Another jam-packed weekend ahead - and it runs through Monday night

A GRIP ON SPORTS • What are you looking forward to watching over the weekend? Is it a certain college basketball game? The Seahawks playoff opener with Carolina? Or are you waiting until Monday night to get excited, when Oregon and Ohio State will meet in the first championship game for the big football schools? Read on.
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• There is certainly a wide-ranging selection available, isn't there? It begins tonight with Gonzaga hosting USF in the Kennel. It was supposed to be a coming out party for the newest Zag, but that's been put on hold (see the Gonzaga section below for more). Still, GU hasn't played in Spokane in a long time, so tonight's game is worth looking forward to. Then there is a lull Friday, though that's easy to fill if you are a high school hoops fan, as there are always one or two exciting games to choose from. Saturday is jam-packed, what with the Cougars and Huskies squaring off, then the Seahawks starting their road to a second-consecutive Super Bowl. If that game gets out of hand after halftime, there is always the Vandals and Eagles meeting in their first Big Sky Conference game in almost 20 years to turn to. There are two more NFL playoff games Sunday before we have to get refocused on the final college game of the season. By Monday night at about 10, I do believe every sports fan in America will be exhausted.
• In the past we would have asked your opinion via a poll on the left-hand side of this page. But as you might be aware, the Spokesman-Review's blogs have a new look, one that doesn’t include a space for polls – but does have plenty of room for a picture of yours truly sporting his patented angry look. I hope it doesn't scare you.
• Speaking of angry looks, I'm sure Oregon administrators have sported a few this week when they realized their football team was going to be preparing for the championship game on an uneven playing field. How's that? See, Oregon began second-quarter classes Monday, which means the NCAA's 20-hour rule is in effect for the team. Ohio State, on the other hand, doesn't begin classes until next week, so the Buckeyes are free to do as much football-related activities as they want, with no time restrictions. That hasn't been a problem over the years during the bowl season, because almost every school was off for holiday break, meaning both teams were free to do whatever they wanted. This week is different. But before you get all weepy for the Ducks, remember quarter schools have a few weeks at the beginning of the year when they get more practice time than semester schools. WSU, for example, usually starts classes before games begin. Quarter schools, like Oregon, may play two, three or more games before classes – and the time restrictions – kick in.
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• WSU: It's Thursday, so it is college basketball day in the S-R. Jacob Thorpe has a preview of the Cougars' weekend, which includes just the one game, at Washington. ... Jacob also has his morning links and held a live chat yesterday. ... Speaking of yesterday, the Cougars received another commitment, one Jacob covers in this blog post. ... If you want to catch up with former WSU basketball player Abe Lodwick, this story will help you do that. ... There are some interesting questions and answers in this ESPN.com mailbag.
• Gonzaga: We've been waiting for the debut of Vanderbilt transfer guard Eric McClellan (pictured), who is expected to take some of the ball-handling pressure off Kevin Pangos. But McClellan showed up at GU's media day yesterday in a boot on his right foot and will not be ready for a while. Jim Meehan has the story as well as a preview of the Zags' weekend. ... BYU's shooters have a green light.
• EWU: The focus, right now, is on basketball and Jim Allen has a preview of the Eagles' weekend. He also has a blog post, however, on football quarterback Vernon Adams.
• Idaho: There is also a preview of the Vandals' weekend, which consists of the home game vs. Eastern.
• Preps: It seems like a good day to focus on wrestling. After all, Greg Lee's feature for today's prep page is on a University wrestler, Tate Orndorff, who is following in his father's footsteps. ... Greg was also at Mead's win over Central Valley in GSL wrestling last night. ... We also have a local roundup with another wrestling result. ... There is more wrestling as well as hoop in the prep notebook. ... Bill Pierce's history lesson concerns girls' basketball in Washington.
• Chiefs: There was a time when Portland owned the Chiefs. Not all that long ago, actually. Not so now. Chris Derrick has the story of Spokane's third consecutive win this season over Portland, 4-1 in the Arena. Chris also has a blog post on the victory and Colin Mulvany has a handful of photographs. ... Both Everett and Tri-City were on the road last night. One lost, one won.
• Seahawks: You know it's been a long time since the last game when there is a story about Russell Wilson's hair length and how he is growing it out. ... Another indication the long wait is about over are the stories concerning injuries, with Carolina losing quite possibly its best defensive lineman and Seattle adding another name to the injury list yesterday, though it may not be serious. ... Dan Quinn seems to be the hot coordinator this offseason. The Hawks may be looking for another defensive coordinator soon. Hopefully, after the Super Bowl. ... Earl Thomas probably can play for anyone – and with anyone. Bruce Irvin may not be as flexible. ... The Seahawks' receivers are pedestrian. But that's OK. ... Remember when the Hawks were in the playoffs with a losing record? Remember what happened that season? ... Jonathan Stewart has finally run all the way home.
• Sounders: If you've been waiting for the 2015 MLS schedule to appear, well, it has. The Sounders' highlight? They host the Portland Timbers twice and only go to Portland once. Or maybe it is playing a match on the most historic of American pitches, Yankee Stadium. I hear Babe Ruth was a heck of a goal scorer. ... The Sounders signed another homegrown player.
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• Guess what. We'll be back tomorrow. You've been warned. Until then ...