Beyond the Box Scores - 1/26/2010
Bryant West
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: Sports
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We knew coming in to the WCC league play that the conference had at least three respectable teams - Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and Portland all proved themselves in out-of-conference play (the Zags went 11-3, the Gaels went 13-2 and Portland went 9-5). In the preseason coaches' poll, Gonzaga was picked to finish first in conference with six top votes, while Portland was picked over Saint Mary's to finish second with two votes (Whoever picked Portland over Gonzaga may need to get their head checked).
But the biggest surprise of the season has been the play of the Pepperdine Waves, who, despite having gone 3-12 in out of conference play, have gone 3-2 so far in season. The Waves trounced over LMU, Santa Clara and San Francisco to start conference play strong, but perhaps their most impressive game was the 91-84 loss to Gonzaga in Spokane. To lose by just seven to the #10/#15 Zags (still too high a ranking for Gonzaga) is exceptionally impressive, and guard Keion Bell went for 37 points, five boards, four steals and four assists. Saint Mary's visits Pepperdine next Thursday and gets their first crack against the Waves.
If Pepperdine can keep up their impressive play, that makes four legitimate teams in the WCC, which is fantastic for the conference. But it all comes down to who - if anyone - can knock off the Zags.
Tomlinson Continues Fantastic Play
Is it possible to overlook, even for a second, the play of junior Australian forward Louella Tomlinson? In the overtime contest against the Toreros this week, Tomlinson had 17 points, 12 boards, seven assists and four blocks in 45 minutes of play - yeah, 45 minutes. She was on the court the entire game.
She's first in the conference in scoring (17.2), second in boards (9.7), first in the conference in field goal percentage (59.6%) and first in the nation in blocks (6.9).
But Tomlinson couldn't do it alone, and strong team play is the main reason the Gaels are second in conference standings at 4-1. Still, having a dominant center inside makes everything easier.
Colts, Saints to meet in Super Bowl
For the first time since 1993 the two top seeded NFL teams will play in the Super Bowl.
Colts QB Payton Manning and Saints QB Drew Brees duking it out - you couldn't have asked for a better matchup.
Manning proved again to be a well oiled machine and took over late in the Colts win against the New York Jets. Brees however spent a lot of his matchup with the Vikings back peddling, and wasn't as confident looking as he'd been all season. While the Colts will probably win this matchup of titans, it would be wonderful to see New Orleans get their first Superbowl win.
But the second the Superbowl is over, it'll go back to the Brett Farve show. He may have ended it himself when he threw an interception with just seven seconds to play against the Saints. Is he coming back for another year? Is he done? You can never be sure. Hopefully Brett does the right thing and walks away - and stays away this time. You gotta leave the NFL to the under 40 year olds, Brett.