COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- It's technically still basketball season, but with spring football practices starting this week, we turn out focus toward Mike Leach's squad for a moment. Read on for that and some Pac-12 links.

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After a phone conversation with Mike Leach late yesterday morning, we put together this story about the Cougars preparing for the beginning of spring ball on Thursday. The thrust: just there was a bit of a scramble, do-what-we-can aspect to Leach's recruiting efforts in the winter, there's going to be a sense of urgency during the spring as the staff installs a new offense, a new defense and makes necessary position changes, of which Leach said there certainly will be a few. One more note: Leach said there's no hard-and-fast schedule for when the team will scrimmage this spring, but you can expect any scrimmages to be held on Saturdays. ... The WSU baseball team dropped a double-header to No. 6 Arizona on Saturday. ... Jeff Choate is mentioned in this story about Boise State's special teams.

The NCAA dream is over for the Pac-12. 11th-seeded Colorado gave No. 3 Baylor a game for a while yesterday, but ultimately fell 80-63. The Buffs think they'll be dancing again next year, but their seniors played a big part this season. ... One Pac-12 team is in action today. Oregon hosts Iowa in the second round of the NIT (2 p.m., ESPNU). You can either watch that, or Norfolk State's attempt at another upset over Florida. Up to you. ... Washington will be rooting for Oregon and a quarterfinal matchup against the Ducks. ... Cal is searching for its next tailback. ... Arizona seeks a return to basketball glory. Kyle Fogg and Jesse Perry look to life after Arizona. ... Former UA quarterback Nick Foles is preparing for the NFL draft.

All for now.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

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