Marquess Wilson, D.J. Shelton and links

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN — Already wrote this clever little lead-in once. Then my computer ate it. So just keep reading if you want to keep reading.

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The big news out of WSU yesterday was Mike Leach saying that Marquess Wilson has recanted his previous statements about the coaching staff. We have a story and a blog post on the matter. On the basketball side, here’s our game story from WSU’s win over Idaho, as well as our postgame recap on the blog. … Howie Stalwick has a story on the game , as well as briefs from Leach’s press conference and about Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien receiving a scholarship offer from WSU. … Bud Withers has a story about Leach’s comments in The Seattle Times. Withers also has this look-ahead at the 2013 season.

Around the Pac-12 … Former Colorado coach Jon Embree said yesterday he might have kept his job if he were white instead of black. … The Pac-12 championship game missed the mark again when it comes to a snazzy matchup . UCLA is reaping the benefits. … An update on California’s coaching search . … Might some Oregon State assistants be headed elsewhere ? … USC and one of its fiercest rivals are evidence that rankings can be pretty silly . … Handing out some awards at Arizona State.

There were six other Pac-12 basketball games yesterday … Washington used 27 points from C.J. Wilcox to beat Saint Louis , 66-61. … Stanford lost a key player for the season , but beat Seattle University, 68-57. … Arizona State beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff , 67-54. … Arizona had no problem with Northern Arizona in a 93-50 victory. … Utah failed its first road test , losing 62-55 to SMU in Dallas. … Josh Smith quit the UCLA basketball team, but the Bruins soldiered on for an 82-56 win over Cal-State Northridge.

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