COUGARS UPDATED 9:15 A.M.; 10:25 A.M.The last name is appropriate.Washington State's Michael Bumpus (Spokesman-Review file photo) has endured a few bumps over the years in Pullman, but, as last week's performance in the USC loss shows, he may have risen over them.Glenn Kasses' chronicles Bumpus'…
BASEBALL PLAYOFFSI'm sorry, but you can take your left tackle trying to handle a speed rusher on the outside, or your shutdown corner locked on the receiver, or your quick guard taking the ball to the rim against a polished shot blocker, or your veteran…
SONICS, SEAHAWKS, MARINERSThe biggest news in the NBA this week: the new ball.Exciting, huh.Anyway, the Sonics weigh in on the new rock from training camp. And they don't like how it feels wet.Back to the court, Rashad Lewis (Associated Press photo) has something to prove…
VANDALS, EAGLESThere are always disagreements on how to build an impenetrable college football defense. But the most common school of thought today is to start with two shutdown corners, add two big run stoppers inside at tackle and then let the other seven guys fly…
CHIEFS, INDIANSThe big news on Jeff Bunch's blog is the Chiefs will have six home games broadcast on Comcast cable. Which is good news for me.The way I figure it, if the Chiefs don't make the playoffs, maybe I can get part of the $100,000…
HUSKIESThere's a lot of Husky news today, appropriately so as UW is 4-1, they play the No. 3 team in the country (USC) and, in the eyes of Husky fans anyway, the Trojans must be vulnerable. After all, the Cougars almost beat them.Batman's son plays…
EAGLES, VANDALSPortland State is only going to get better.That's the warning implicit in Dave Trimmer's Big Sky notebook that ran in today's paper. The reason? The Vikings were having quarterback problems. Brain White transferred in from Colorado last week, then almost led PSU to an…
COUGARSThe paper was full of Pac-10 and WSU news this morning, even if it wasn't all about current Pac-10 or WSU players.Case in point: John Blanchette's column concerning the return this week of former Coug quarterback Josh Swogger (right; Associated Press photo). Swogger will be…
MORRISON WATCHThe Charlotte Bobcats opened training camp today, with a renewed sense of optimism.A big part of that comes from the addition of one player: Gonzaga University and Mead High star Adam Morrison.We'll try to keep an eye on Morrison's progress – and a pair…
HUSKIESAll of you who thought UW would be 4-1 going into the USC game, raise your hands. Ya, well you're all lying.Even Tyrone Willingham wasn't that optimistic. At least that's how I interpret these remarks from the Huskies' coach. And if his team is 5-1…
COUGARSNot much on the Cougs game this week with Oregon State, but there is some.Glenn Kasses had his first look at the matchup in today's paper. He also has quite a few notes on his blog along with a spirited discussion about officiating.At the Times,…
BASEBALLThis is one of the top five sports days in America.Three playoff baseball games, six teams that think they can win the World Series, 150 players trying to grab a ring.The TV is on, the radio is on, and America's team, the Minnesota Twins, is…
PREPS UPDATED 11 A.M.There wasn't much on the prep plate in today's Spokesman-Review, but I did save a couple of things for you that appeared Monday.But before we get to those links, here's a link to our Fast Break column that appears on the front…
CHIEFSThe Chiefs made a quick stop in Tri-Cities on Saturday night. A quick stop that resulted in a 4-3 loss.Jeff Bunch was there to chronicle the game – and the Americans' announcer statement, after the game, the Chiefs are one loss closer to $100,000.Of course…
MARINERS, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLThe year that was supposed to be "next year" (as in "we'll win the title next year") is over.So what happened?My quick opinion: The starting pitching isn't good enough (the young guys just haven't panned out – though I wouldn't give up…
QUESTION OF THE DAYWell that was pretty sad. The Seahawks faced their first big showdown of the season and were run down by the Bears. That brings us to …Our Question of the Day: What will it take for the Seahawks to bounce back from…
This was one they couldn't finish.Not that the Washington State Cougars didn't try. Not until freshman Taylor Mays from O'Dea High in Seattle gathered in Alex Brink's Hail Mary pass on the 4-yard line as time ran out did the third-ranked USC Trojans put away…
As the score indicates, the Cougars are playing well.How well?Loren Langley has converted two field goals longer than 30 yards. USC offense has been stuck in first gear for most of the half. And Dwight Tardy has been a star.The freshman running back from Southern…
3:10 P.M.I mentioned in an earlier post the Trojans have won their last 17 road games, including 12 in the Pac-10. Their last loss? In an overtime game in Pullman back in 2002.That's another Cougar positive, they've defeated a Pete Carroll-coached team in Pullman before.…
2:10 P.M.It's amazing how many USC shirts are walking the streets of Pullman – not the shirts of course, but Trojan fans wearing them.Luckily the color is pretty close to Cougar crimson, so the USC fans can hide a bit, if they want. But knowing…
HUSKIESA quick look at UW's trip to Tucson shows the Huskies are worried, and they should be.Mostly about overconfidence, which we at SportsLink just don't understand. How can you be overconfident going into a game with the Pac-10's best team? But, according to Bob Condotta's…
PREPSFriday night as a big one in prep football, with a showdown to savor on both sides of the border. Both went to the favorites.In Idaho, Lake City coach Van Troxel wasn't happy, but his Timberwolves earned a 21-18 win over intracity rival Coeur d'Alene.At…
MISCELLANEOUSAfter a long week, and a long day coming our way tomorrow, we're hitting the golf course this afternoon. The brother-in-law has flown up from California and we're playing in the Spokane Regional Sports Commission's youth charity tournament this weekend. It combines two thinks I…
PREPSAs we get closer to the weekend, the prep action begins to heat up, building to tonight's climax. Thursday was no different.In the lone Greater Spokane League football game, Lewis and Clark intercepted a pass on the game's first play, then proceeded to play better…
SportsLink is your portal into sports news around the Inland Northwest and beyond. You'll find updates, notes and opinions, and plenty of reader feedback.
Looking for a Grip on Sports?
Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online.
You can find a collection of these columns here.