The great explosions of stars known as novas, seed vast regions of space, providing the material that eventually forms into new stars, planets, and everything we know. You and I are made of star stuff. The heavier elements are created in novas.

In the Pac-10 after last season, there were two super novas as the basketball programs at Arizona and then USC exploded. Arizona's eruption came as a delayed reaction after Lute Olson was forced to retire after it became obvious that the effects of a stroke would prevent him from continuing his coaching career.

An outstanding recruiting class, committed to Olson, was blown apart and UCLA was right in the middle of recruiting battles for two potential future stars. Abdul Gaddy chose to stay near home and play point guard for Washington while Mike Moser decided to learn and play for Ben Howland at UCLA.

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