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Wildcats nab honors

For the third time this season, members of the Arizona men's and women's basketball teams dominated the Pacific 10 Conference during the same series, earning them the honor of being named players of the week.

Junior center Loren Woods and senior guard Felicity Willis both had weekends to remember as Woods tied an NCAA record in blocked shots with 14 and Willis sparked the UA women's team to its first road sweep of the Oregon schools in 10 years.

Perhaps one of the most glaring statistics of the weekend was that Woods blocked 15 shots, while recording only four fouls in the two games.

"I did a good job this weekend of dodging a lot of fouls especially with a lot of guys just trying to go right into my chest," Woods said.

"I just kind of did everything I was taught ever since I learned how to play basketball as far as blocking shots - being the second man off the floor and getting in a good position to where I wouldn't have to go across a guy's body to block a shot."

Woods didn't just set records during the weekend. He also helped the Wildcats to two victories against the Oregon schools by averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 blocks and 2.5 assists per game.

The honor is the second of the season for Woods and 48th all-time for the Wildcats.

Woods is also just one award shy of matching the amount of times Arizona State's senior guard Eddie House has won the award in the 2000 season. House held a stranglehold on the award for three straight weeks from Jan. 2 through Jan. 18 before Woods took it away from him on Jan. 24.

"I am happy to see Loren getting recognized for his weekend's work," UA head coach Lute Olson said.

"He is really playing well right now, and we are going to need more performances like that from him the rest of the way."

The award for Willis, on the other hand, was the first of her four-year career at Arizona and the 19th selection all-time for an Arizona player.

Three other UA players have been named the Pac-10 conference's player of the week this season - senior forward Tatum Brown, senior guard Lisa Griffith and sophomore forward Elizabeth Pickney.

Willis averaged 11 points, 7.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent (5-of-11) from the field and 83 percent (10-of-12) from the free throw line during the two games.

Willis scored a season- and game-high 19 points in the Wildcats victory against the Oregon Ducks last Thursday night, which helped the women's squad snap the Ducks' 19-game home winning streak.

In the final 1:20 of the game, Willis was 7-of-8 from the free throw line, sealing the 73-66 victory.

Dan Rosen can be reached at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.