ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Cindy Oparah

Women’s basketball

Oparah, a walk-on, scored 19 points and got 18 rebounds in victories over Boise State and Idaho last week. Oparah, a freshman forward, had scored only 13 points in her previous eight games. She had 10 points and eight rebounds against Boise State and nine points and 10 rebounds against Idaho.

THIS WEEK

Men’s basketball: Sometimes it’s not what is said, but what’s not said. Forward Ben Jones missed all seven shots against Boise State and was one for six against Idaho. It’s not the first time he has vanished. Asked why it happens, Coach Pat Douglass said, “I don’t know.” Asked what needs to be done, Douglass merely shrugged. Irvine hosts Pacific Thursday and Long Beach State Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

Women’s basketball: Point guard Megan Stafford is only five assists shy of the Irvine career record. She has 346 in less than three seasons, second only to Erin Higashi (1982-86). Irvine has a key week, traveling to Pacific Friday (7 p.m.) and Long Beach State Sunday (2 p.m.). The Anteaters are in second place in the Big West Conference’s Western Division

Women’s tennis: The Anteaters open the season at USC at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Men’s tennis: Irvine opens the season with the Atrium Anteater Quad Saturday and Sunday. Northern Arizona, Fairleigh Dickinson and Gonzaga also will compete.