Trent Johnson, 2008 conference coach of the year, accepted the top job at LSU, leaving the Cardinal with a vacancy and even more change after its best season since Mike Montgomery left in 2004.
The move was considered a bit of a surprise, but predicting the future in the Pac-10 isn't a winning proposition. Four of five first-team all-conference picks -- Arizona State's James Harden is the lone returnee -- who hasn't expressed intentions to enter the NBA draft.
To that end, there was little question about the future of Brook Lopez -- the 7-foot forward almost certainly has played his final game as a college player.
Lopez had 26 points and 10 rebounds in the season-ending loss to Texas, but he wasn't ready to announce his future plans.
A few days later, Robin Lopez, himself a 7-foot sophomore, and Brook Lopez declared for the NBA draft.
Brook Lopez, projected as an NBA lottery pick, was easily the top individual performer for Stanford.
The high school standouts from Fresno arrived at Stanford in lockstep and will depart Palo Alto much the same way. Brook Lopez was a third-team All-American, with averages of 19.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
According to their mother, Deb Ledford, Brook and Robin Lopez will hire agents and not return for another season.
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Hey guys, I'm trying to set up a sim league starting next season, where a simulator plays out the game and gives you realistic scores and stuff, and your Cardinal are still available! If you are interested or have any questions feel free to e-mail me at dosegorillaz@aim.com.
OK! Enough excitement and shakeup. Shoot off any ideas you might have for Bowslby about rebuilding the men's basketball team. Oh, and feel free to express thoughts on our chances next year in the PAC-10 with a freshman coach and a Lopez-less team. I for one am not against poaching Cal for Monty back, you know Bowslby could say something like this to Barbour:
I thought for sure Robin was going to stay 1 more year but both Robin and Brook anounced they're going pro.... This sucks, we have no big guys for next year.
I have Stanford going to the final four in 3/6 boards and I have really grown to like them. My colleagues are laughing at me saying they have no chance against Texas but that is about the end of their argument. From the games that I have watched them play, I was very impressed but since 6 PM Central time Thursday I haven't heard the end of it. Please remind me why Stanford is going to beat the tar
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Right now I'm looking at my bracket and I think Stanford has a legit shot to make the final four. The way I see it working out is you guys beat Cornell, Marquette, Texas, and Pitt. You know your team better than I do, is this reasonable or am I completely insane? I just think that with your strong inside game you can hang with the big boys and surprise some people...
