Change of pace on a Saturday
COUGARS
FROM PULLMAN -- The men's basketball team doesn't play again until the 21st. But there's another basketball team at this school, and they're going to have their hands full this afternoon against a nationally-ranked opponent. We'll be there. Read on.
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Yes, we'll be at Beasley Coliseum at noon today for the WSU women's game against No. 20 Ohio State (though with finals complete and most students gone for break -- not to mention the snow on the ground right now -- not sure if there will be a whole lot of others there with me). The S-R's Chris Derrick wrote this story about the WSU women a couple days ago. ... We had a short item on the blog (and in the paper) yesterday with the news that WSU's inside receivers coach, Eric Morris, has left the program to join the staff of new Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury. It probably wasn't realistic for the Cougars to expect Morris to stick around much longer than another year, anyway, but this move could have a negative impact on WSU's recruiting. Morris was one of their stronger coaches in that regard, and was in charge of recruiting quarterbacks (yes, including Tyler Bruggman). DeMarcus Ayers, who was committed to WSU, said Morris' departure was one of the reasons (the final one) that led him to decommit yesterday. ... CougCenter writes a bit about Morris. ... I'm going to link that one thing that Vince always links because it includes further opinion about Mike Leach and his first season at WSU.
In Pac-12 football news ... Arizona begins the bowl season for the Pac-12 with its New Mexico Bowl appearance against Nevada (11 a.m., ESPN). Washington relied on its young linebackers this season. ... Arizona State's punter is finally getting some recognition. ... California added a couple of coaches. ... Doesn't sound like there's much to that Mike Riley/Wisconsin report. ... Taking a look at Oregon's NFL hopefuls. ... Colorado's new coach wants to bring most of his old staff with him. ...
In Pac-12 basketball news ... UCLA is searching for consistency as it hosts Prairie View A&M today (6 p.m., Pac-12 Network). ... USC plays against UC-Riverside (4 p.m., Pac-12 Network). ... If Arizona can beat Florida today, it could pay off down the road (7 p.m., ESPN). ... Arizona State, which plays Dartmouth today, needs to improve its free-throw shooting (noon, Pac-12 Network). ... Oregon plays at home against Nebraska today (1:30 p.m., FSN/ROOT). ... Stanford hosts UC Davis at 2 p.m. (Pac-12 Network). ... Washington plays against Jackson State at home (4 p.m., Pac-12 Network). ... California has a tough test as it hosts No. 16 Creighton (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple