Thank goodness for Friday’s sports stories

A GRIP ON SPORTS • You love Fridays? You’re not alone. It might be everyone’s favorite day of the week. We like it as well, but for a different reason – at least this time of year. There are a bunch of college basketball games to read about. And other things. Read on.

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• Yes, today’s newspapers are filled with stories about last night’s games, from Stockton to Cedar City and everywhere in between. They are all worth reading. But the best thing to read today, the one story that is not to be missed, is John Blanchette’s column on the first Chief I remember: Mick Vukota. If you don’t know Mick, if you don’t remember his time on the ice in Spokane, sorry. He was one of a kind – either that or our version of Ogie Ogilthorpe. But he was also more than that. He was, arguably, the guy whose play sold junior hockey in this town. And he deserves the honor the Chiefs are bestowing on him this week. So take the time to read John’s column – whether you remember Mick or not.

• As for the basketball, Kyle Wiltjer (pictured) had himself a game last night, didn’t he? And the Zags needed just about everyone of his 45 points. It’s not a school record, but it’s No. 3 on the list. And it comes at a nice time. The Bulldogs head to Moraga on Saturday night with a chance to clinch the WCC regular season title. Think the Gaels will focus their defense on Wiltjer?

• If there is any one statistic that tells you how tough this year’s Eastern Washington team is, it is 3-for-16. That’s what leading scorer Tyler Harvey shot from the field last night, quite possibly his worst shooting night as an Eagle. And yet EWU still won, 78-75. On the road. Previous versions of Eastern teams would have been hard-pressed to compete with their leading scorer hitting just 3-of-16 shots. But this one gutted out a victory, keeping them a half-game ahead of Montana and Sacramento State in the race for the Big Sky title – and home court in the postseason tournament.

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• WSU: A potpourri of Washington State news today, courtesy of Jacob Thorpe. There is the expected, a feature on guard Ike Iroegbu and his importance to the Cougar basketball team. There is also Jacob’s morning links . But there is also a story on Connor Halliday and the NFL combine. … The Times’ Bob Condotta has a blog post on Halliday’s press availability at the combine. … The WSU baseball team won last night .

• Gonzaga: If you paid close attention to the Gonzaga game last night, you may have spied a table about 15 feet from the baseline, up against the wall of Pacific’s arena. That’s where our Jim Meehan was sitting, in a spot that must have made it tough to see areas of the court. My guess is that isn’t the usual spot for media at Tiger games. When most other teams come a calling, there are probably open seats at midcourt. Anyhow, Jim was still able to put together a game story and blog post from last night’s game. He’ll be back today with a look back at Wiltjer’s and the Zags’ performance. … The Gonzaga women won their 11th consecutive WCC regular season title last night, something even the men can’t say. Tom Clouse was at the McCarthey Athletic Center and has this game story . Colin Mulvany was also there and has a photo gallery . … Around the WCC , St. Mary’s kept its slim conference title hopes alive with a 68-51 win over visiting Portland . … BYU held senior night and then bid adieu to San Diego, winning 75-62.

• EWU: There is also an Eagle at the NFL’s combine. Jim Allen has this story on safety Tevin McDonald and his draft hopes. … With Harvey struggling against Southern Utah , Venky Jois stepped up inside and led the Eagles with 22 points. … Maybe Jim jinxed Harvey with this Q&A on the blog. Or maybe it was Harvey being named to the Jerry West Award watch list. … The Eastern women won their fifth consecutive game. … Around the Big Sky, former Colfax star Brandon Gfeller hit five 3-pointers as the Griz handled Idaho State, 88-77. … Weber State went to Bozeman and edged Montana State , 74-71. … Portland State got past North Dakota , 80-70. … Portland State’s football program seems to be missing a large pool of talent.

• Idaho: Northern Arizona put together a bit of a run at the end of the game and that was the difference, as the Lumberjacks defeated Idaho , 72-65. … The Vandals announced another effort to get a basketball arena built on campus. Sean Kramer has the story .

• Chiefs: Besides Blanchette’s column on Vukota (linked above), we can offer a story on Everett’s struggles of late as well as Tri-City welcoming back a former player.

• Preps: Jim Allen has a feature today on the basketball success at Rogers High this season. … There was some basketball yesterday, with Idaho holding its girls’ basketball tournaments. We have a roundup .

• Seahawks: A quick note. The Seattle Times changed its on-line look today and I struggled to find the blogs for the Hawks, Mariners and Sounders. I’ll keep searching. I did find some posts from yesterday on Jeremy Lane’s injuries and whatnot. … John Schneider spoke at the combine and detailed those injuries – they are worse than anyone suspected – as well as some other items . … One item on everyone’s mind: Marshawn Lynch’s future . … No team in Los Angeles for years. Now there might be two . Odd.

• Mariners: There is always a lot to watch at spring training but the weirdest sighting yesterday was something that featured a lot less. Jesus Montero has shed weight, lots of weight, and looks totally different. Ryan Divish has pictures . … Tom Wilhemsen’s contract status will be decided today. … The outfield is today’s previewed position . … The past should stay in the past . As should complaining about travel.

• Sounders: The Sounders announced yesterday a friendly with Tijuana next month at CenturyLink. … More from the general manager .

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• Yes, Friday’s are easy to like. The gateway to the weekend. And the summation of the work week. Until later …