, Key stats)
- James Harden, Arizona State, 6–5, 218, So., 20.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 35.8 min., 50.2 fg pct (45, 290)
Honorable mention (Player, School)
- Jon BrockmanJon BrockmanJonathan Rodney Brockman is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the starting power forward and team captain for the University of Washington men's basketball team. He is the all-time leading rebounder and 2nd all-time scorer in University of...
, Washington - Chase BudingerChase BudingerChase Andrew Budinger is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
, Arizona - Darren CollisonDarren CollisonDarren Michael Collison is an American professional basketball point guard for the Indiana Pacers. He was drafted 21st overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He is a right-hander and a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California...
, UCLA - Jordan HillJordan Hill (basketball)Jordan Craig Hill is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He was drafted 8th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks...
, Arizona
All Pac-10 teams
Regular season honors:- Player of the year – James HardenJames Harden (basketball)James Edward Harden, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A shooting guard, Harden played collegiate basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected 3rd overall by the Thunder in the 2009 NBA Draft...
, Arizona State - Freshman of the year – Isaiah ThomasIsaiah Thomas (basketball)Isaiah Thomas is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings and was taken as the final pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He is a 5 ft 9 in and 170 - 180 lb point guard. During his freshman year, he averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per...
, Washington - Defensive player of the year – Taj GibsonTaj GibsonTaj Jami Gibson is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association . Following the 2010 signing of Carlos Boozer, he has played as the second string power forward...
, USC - Most improved player of the year – Justin Dentmon, Washington
- Coach of the year – Lorenzo RomarLorenzo Romar-References:1. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FocusOnTheFamilyDailyBroadcast/~3/dnPdyF5PmG0/ffd_20110314.mp3-External links:*...
, Washington
First team (Name, School, Pos, Yr, Ht, Wt, Hometown (Last School))
- Jon Brockman, WASH, F, Sr., 6–7, 255, Snohomish, Wash. (Snohomish HS)
- Chase BudingerChase BudingerChase Andrew Budinger is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
, ARIZ, F, Jr., 6–7, 218, Encinitas, Calif. (LaCosta Canyon HS) - Patrick Christopher, CAL, G, Jr., 6–5, 215, Compton, Calif. (Dominguez HS)
- Darren CollisonDarren CollisonDarren Michael Collison is an American professional basketball point guard for the Indiana Pacers. He was drafted 21st overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He is a right-hander and a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California...
, UCLA, G, Sr., 6–0, 160, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Etiwanda HS) - Justin Dentmon, WASH, G, Sr., 5–11, 185, Carbondale, Ill. (The Winchendon School, Mass.)
- James Harden, ASU, G, So., 6–5, 218, Los Angeles, Calif. (Artesia HS)
- Jordan Hill, ARIZ, F, Jr., 6–10, 235, Atlanta, Ga. (The Patterson School, N.C.)
- Jeff PendergraphJeff PendergraphJeff Curtis Pendergraph is an American professional basketball player who was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft whose draft rights were later traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He attended Etiwanda High School in Ontario and college basketball at Arizona...
, ASU, F, Sr., 6–9, 240, Etiwanda, Calif. (Etiwanda HS) - Jerome Randle, CAL, G, Jr., 5–10, 160, Chicago, Ill. (Hales Franciscan HS)
- Taylor Rochestie, WSU, G, Sr., 6–1, 186, Santa Barbara, Calif. (Tulane)
All-Academic
The 2008–09 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball All-AcademicAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
teams (minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant contributor):
First Team (School, Year, GPA, Major)
- Aron BaynesAron BaynesAron John Baynes is an Australian basketball player who started his professional career in the Northern Hemisphere autumn of 2009 with Lietuvos Rytas, a club from Vilnius that competes in the Lithuanian league and Euroleague. In the northern spring of 2009, he completed a U.S...
, WSU, Sr., 3.24, Movement Studies - Derek Glasser, ASU, Jr., 3.14, Communications
- Daven Harmeling, WSU, Sr., 3.54, Health and Fitness Education
- Nikola Koprivica, WSU, Jr., 3.39, International Business
- Taylor Rochestie, WSU, Sr., 3.37, Communication
Second Team (School, Year, GPA, Major)
- Nikola Knezevic, CAL, Jr., 3.03, Interdisciplinary Studies
- Rihards Kuksiks, ASU, So., 3.07, Business Communications
- Roeland Schaftenaar, OSU, Jr., 3.17, Pre-Business
- Drew Shiller, STAN, Jr., 3.08, Communication
- Jordan Wilkes, CAL, Sr., 3.13, Social Welfare
Taylor Rochestie, of Washington State, was named a Pacific-10 Conference winter Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
USBWA All-District team
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association's 2008–09 Men's All-District Teams (District IX: CA, OR, WA, HI, AZ, AK):- Player of the year – James Harden, Arizona State
- Coach of the year – Craig Robinson, Oregon State
- All-District Team:
- James Harden, Arizona State
- Jon Brockman, Washington
- Darren Collison, UCLA
- Patrick Christopher, California
- Jordan Hill, Arizona
- Jerome Randle, California
- Chase Budinger, Arizona