We have very few questions, however, about sophomore Patty Mills, star of the Australian Olympic team last summer in Beijing. Mills had 27 points, six steals and five assists against Fresno in an eye-popping performance that convinces us he belongs in elite company.

Yes, he may be the best player in the Bay Area this season.

More than that, we'd place him among the top five Bay Area point guards of the past 25 years.

He's not better than Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Kevin Johnson or Brevin Knight, but he seems ready to join their company.

Mills' game has a few blemishes. He's yet to prove himself consistently as a half-court floor leader. He can be a streaky shooter. He sometimes plays too fast.

But fast is what separates him, and Gaels coach Randy Bennett got no argument when he suggested Mills may be the fastest player in college Basketball.

"He's phenomenal in a game like that," said Bennett, aware that most teams won't make the mistake Fresno did by trying to run with the Gaels. (Saint Mary's had 55 points at halftime, 86 with almost nine minutes left).

Mills is a clever, opportunistic defender, always looking to take advantage of his quick hands. He makes the no-look pass, the Nash-esque underhand driving scoop shot, and his jump-shot release is quick enough to compensate for his barely 6-foot height.

"Jason Kidd, you couldn't scout him," Bennett said. "Patty's a little like that. All you can do is say, 'Watch out for 13. He plays the ball.'"?"

DENTING THE PAC: The perception that the Pac-10 is down this season wasn't helped by three disturbing results this past week.

Washington's loss at Portland is one more reason why Pac-10 coaches are reluctant to schedule road games with midmajor opponents.

Oregon State's defeat at Howard, which was 6-26 last year including a 70-point loss to Duquesne, proves that new OSU coach Craig Robinson's famous White House relatives won't be as much help as next year's recruiting class.

And Oregon's home loss Monday to Oakland completes a home-and-home sweep the past two seasons by the Detroit area squad from the Summit League. If this was an attempt to solidify Midwest recruiting, can't imagine it helped much.

ON THE OTHER HAND: Mississippi Valley State may want to rethink playing Pac-10 teams. Jerry Rice's alma mater is 0-4 against the Pac-10 the past two seasons, losing by an average of more than 38 points while totaling more turnovers (58) than baskets (57).

In particular, two matchups against Washington State have not gone well. The Cougars prevailed 71-26 a year ago, then 76-25 last week.

NO PRETENSE: Former Cal center Darrall Imhoff said the late Pete Newell's down-to-earth nature set him apart from other coaches in his career.

Imhoff recalled the time during his NBA career when he was with the Lakers and they played an exhibition game in Mojave. After the team stopped at a pizza joint on its drive back to Los Angeles, Imhoff tried to get the attention of his coach, Butch van Breda Kolff.

"Hey Butch," Imhoff called out across the restaurant.

Van Breda Kolff frowned, then approached Imhoff. "When we're in a group like this, don't call me Butch. Call me Coach or Mr. van Breda Kolff," he said, scolding Imhoff. "What did you call Coach Newell when you played at Cal?"

"I called him Pete," Imhoff recalled.

And that was the last time the subject ever came up.

Contact Jeff Faraudo at jeffscribe@aol.com.Local honor rollThe best performances during the past week by Bay Area products playing Division I Basketball elsewhere around the country:RYAN SILVA: The sophomore guard from De La Salle High scored a career-high 17 points for UC Davis in a loss to Milwaukee. KAREEM NITOTO: A sophomore guard from San Leandro High, Nitoto averaged 10 points in three games for Hawaii, including a career-high 14 in a loss to USF. MIKE EDWARDS: A junior from Tracy High, the 6-11 center had 10 points and four rebounds in his Division I debut for Sacramento State against Fresno State. CORY HIGGINS: The Colorado sophomore guard, formerly of Monte Vista High, had 12 points, six rebounds and six assists vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, then had 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists vs. Montana State. ETHAN NIEDERMEYER: The junior forward from De La Salle delivered a career-best 14 points and had five rebounds in Portland's upset of Washington. He also scored 12 points vs. Portland State.-- Jeff Faraudo