A traveling Friday post
COUGARS
FROM SAN FRANCISCO -- It's on to Salt Lake City this afternoon, but not before passing along plenty of reading material about a couple different sports this morning. Read on.
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In today's newspaper, we had this story from yesterday's media day at the Pac-12 Studios, and on the football side, we also had a story detailing the strong play recently of WSU's defense. On the blog, you'll find our live chat with quotes from throughout media day, our wrap-up of Ken Bone and Brock Motum's time on the podium, a post with results of the preseason media poll and a short post with an update on Brett Kingma. The Pac-12's site has video and transcripts of all the other interview sessions. ... Percy Allen has an item on WSU, among other teams. ... The AP has this WSU basketball story. ... The Cougars picked up a verbal commitment from an in-state offensive lineman (fixed). ... From Utah: Saturday will be coach Kyle Whittingham's 100th career game. The Utes' secondary has been improving.
Around the Pac-12 ... There is a football game tonight, with Washington visiting California in a pretty critical game for both teams. Cal will be without its best player. ... Stanford is trying to avoid a letdown this week against Colorado. ... UCLA wants to slow Arizona's "frantic" offense. ... USC knows it has to take care of the ball to have a chance against Oregon. ... Oregon State is banged up as it prepares for Arizona State. ... A look into the life of Oregon running back Kenjon Barner. ... Arizona State will likely have its star defensive tackle back this week. ... Colorado thinks its offensive line is getting stronger. ... An Arizona safety is getting healthier and healthier each week.
On the basketball front ... Arizona State wants to play more up-tempo this season. ... Colorado is picked to finish in the middle of the Pac-12 standings, but the Buffaloes don't care. ... Defending conference champion Washington is picked to finish fifth. ... UCLA has some options at point guard. ... USC's point guard wants to come back strong from an ACL injury. ... Arizona, picked to win the Pac-12, is loaded with potential. ... California might have to rely heavily on a freshman this season. ... Stanford has raised its expectations. ... The expectations for Utah, however, are about the same as they were last year. ... Oregon State coach Craig Robinson said this is the best team he's had. ... Oregon needs a pair of freshmen to contribute right away.
Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple