By Don Smalley
DSN Contributor
January 7, 2008

After watching the first weekend of action in Pac-10 men’s basketball, I’ve learned and noticed a few of things.

No gimmes

This league proved just in the first weekend that there are no easy games and no one is to be taken lightly.

One just had to go to the state of Arizona to see this as proof. Oregon went to Tempe and played horribly and the result was a loss. Everyone wants a split on the road in this league and when it comes to the desert, Arizona State has always been the best shot at a win. But when the Ducks dropped a game to the Devils on Thursday, that split became unlikely, or at least history says so. But Oregon picked itself up, played a tremendous game and beat the Wildcats in Tucson and got that all-important split. Phew.

Arizona also proved that no team is to be taken lightly. Before the season started, I believe the Beavers would be the first Pac-10 school to go 0-18 in league play. But after watching most of their games this weekend, I might change that idea. The Beavers do play hard and they try. The talent level is well below the other nine teams, but they do try. I can’t say that for Arizona the last 90 seconds of the Oregon game. They quit.

A Love-fest

I’ve only seen bits and pieces of Kevin Love’s game over the past few years. I’ve just heard how great he is. I took people at their word. I’m sure he is great, but UCLA and the Pac-10 is vastly different from Lake Oswego. But he really impressed me Saturday. Cal has some good big men in Anderson and Hardin and Love was the best post player on the floor. Love also handled Stanford’s Brook and Robin Lopez. He is a great passer and he can knock down the three. He’s just has a good basketball sense.

Meet the Parents

Fox Sports really needs to stop showing players’ parents in the stands while the game is going on. I quickly got sick of seeing the Lopez twins’ mom in the stands during the UCLA game. Also, I don’t want to see any more of Chase Budinger’s crying because his little golden boy didn’t get a call or Stan Love’s smirk because he knows how great his kid is.

First weekend at Mac

It should be an exciting weekend at Mac Court. The kids will be back, the Pit Crew will be in full force. I look for Oregon to beat Cal, but have its hands full Sunday against the Cardinal. It’ll be a close game.

Tags: Basketball, Ducks, oregon