Chris Rodkey: Is it possible for local teams to do anything but choke in the clutch? IMHO: The root of problem lies in the fact that most Spokane sports fans are not actual sports fans, but rather like to support the team that's doing well at the moment. I remember "Go Eags" (sigh) mania when EWU got close a while ago ... but so very, very many years go by when Eastern is just flat-out ignored by local sports "fans." Would an Elite 8 appearance have added a few thousand dollars to the asking price for McCarthey season tickets? Maybe a final four would have set a minimum $10,000 per seat? I lost interest in Gonzaga when it became a high-minded, almost fashionable, thing to watch.

DFO: I began enjoying local college sports far more since I've become a front-runner, going with the local team that has the hot hand. I follow them all, including listening to the 4-25 Vandals when Utah State scored 30 or so points in a row against them this year. But I reserve the passion for the years WSU is bowl bound. Or the M's play .500 ball or better. Or the Zags win the WCC and have a shot for a good tournament run. Otherwise, it gets too painful. That's why I've never been a Seattle Seahawks fan. In the end, it always seems to get painful (even when the regional teams are good).

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