The Week (jan. 28-feb. 3)

Most WAC teams have used slowdown tactics against speedy Brigham Young. It therefore came as a surprise when Texas-El Paso Coach Don Haskins, a noted advocate of deliberate play, told his Miners to run with the Cougars. UTEP ran well, but Danny Ainge got 25 points and Alan Taylor 20 for an 89-80 BYU win. New Mexico, too, put up a battle—until its top three scorers fouled out, allowing the Cougars, with Fred Roberts scoring 25 points, to pull away to an 89-68 victory. Kenny Page of the Lobos, who had 36 points at BYU, had another big game in vain, scoring 32 as New Mexico lost 77-68 to Utah.

Idaho and Boise State, which both took Weber State into overtime before losing early January Big Sky contests, again gave the Wildcats fits. Anticipating another delay game by Idaho, Weber Coach Neil McCarthy said, "It's important that we start off well." His Wildcats didn't heed that advice, missing their first seven shots. After a first half in which the two teams combined for only 24 points, the Vandals, up by six, came out of their freeze with six minutes left and won 51-45 to put an end to the Wildcats' 18-game winning streak. Boise State Guard Dave Williams scored 29 points, but after the Broncos missed the last shot in regulation time, Weber State took command and came out on top 79-73 in overtime.

1. OREGON STATE (20-2)
2. ARIZONA STATE (16-4)
3. BYU (17-4)