The Week (nov. 27-dec. 3)

WEST

" Tucson, Tucson," chanted the fans at the Las Vegas Convention Center. What caused the frenzy was that Nevada-Las Vegas was shredding San Francisco much as it had done at the NCAA regional in Tucson two years ago when the Rebels won 121-95. This time Vegas was a 117-82 victor. The Rebels' frisky offense was spurred on by 6'6" freshman Michael (Spiderman) Burns' 21 points and by Earl Evans' 19 points and 13 rebounds. Vegas was also a terror on defense, its full-court press producing 38 turnovers—11 on steals—that led to 37 points. The Dons got 31 points and 22 rebounds from Bill Cartwright, but had to play without 6'8" Guy Williams, who had pneumonia. San Francisco won two earlier games, beating Chico State 77-53 and California 76-67.

UCLA's senior backcourt combination of Brad Holland and Roy Hamilton was too much for Santa Clara. Holland, a substitute until this season, played his finest game as he sank nine of 11 shots and produced 20 points, nine assists and two steals. Hamilton had his normal dazzling statistics: 24 points, nine assists and six steals.

Southern Cal, striving to overcome its billing as Los Angeles' "other" team, began its season with two home wins. Down 48-47 at halftime against Houston, the Trojans rallied for an 88-80 victory. Against Utah, USC broke to a 12-4 lead and cruised to a 70-56 victory as the Trojans kept the Utes off balance with a 3-2 zone that limited hot-shooting Danny Vranes to nine points.

Long Beach State, which had jolted Texas the week before, came up with a second upset, stunning Cincinnati 84-72.

Arizona State took the Fiesta Classic by trimming San Jose State 89-74 and out-gunning New Mexico 104-100.

Nevada-Reno beat Pan American 83-69.

1. UCLA (3-0)
2. USC (2-0)
3. NEVADA- LAS VEGAS (2-0)

MIDWEST

Three of the week's biggest upsets were perpetrated in the Midwest, and two of the victims were Big Eight teams. Iowa State journeyed to Creighton, where the Bluejays pulled off a 55-54 shocker as John C. Johnson scored 16 points. Nebraska, bewildered by a Purdue defense that alternated from man-to-man to a zone, was jarred 58-47 by the Boilermakers. The Huskers didn't score for the first 6:35 of the second half and went 3:54 down the stretch without a point. Earlier. Nebraska pierced Minnesota's zone for a 58-48 win.