COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- Washington State is facing one of its biggest challenges of the season tonight as it faces Oregon. Mike Ladd isn't likely to play for the second consecutive game, meaning the Cougars are still without their senior point guard and one of their team captains. We have some links for you before the 4 p.m. tip. Read on.

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Ladd's status for today is officially listed as "doubtful," though it likely would be considered something close to a miracle if he's able to play. In our advance today, coach Ken Bone details just what it is that makes Ladd so valuable, and why the Cougars will miss the role he plays so much. We also had a live chat yesterday. ... Oregon will once again be without starting point guard Dominic Artis, according to this Oregonian story. ... There will be a strong WSU presence at the memorial service today for former coach Jim Sweeney. ... The WSU women have won five out of their last six games after a 51-49 victory at Oregon State last night.

Around the Pac-12 ... There are three other conference games today. The action begins at 1 p.m., when UCLA plays at Stanford in a pretty important game for both teams (ESPN2). The Bruins are starting to feel a sense of urgency. ... Arizona State and Colorado will tangle (OK, so they won't tangle -- they're just playing basketball) later on in a game that has postseason implications for both teams. The Buffaloes have been winning with a team mentality. Arizona State's big man can go a long way toward dictating whether ASU wins or loses (6 p.m., ESPNU). ... The nightcap features Washington hosting Oregon State (8 p.m., FSN). The Huskies are reeling, and that's partially due to C.J. Wilcox's slump. ... Arizona's coach is fed up with his team's slow starts, so he's going to do something about it. ...A football link: one of Stanford's quarterbacks will miss spring practice due to injury.

That's all for now. We'll be back before the game.

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

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