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• There is some talk among those in the know around the NCAA offices – and, yes, I am aware that stinks of an oxymoron – of moving the start date for basketball back a few weeks, pushing March Madness into April and possibly early May. The idea is to cut down the overlap between football and basketball, as if it's a bad thing. What, they think there are still guys who play both sports? C'mon. This isn't 1937 anymore. Besides, what would November be like without basketball? No early season matchups between high-powered Jesuit teams like Gonzaga and St. Joe's (OK, that's a bad example). No Kentucky vs. Kansas before the snow flies (wait, that's another bad example, especially if you are trying to watch in upstate New York). Got it. No warm weather Thanksgiving tournaments. (Where are the Cougars playing next weekend, the Bahamas, San Juan, Mexico? Anchorage? Really?) But it's the overlap that makes our lives worthwhile this time of year. We can spend the work week coming home, sitting down and watching a high-profile college or low-profile NBA game instead of shoveling the walk. Then weekends, when the garage needs sweeping or the dog's droppings need collecting? Forget that. We're watching college football on Saturday and the RedZone all day Sunday. There might even be a college hoop game on the Ocho to zone in on at halftime. It's perfect. Which is why I'm sure the NCAA will decide to move the start of college basketball back to Dec. 1 or something. Some TV executive will look at the calendar, see May is a sweeps month – the time in which ad rates are determined – and realize the NCAA finals draw a lot of eyeballs. Bingo. Money to Indianapolis and our basketball starting at Christmas. Talk about dire straits.

• Speaking of football, between brunch with the Cougars tomorrow and an early dinner with the Seahawks on Sunday, food will be plentiful this weekend. A good way to get an early start to Thanksgiving week. Let's just hope the Arizona teams don't hand their Washington brethren their lunch.

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• WSU: How do you bring the desert warmth to Pullman in November? You go indoors of course, rock-hard surface be darned. That's what the Cougars have done this week in preparation of Saturday's matchup with Arizona State. Starting at quarterback will be, once again, freshman Luke Falk, the subject of Jacob Thorpe's feature in today's S-R. Cheering in Nashville will be Falk's two sisters, the subject of this story by Jacob, who may or may not be a country music fan (my guess is yes, at least this week; at least as far as the Falk sisters know). ... Speaking of quarterbacks, Connor Halliday held a conference call with the media yesterday and Jacob has this story concerning his broken leg and the healing process. ... On the blog, Jacob has a practice report from last night and a morning post with links today. Also, we pass along his Pac-12 picks for the week. ... Speaking of picks, here are some more. ... You want answers instead? ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog has some. ... California upset No. 23 Syracuse in Madison Square Garden last night. ... ASU's basketball team had little trouble with Loyola-Marymount. ... USC, on the other hand, seems to be putrid.

• Gonzaga: Jim Meehan awoke Thursday and posted a look back at the St. Joe's game. After a night's sleep, it still wasn't pretty – if you are a St. Joe's fan. For the GU faithful, it was a thing of beauty. ... St. Mary's had little trouble with Denver last night.

• EWU: No matter what their respective seasons are like, it seems Portland State and Eastern always play a close football game. Maybe it's the allure of the rivalry, the Dam Cup and all that (not really). Maybe it's because it is always PSU's final game of the season while Eastern is getting ready for the playoffs. Whatever. Jim Allen has an advance of tonight's game in Portland. ... He also has a transcript of yesterday's live chat.

• Idaho: Don Verlin's quest for his 100th victory as Vandal coach was derailed on the road last night.

• Whitworth: It wasn't a good night for the Whit men at the Fieldhouse as Rutgers-Newark somehow received the benefit of a hometown non-call at the end as part of a 74-72 overtime victory over the Pirates. John Blanchette was there and has this game story. ... The Whitworth men's soccer team's NCAA adventure continues this weekend as they face a Sweet 16 match in Ohio. Jim Allen has a feature on the Pirates (pictured) in today's S-R.

• Chiefs: Nothing from Spokane but Everett is making some changes in their lineup due to injuries while the Americans have a few prospects to watch.

• Seahawks: Want an answer why the Hawks' passing attack isn't clicking right now? Russell Wilson has one. "It's on me," he said yesterday. OK. ... Maybe Richard Sherman (pictured) could help on that side of the ball. He's played there before. ... We have our usual Marshawn Lynch update, with Pete Carroll saying he wants the running back around next season. ... The health of the Hawks seems to be getting better. ... Despite their record and despite defeating the Seahawks in Seattle last season, the Cardinals are hard to hate. ... Sacks aren't the only measure of a defensive end's play.

• Mariners: The M's adjusted their roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft, making some decisions with the players they already had and adding a couple from outside the organization.

• Sounders: It's playoff season, which also means it is awards season in the MLS. More than a couple Sounders are up for big honors. ... Sigi Schmid is one of those this year. Last year? He was just hoping to keep his job. ... Los Angeles and Seattle are familiar with each other.

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• Want to get your weekend under way early? Well then, we have the answer for you. Listen to the golden (read: sleep-inducing) tones of Vince Grippi on the radio. I'll join Dennis Patchin and Rick Lukens from 3 to 5:45 this afternoon – the odd ending time is due to Eastern Washington football – on 700 ESPN. You can listen here if you like. Until then ...