Today’S Best Bets: Western Hockey League

Moose Jaw at Spokane

Time, site: 7:05 p.m., Arena

Radio: KXLY 920

Summary: On their best nights, they’re very good, but the Chiefs are rarely on top of their game. They have the WHL’s worst home-ice record to show for it.

The mystery man in this enigmatic mix of veterans and rookies is Ty Jones, who, for the second time this season, didn’t suit up. He and Bobby Leavins sat out one of last week’s games at Prince George. Coach Mike Babcock told the Prince George Citizen it was a team suspension. Babcock declined to elaborate on that this week, saying Jones had an arm injury.

Chiefs trail Kelowna in the chase for the sixth and final playoff spot by two points. If veterans don’t step up, look for Babcock to accelerate the youth movement and GM Tim Speltz to look for trades. The Chiefs, as presently constituted, are running out of time.

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Idaho State at EWU

Time, site: 7:05 p.m., Reese Court

Radio: KKPL 630

Summary: It’s the Big Sky Conference opener and Eastern (3-7) is saddled with the pressure of protecting the home court against a Bengals team (2-8) that has started slowly under first-year coach Doug Oliver, a former Stanford assistant.

ISU has an outstanding perimeter player in junior transfer Kevin Sweetwyne, who is averaging nearly 16 points a game, and a big-body post player in 6-foot-7, 250-pound senior Odell Stokes. But the supporting cast hasn’t contributed much. Eagles coach Steve Aggers will get his second look at talented 6-7 JC transfer Alex Carcamo, who became eligible at the end of the quarter and came off the bench to score 10 in his Dec. 22 Eastern debut against Evergreen State.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Idaho at Gonzaga

Time, site: 2 p.m., Martin Centre

Summary: The Vandals (7-4) are coming off a 15-day hiatus. Their last game was a 72-61 victory over Eastern Washington on Dec. 18. Then, Idaho junior forward Alli Nieman was battling a sprained left ankle, but she is expected to be ready today. In the win over EWU, the Vandals committed 23 turnovers, but put together a solid second half. Gonzaga (3-8), meanwhile, has lost two close games in a row. One was to Eastern on a final-second shot on Dec. 20.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL Ferris at Rogers

Time, site: 7:45 p.m., Tuffy Ellingsen Fieldhouse at Rogers

Summary: These two teams were picked to go one-two in the Greater Spokane League preseason poll, and even though both have one loss, they have shown no reason to be doubted. The Saxons (4-1 overall, 2-1 GSL) lost to Central Valley; the Pirates (4-1, 3-0) fell to Border League leader West Valley. Something has to give. Rogers is averaging 67.4 points a game, Ferris has not allowed 50.

Both teams return four starters and have at least four players capable of scoring 20 points. Rogers has five in double figures, led by Bret Oglesbee (16.5 ppg) and Sam Dempsey (16.2). Andre Atkins (11.4) leads the Saxons.

Lewis and Clark at Central Valley

Time, site: 6 p.m., Bill Ames Memorial Gym, Central Valley

Summary: These two undefeated teams were picked third and fourth in what is a top-heavy season in the GSL. Both play aggressive, physical, man-to-man defense and have a lot of athletes to run into the game. LC is only allowing 47.5 points a game, CV is 10 points better on defense.

The Bears have a win at Ferris, where they showed patience and a great shooting touch. Kyle Boast leads CV with a 14.2 average. Justin Defour averages 14.5 for the Tigers.