COUGARS

FROM LONGVIEW -- We're back home for the holidays with Washington State out of action until its Saturday game in the Tri Cities (and the Cougars have a few days away from practice for the holidays, too). As expected, there isn't a whole lot to pass along in the way of news. But as a creature of habit, we still have a post. Read on.

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Doesn't appear to be anything worth linking in the land of WSU, so we'll just use this space to pass along our best wishes to you and your families during the holiday season -- whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, the Rose Bowl or none of the above. Right around this time last year, I was preparing to move to Pullman. I'd say the ensuing 12 months wound up being pretty eventful. Thanks for joining and reading along as we covered those events as best we could. Your participation is what fuels this blog, and it's what makes the job so fun.

In Pac-12 basketball news ... There actually is one basketball game today involving a Pac-12 team. Arizona faces San Diego State in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. I wonder if that game can out-draw the Hawaii bowl's attendance. The 16 or so people at that game looked to be having a rollicking good time. ... The Pac-12 isn't doing so hot in the RPI rankings. ... The wife of Utah's coach gives back through humanitarian service.

In Pac-12 football news ... California hired its offensive line coach away from Texas Tech. ... UCLA's kicker has the right attitude. ... USC receiver Marqise Lee has a story to tell. ... Washington lost its running backs coach to Arkansas. ... Oregon State began preparing for the Alamo Bowl yesterday in San Antonio. ... Might Carolina -- and Cam Newton -- be a good fit for Oregon coach Chip Kelly?

Eat. Drink. Open presents. We'll be back in a couple days, or as soon as news warrants. Merry Christmas, guys.

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

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