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Bracey
continued from page 1C
an impact player. He patiently sat
on the bench for about 25 minutes a
game in his first year at Oregon after
transferring from Malcolm X Junior
College in Chicago, 111. He under
stood that Smith was the veteran
and deserved his 30-35 minutes per
game.
But with Smith gone, Bracey has
showcased his variety of skills. His
team-leading scoring average has
gone up 12 points to 20.3 per game
while his team-leading rebounding
average has been upped by four to
7.5 per game.
In fact, Bracey’s 28-point outing
in Oregon’s victory against Oregon
State last Saturday was Bracey’s
seventh 20-point performance in
the past 11 games. In that game he
admitted that he was “just feeling
it,” as he scored 24 points in the sec
ond half to lead his team to victory.
“My teammates talked to me [at
halftime] and said, ‘We need you,”’
Bracey said. “I knew that I had to
help my team in order to win. ”
“Before the season, he said,
‘Coach, you’re going to see, I’m go
ing to have some 30-point games,”
Oregon head coach Ernie Kent said
of Bracey, who did record a career
high 31 points against Auburn on
Dec. 16. “When he goes to that level
that he went to [against OSU], he
just gives us an enormous amount
of confidence.”
During the summer, Bracey com
peted in Chicago in a league with
many talented collegiate and NBA
players. Bracey keeps it no secret
that he wants to take his game to the
pro level, and he is gaining believ
ers every week.
“I think he has an excellent future
at the next level,” Oregon State head
coach Ritchie McKay said after his
team’s loss. “He’s a terrific player and
a hard match-up because he’s really a
perimeter player. Bryan has so much
confidence and is one of the best of
fensive players in the league. ”
While the future may indeed be
bright for Bracey, his maturity and
growth is evident in his team-first
mentality of thinking. He now speaks
words reserved for true team leaders.
“We gotta take it game-by-game
and showcase ourselves,” said
Bracey, who can be seen on a 40
foot poster on the southwest comer
of McArthur Court. “We’re not a lost
basketball team after losing those
three great seniors last year. Every
one expected us to be at the bottom
of the conference and our goal is to
prove everyone wrong.”
Thus far, his 10-1 Ducks are do
ing just that.
Men's Preview
continued from page 6C
record shows the Bears’ weakness.
The Golden Bears, unless they can
win a few key games outside of
Berkeley, might be headed back to
the NIT in 2000-01.
7. Oregon State
Last year: 13-16 Head coach:
Ritchie McKay (1st season) Player
to watch: Deaundra Tanner, G
The Beavers showed flashes of
good basketball in their conference
opener against Oregon, but flashes
won’t win games in the Pac-10. Ore
gon State’s starters all average 25 min
utes per game or more, while the top
bench player averages just over six
points per game. If Oregon State can
get good bench play, and if the team’s
starters can stay out of fatigue and
foul trouble, the Beavers could sur
prise a few of the Pac-lO’s elite teams.
8. Arizona State
Last year: 19-13 (NIT second
round) Head coach: Rob Evans (3rd
season) Player to watch: Awvee
Storey, G/F
The Sim Devils made an impres
sive run to the NIT last season, but
won’t be so fortunate this year. Los
ing your all-time leading scorer —
Eddie House, in ASU’s case —
won’t help. Unless Arizona State
can find some offense soon — it av
erages 75.1 points on the season —
it won’t be able to compete with
anyone in the Pac-10 except Wash
ington and Washington State.
9. Washington State
Last year: 6-22 Head coach: Paul
Graham (2nd season) Player to
watch: Mike Bush, G
The Cougars have been the Pac
10’s worst team for three years, but
their luck may change this season
with a little help from in-state rivals
Washington. WSU scored 59 and 57
points in their conference home
openers against USC and UCLA last
week. But it will probably be anoth
er long season for the men from
Pullman.
10. Washington
Last year: 10-20 Head coach: Bob
Bender (8th season) Player to
watch: Thalo Green, F
The Huskies started the 2000-01
season 6-4, and looked mediocre at
best. Then came losses to California
Irvine and San Diego by a combined
19 points, and Washington headed
into the Pac-10 season downtrodden.
The Huskies then lost to UCLA 86-64
and USC 87-61, making the trip to a
successful season look even more
bleak.