COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN — Snow is nothing compared to what Mike Leach dealt with during one spring practice in Lubbock.

Like many who went to the Battle in Seattle, I returned home on four wheels instead of an airplane. Got back early evening Monday. Gonzaga’s opponent tonight, Portland State, is taking a similar path. Their flight was a snow-related cancel Monday, so they’ve opted to bus.

The game will go on as scheduled at 5 p.m., good roads willing. The Vikings were expected to stay in Bellevue on Monday night and should be en route to Spokane right now. Snoqualmie Pass was in pretty good shape Monday at about noon, and the update from the Washington State Dept. of Transportation Web site this morning showed no restrictions traveling East or West. PSU is expected to arrive in Spokane at about 2 p.m.

I figured I was in trouble when I tried to drive, what, five miles to my office in Coeur d’Alene earlier this afternoon. I got stuck at the base of the hill (less than a quarter-mile from my house) and again 50 yards from the front door to the office. The return trip was worse. At one light, I counted 11 Trucks/SUV and my Camry. I’ve never had much trouble getting up the hill, but I crawled up it this time with a great deal of uncertainty that I would actually make it.

So, I’ll be watching GU-Texas Southern on TV tonight with John Blanchette kindly pinch-hitting — he’s got a four-wheel rig from the company garage — at the MAC. And then tomorrow morning, I’ll try to return the favor, weather permitting, as we hopefully catch a morning flight to Seattle for the UConn game. We’ll see.

Anyway, I’ll post a halftime update. And we’ll try to get John’s game story posted as well later tonight.

Meanwhile, 50 players are on the early Naismith Trophy watch list. Gonzaga is represented by Jeremy Pargo and Josh Heytvelt. UConn has three on the list. More here.