- As if losing David Foster for the year wasn’t enough for the Utah Utes, Aaron Dotson broke his foot in practice yesterday and is scheduled to be out for four to six weeks. Although Dotson hasn’t played for the Utes yet in his career since he transferred from LSU, he was still going to be an integral part of this revamped Utah team. Dotson was projected to be a starter for Larry Krystkowiak and would have provided some immediate talent that the Utes didn’t have at the guard and forward spots last year. He was poised to have a great season for Utah and was prepared to pick up the scoring void. However, not all is lost, as Dotson should be back in December just prior to conference play.
- Unlike the traditional team scrimmages that most of the Pac-12 teams had to start off their college basketball season, Mike Montgomery and California decided to go in a different direction. The Golden Bears hosted an outdoor event on Saturday along with the women’s basketball team as they introduced both squads to their fans. Players ran through drills on an outdoor court with an outdoor hoop and were available for autographs afterward. It was a very casual event and an interesting decision at first glance. The mid-day start time and outdoor venue weren’t the typical setting for an opening basketball event, but since they held it prior to the Big Game against Stanford, they were able to get ample support.
- As mentioned in yesterday’s Morning Five, the Arizona Wildcats held its Blue and Red game this past Sunday, and the expected players (Nick Johnson, Mark Lyons, and Kevin Parrom) stood out, but a surprise player was Grant Jerrett. Jerrett had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the game, and yes it’s just a scrimmage, but it will be bad news for the rest of the Pac-12 if Jerrett can contribute right away along with the expected inputs of Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley, the two other incoming freshmen in their big man trio.
- It still looks bleak in Westwood with respect to player eligibility. On Sunday, the attorney of Shabazz Muhammad spoke out about the allegations against his client, essentially stating that they are unclear on what the NCAA is looking into. Furthermore, there’s been no discussion of timeline with the NCAA which means that that the UCLA staff has no idea what to expect about his or teammate Kyle Anderson’s eligibility. With the Bruin program unveiling a statue of the legendary Wizard of Westwood soon followed by an unveiling of a newly-renovated Pauley Pavilion, the renaissance season that so many UCLA fans were hoping for may be more window dressing than substance.
- USC held its first practice open to the public this past Saturday and all signs point to a much better season this year. Jio Fontan, who sat out all last year with an injury, is back and ready to make an impact and the numerous transfers that USC has on the team this year should make for an interesting dynamic. The Trojans are still awaiting to see if 7’2″ Omar Oraby, a transfer from Rice, will be declared eligible before the season. Either way, all these transfers have chips on their shoulders and want to prove to everyone around them that they will make the most of their second chance. Ultimately, USC will be able to make a case for an NCAA Tournament run, but all of Kevin O’Neill’s transfers must take advantage of their new life in Troy.