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FROM EUGENE — Arrived at Matthew Knight Arena a bit early so we could look around and shoot some video. We have that posted below, along with some additional thoughts.

Out of town for several hours last night, slept in this morning and woke up with the realization I forgot to post my short advance of the Gonzaga-LMU game. All I can say is: My fault for not getting this post up sooner.

Here's a quick look at the Lions. It'll be interesting to see if GU can summon the emotion and intensity it had for 40 minutes in Thursday's win over Saint Mary's against a confident LMU squad.

In the preview I mention that a $681,000 check from Mark and Marcy Few's Coaches vs. Cancer event last summer will be presented to the American Cancer Society. This will not be the normal check-passing ceremony you've seen dozens of times on the evening news.

The check will be accepted on behalf of the ACS by Jo Lynn Chastain, mother of 11-year-old Brandon Bird, the avid Zags fan who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. GU players and staff visited Bird in the hospital prior to Thanksgiving and he visited practice in mid-December. While the team watched video in the locker room and Brandon took pictures at center court, I spoke to Jo Lynn for a few minutes about Brandon's journey and came away floored by her and her son's courage, and I just about lost it (my daughter had undergone surgery the day before).

I'm told Brandon still communicates with the team and continues to follow the Zags despite his failing health. Below, I posted my short article on Brandon from Dec. 15th. I'm hoping the check-passing ovation is the loudest of the day.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

I can't prove it, because I'm not a computer doctor, but I'm afraid my computer-machine-thingee caught a virus over the past few days. Running hot, battery problems, slow to get moving. Yep, all the earmarks. But after a day spent reloading the system file and downloading the newest versions of my favorite software – by favorite, I mean most used; there is no value judgment here concerning anyone's products – my machine is back in fine fettle. Which means I can return to writing my drivel for you. Read on.

Idaho coach Don Verlin will tell you the last week has been great for the Vandals. But it won't be nearly as sweet if they slip-up tonight.

Read on.

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FROM EUGENE — WSU can play the role of spoiler today against the Ducks, who are still in the Pac-12 title hunt. We have some links to pass along as we preview another Saturday in the Pac-12.

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FROM EUGENE — Highlight of the day: eating at a Sonic Drive-In — there's one in nearby Springfield — for the first time. Worth it. Also, we have some basketball notes as the Cougars prepare to face Oregon tomorrow. Read on.

Attached above is a brief video interview I did Thursday with Central Valley girls basketball coach Freddie Rehkow.

NOTE: The North Central boys go to Mt. Spokane on Saturday in a play-in game to see which team goes to No. 2 seed Shadle Park on Tuesday in a District 8 3A opener. Tipoff Saturday at Mt. Spokane is 7:30.

Caught a double-feature this morning. I watched the second half of the GU-Saint Mary's game (I took in the first half at 1:30 a.m. before the eyes gave out) and then caught the last 7 minutes of GU-SMC from 2009 on ESPNU(Zags 72-70 in Moraga — pretty good five on the floor with Pargo, Bouldin, Downs, Daye and Heytvelt; an injured Patty Mills on SMC's bench).

I told several people last night that the first 30 minutes of Thursday's game was as high-level as any I've seen at the Kennel in five years. Raucous atmosphere, two top 20 teams playing well, fiercely contested, great individual efforts. And then GU played even better, continuing to get quality shots and muzzling SMC's offense en route to a 73-59 victory.

There were two prominent story angles: I went with GU's freshmen duo — Kevin Pangos scored 27, Gary Bell Jr. 12 — in the game story, John Blanchette addressed GU's toughness in his column. Photos by Dan Pelle here. More coverage by CBSSports.com's Jeff Goodman, San Jose Mercury News and A.P. Goodman had a follow-up this morning detailing why he believes Mark Few will never leave Spokane.

Elsewhere, San Diego won again (Bill Grier may be doing the best coaching job of his career), LMU shot down Portland and USF's Cody Doolin had a heated exchange with coach Rex Walters and carried the Dons past Santa Clara.

Read on for my day-after post.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

OK, I'll admit it. I picked St. Mary's to win last night. When asked my choice on the Patchin, Lukens and Osso radio show (featuring Vince Grippi), I went with the Gaels. What was I thinking? Well, read on and I'll tell you.

Let the scoreboard watching begin. Well, let it continue, since we do it all the time. Eastern wasn't playing last night, but was more than an interested bystander as the rest of the Big Sky Conference was in action. And while EWU's next opponent, Weber State, and Montana clinched first-round byes last night in the Big Sky Tournament, the rest of the six-team field is unsettled. In fact it's downright unsettling, expecially if your name is Montana State.

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FROM CORVALLIS — It's just about time to head to Eugene, but first, we have our usual Friday day-after-but-also-day-between-games post with links, a Pac-12 roundup and some more quotes from last night's WSU win. Read on.

The atmosphere inside the McCarthey Athletic Center was electric Thursday and the game lived up to the hype for 30 minutes. Gonzaga, behind freshmen guards Kevin Pangos (27 points) and Gary Bell Jr. (12 points), pulled away in the final 10 minutes to register a 73-59 victory over first-place Saint Mary's.

Gonzaga improved to 19-4, 9-2 in the WCC. The loss snapped Saint Mary's 12-game winning streak. The Gaels dropped to 22-3, 11-1.

Here's a link to my game story that will run in Friday's S-R. Here's Dan Pelle's photo gallery (highly recommended) and I'll post John Blanchette's column in the a.m. Check back tomorrow for my day-after post.

At this time last Thursday the Vandals appeared to have major issues. Since then, all they've done is post two of the most impressive wins by a WAC team in conference play this year.

Thursday night, Idaho came back for a thrilling 59-58 victory over second-place New Mexico State. Read on for more about the surging Vandals.

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FROM CORVALLIS — It'll be a happy bus ride from here to Eugene tonight, as the Cougars put together perhaps their best team effort of the season in an 83-73 win at Gill Coliseum. Read on for our game in review.

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FROM CORVALLIS — We've arrived at Gill Coliseum — one of the more unremarkable venues in the conference, yet a trip I always enjoy nonetheless — for tonight's contest between the Cougars and Oregon State (7 p.m., no TV). As usual, we have some notes and thoughts in our pre-game post below. Read on.

Click the menu below to see our prep offerings today. Pictured above is standout student and athlete Aleisha Hathaway of Shadle Park, the subject of my feature today.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Yep, it's Rivalry Thursday in Spokane. The best rivalry on the West Coast (that's your opinion, as per our poll from yesterday) is about to tipoff the second of what may be three matchups this seasons. Tonight's edition comes from the McCarthey Athletic Center, home of the loudest, rowdiest, most intimidating crowd in the West Coast Conference. Or is it? That's what I'm asking you to decide today in our poll (with a hat tip to Jim Meehan, who made the suggestion when we were chatting on the radio yesterday afternoon). Read on.

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FROM CORVALLIS — It was a long day of travel on Wednesday, but we're safely in Corvallis and have our usual morning post for you. Read on.

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FROM CORVALLIS — We're in Oregon for the basketball games this weekend, but wanted to pass along a partial transcript of our conversation with defensive coordinator Mike Breske last week. Read on.

Less than 24 hours before the Gonzaga-Saint Mary's showdown at the MAC. The Bulldogs' 11-year rule of the WCC is in jeopardy as GU (18-4, 8-2 WCC) trails the Gaels (22-2, 11-0) as the regular season winds down. That was the topic of my article that will run in Thursday's S-R. Here's the link.

Below, you'll find a quick glance at the GU-SMC matchup and a couple of notes that will appear in tomorrow's college basketball notebook.