Sports overlap at WSU

COUGARS

We had to make an executive decision this morning. The choice was complicated: Put up one morning post, intermingling football and basketball, which would make WSU’s section longer, or put up two, with the usual football stuff in the first one and a shorter one featuring basketball. I came down on the side of one, using the logic that you folks are interested in WSU, no matter what. At least that’s how I read it. If you have thoughts, pass them on.
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• Washington State: The Cougars will face UCLA this Saturday in Dad’s Weekend, and we have our first look . A final announcement on whether Jeff Tuel will be able to practice and play has yet to be made. But it looks like UCLA will have its starting quarterback, Kevin Prince. … WSU opened the Ken Bone era – unofficially, of course – with an exhibition win over Lewis-Clark State in Beasley. Here’s our story , a little longer version of which, along with some notes, can be found here . Bone was pleased with the defense and passing, displeased with the rebounding and slow pace of play, saying 73 points wasn’t a lot to score. … Freelancer Howie Stalwick had this basketball story in the News Tribune and other papers. … The Cougar soccer team will compete in the NCAA Tournament again this season, but they have to go all the way across the country to do it.

• Around the Pac-10: ESPN.com’s Ted Miller breaks down the rest of the conference race. … Washington: Looking at the rest of the season, maybe the Huskies’ turnaround isn’t going to be as quick as hoped. … Part of the problem ins the red-zone offense . … Oregon State: With the Huskies coming to town, the Beavers have a lot riding on the game. … Oregon: As you probably know by now, the Ducks reinstated running back LeGarrette Blount. In this day of quick dissemination, that’s old news. So we link a story that asks how he’ll fit in. … California: With no football news, we switch to hoops. The Bears held off Murray State in their opener last night. … Stanford: The Cardinal have their biggest man-vs.-man battle this week, playing USC, the Pac-10’s most physical team. This covers who won’t be playing. … USC: As does this story , from the Trojans perspective. … UCLA: The quarterbacks want to keep their receivers happy. … The Bruins get a commitment from Washington’s biggest player, literally. Got to love the headline (players can’t sign until tomorrow). … Arizona State: Who will play quarterback this week? … Arizona: Maybe the Wildcats might not have to be perfect down the stretch.

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• That’s it for this morning. We’ll be back after football practice with news and notes. Until later …