Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

SportsLink

Will tonight be WSU’s last chance?

DeAngelo Casto makes sure Cal’s Patrick Christopher doesn’t get to the basket. (Associated Press)
DeAngelo Casto makes sure Cal’s Patrick Christopher doesn’t get to the basket. (Associated Press)
COUGARS

It's hard to believe this could be the final day of Washington State University men's basketball for the 2009-2010 season. But that is a possibility should the Cougars lose tonight. Is there still a chance of postseason play, of say a CBI bid? Sure. But the possibility became less and less realistic with each defeat as the season wound down. Another loss tonight might just put an ax in WSU's year. We'll see. Read on.
••••••••••

• Washington State: We had our advance in today's paper, along with a sidebar on the tournament itself which I can't find on-line but posted yesterday. ... Freelancer Howie Stalwick has a column in the Kitsap Sun defending coach Ken Bone and an advance in the Olympian. ... From the Ducks' point of view, the news about Ernie Kent's departure is everywhere, while P.J. Carlesimo would like to be considered. ... The Ducks feel they need to win the Pac-10 Tournament to keep playing. ... Finding the right coach won't be easy for Oregon, the Register-Guard's George Schroeder writes. ... The All-Pac-10 media honors for the women were announced yesterday, with WSU earning some defensive accolades. The coaches also hand out awards. ... We had our Inland Northwest baseball notebook today, with WSU getting a mention.

•••

• Around the Pac-10: Actually, there's a lot today though the tourney doesn't really get going until tomorrow. We start with the annual writer's survey from Jeff Faraudo in Oakland. It's always worth a few chuckles. ... On the court, Cal still hopes to have Jorge Gutierrez despite his sprained ankle. ... Speaking of injuries, Arizona should have Kevin Parrom back. ... Kevin O'Neill will finally get to hire his own assistants at USC. ... Another former Arizona coach, Russ Pennell, is happy at Grand Canyon. Former Cougar Nick Witherill is playing there. ... So, should have UW's Quincy Pondexter been the Pac-10 player of the year? Jim Moore thinks so. ... Pondexter says he has no hard feelings - motivation, though, might be another matter. ... The Huskies used their speed to render OSU's zone irrelevant. ... Stanford hopes to extend its season past the Pac-10 tourney.

•••

• That's it for now. We'll be back before the game with our usual items. Until then ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

Follow Vince online:






Looking for a Grip on Sports?

Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.