John Blanchette

We were asking Byron Samuels about the precariousness of his new station, noting that 50-odd NCAA Division I head coaching jobs had changed hands between the last two basketball seasons. "Fifty-five," he interrupted. He would know that exactly, of course. He would know what 55 guys got which of the 55 jobs, too, if we'd bothered to quiz him on it.

OK, shoppers, let's do the math on the John Wade buyout: Seventy-five grand to not coach basketball the next two years at Eastern Washington University ... that's five zeroes ... oops, don't forget the decimal point ... with losses running at 65 percent every season ... carry the one ... that makes $1,875 for each game the Eagles won't lose with Wade stalking the sideline. By golly, that may qualify as a bargain, after all.

Dwight Stewart has been a juge factor at Arkansas. Photo by Associated Press

The Big Dance has reached its Big Moment, so get yourself a Big Mac and a Big Gulp and a good seat in front of the Big Screen. Big Country's out, Big Nasty's still in. Big Business is booming - $600 Final Four jackets at Nordstrom, $85 sweatshirts in the hotel lobbies.

1. Joining M's was natural for Bremerton native and ex-Cougar Terrel Hansen. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. John Tsoukalas plays the outfield, but has made an impression with his bat. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

So maybe the Spokane Chiefs truly are, as they imagine, the team nobody wants to play right now. Healthy and whole, on a roll, a hot goalie between the poles. A team versed - make that wedded - all season to hockey in the "playoff" style: tight-checking, lowscoring, high-stress, one-goal affairs in which the smallest of mistakes are magnified. Just like Friday night's Western Hockey League playoff opener at the Coliseum. Playoff hockey at its . . . oh, never mind.

Former Seattle Mariners infielder Lenny Randle has been a hit at spring training, hamming it up with fans and media alike. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Nope, they weren't another Cleveland State. Didn't do a Santa Clara. Couldn't pull a Siena. They were just the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and with the dancing done for now, that's enough.

Can't wait to take in some replacement baseball? Not to worry - plenty of good seats remain at Peoria Sports Complex. Photo by Associated Press

Look, a basketball tournament that makes celebrities out of John Rillie and the Gonzagas of the world can't be all bad. Nitpicking NCAA selections is, at best, a cliche. At worst, it's like complaining about the traffic you encountered en route to collecting your lottery winnings.

By way of a sideshow Thursday night, they staged a scavenger hunt in the bleachers of Bohler Gym. They asked for some standard stuff - a rubber band, a bobbie pin, a lighter - and some not-so-standard. Would you believe a Nordstrom credit card?

Highlanders aren't afraid to toot own horns. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

On his way to a rally, GU coach Dan Fitzgerald finds humor in Robin Barnhart's sign, which pokes fun at Kelvin Sampson's refusal to play the Bulldogs while at Washington State. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Define comeback. Qualify it. What is the more daunting prospect for a basketball team? Having just 5 minutes to make up an 11-point deficit that's been a game in the making? Or being a point down with 4 seconds remaining, having just squandered that 11-point lead? Which is the starting point for the greater comeback? The recipe for greater despair? "It's kind of equal," guessed Cameron Carstensen. "But they won."

Seven-footer Jeff Ellis (back) ties up Kelly Smith. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Washington State junior guard Shamon Antrum has kept the Cougars in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Jerrod Daniel is no Newton, but he is hip to the theory that for every shutout there is an equal and opposite blowout - having squeezed both into the weekend just past. He just doesn't buy it as cause and effect. So the 20-year-old goaltender of the Spokane Chiefs starts fresh tonight against Tacoma, neither plotting a whitewash nor fearing any possible repercussions.

There is something to be said for longevity. Quite often it's, "Is he still playing?" Anymore, our tolerance for durability beyond the call of duty seems to be reserved for legends (see Nolan Ryan), novelties (see George Foreman) or golfers (see the Geezer Skins Game). Sports has no mandatory retirement age, but at 35 your first name can be legally changed to "Journeyman" - which is probably the real reason Michael Jordan got out when he did. Funny, it may have been the reason James Donaldson wanted back in.

Good morning, class. Today's lesson: How to fan. Mind my own business, you say? What? Oh, mind my own business, fishwrap.

Kevin Eastman made it sound a good deal more clinical than a kid riffling through a Christmas catalog, but a wish list is a wish list. "This is what I think makes up a good basketball team," offered Washington State's first-year coach, ticking off the toys on his fingers. "Talent - UCLA has some. Height UCLA has some. Ability to make the open shot - UCLA's done it twice to us. Quickness - damn, they've got that, too.

1. John Stockton's excellent vision of the court has helped put him within 11 assista of breaking Magic Johnson's all=time NBA record of 9,921. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review 2. Stockton downplays the record, calling it "just a stat." Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review 3. John Stockton brings the whole package to the game of basketball - talent, strength, intensity, and an incredible vision of the court. Photo by J. Bart Raynaik/The Spokesman-Review 4. "He has a sixth sense," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan says of John Stockton's ability, demonstrated against Minnesota. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review 5. Being there center of attention makes it tougher for John Stockton to squeeze in time for Nada, his wife, at left, and son, Houston. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review

Jazz stats crew chief John Allen has counted more than 5,000 Stockton assists. Photo by J. Bart Rayniak/The Spokesman-Review

Keith Lincoln left Washington State for sunny San Diego, where he became a star for the AFL champion Chargers. File Photo.

Whitworth College basketball is back in the Top 25 - eighth, to be exact. If you can name any of the first seven, you're really paying attention. Perhaps too much. For while the Pirates certainly play for keeps, they also keep it play. A national ranking is a just and compelling reward, but hardly allimportant. Just as reassuring is seeing the school president lend a hand to the halftime free-throw contest and the associated students buy a round of ice cream for the house after a home game. The game knows its place here. Players, too.