Freshman Swillis Left to Sit and Wonder

Shannon Swillis is among the Pac-10 Conference leaders in blocked shots and rebounds and Coach Henry Bibby has praised the 6-foot-5 forward. Before the UCLA game Wednesday, Bibby said, “He has played his butt off for us this season. We’ve played him against some guys five and six inches taller and he’s done a great job.”

But in the last two games, Swillis has played a total of 19 minutes and scored two points. He was in for only six minutes against the Bruins.

“I don’t know why I’m not playing more,” said Swillis, a redshirt freshman from Fresno. “Bibby might be looking for someone who can score more points. He says he’s happy with my play. . . . All I know is that I want to help the team and if he wants me to play 40 minutes, I will. If he wants me to sit 40 minutes, I’ll do that too.”