COUGARS

FROM LOS ANGELES -- It's another Pac-12 Saturday, and Washington State will spend it in the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion. We have more on that and some other links for you after the jump. Read on.

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We have an advance of tonight's game (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks) in today's newspaper, focusing on WSU's desire to put Thursday's close-as-usual loss to USC behind them. ... There is also some sad news to pass along, as former Cougars coach Jim Sweeney -- who coached WSU athletic director Bill Moos, among many others -- has died at the age of 83. ... Howie Stalwick has this feature on D.J. Shelton in the Kitsap Sun. ... Here's a story about last night's WSU football event in the Tri Cities. ... This advance of today's game focuses on the constant criticism thrown Ben Howland's way, a good portion of it coming from a particularly notable former Bruins player. 

Around the Pac-12 ... Arizona State tries to complete a home sweep of the Bay Area schools tonight when it hosts Stanford (4 p.m., ESPNU). The Sun Devils' backup big man is an ultimate team player. ... The other game tonight features struggling Oregon and even-more-struggling Utah (5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). The Utes use their practices to try to find a winning formula. ... Arizona's coach is good at keeping things in perspective. ... Washington hopes to heal along with its leading scorer. ... Colorado is relying on its defense until its offense finally returns. ... A football note: USC reportedly fired its offensive coordinator. 

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

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