Ralph Walter

This idea that Riley somehow killed all of the momentum that Kyle Smith created is a little far-fetched. Smith was terrific in leading the Cougs to the NCAA Tournament. Still, he was just one game over .500 in three of his five seasons at WSU. And after that 2024 NCAA berth, he and nearly his entire roster – including future pros Jaylen Wells and Isaac Jones – scattered just as WSU dropped to the WCC. 

OK, I'll admit it – it had been awhile since I'd climbed on the Seattle Mariners' bandwagon. Twenty-four years, to be exact. That explains why this longtime lukewarm M's fan booked an October trip to New York earlier this year with his daughter to hit a few comedy clubs. Because really, the thought that the M's would still be playing October baseball sounded like a bad joke.

For football fans, there's nothing like the all-or-nothing promise of a new starting quarterback, those wild swings of hope and nervousness, optimism and dread. Because for every John Mateer at Washington State or Ryan Blair at Whitworth a season ago, there are dozens of Ralph Walters.

Why would a return of pro basketball to Seattle make any difference to a region that lost its lukewarm embrace with the team the first time around? Easy. Spokane – aka Hooptown USA – is literally a basketball hotbed now.

From staff reports

From staff reports

Anton Watson and Drew Timme have shown amazing chemistry on the court throughout their Gonzaga basketball careers. That same rapport was evident on Tuesday night when Watson welcomed Timme to join him on the third episode of his podcast, “Take 22.” 

As great as last week went for Gonzaga basketball, this week could be even better.