4:46 PM Fri, Oct 02, 2009 | Permalink |
Word out of Eugene today is that Oregon Ducks Head Coach Chip Kelly will reinstate Running Back LeGarrette Blount, after initially suspending him for the season after landing a punch on an opposing player following the loss at Boise State last month.
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5:10 PM Wed, Sep 30, 2009 | Permalink |
Yes, I'm sure every Cougar fan would have you believe Ron Artest isn't the final piece to a Los Angeles Lakers repeat. Of course, it's guard Thomas Kelati. The defending NBA champs have signed the former Coug to a free agent deal.
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4:39 PM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink |
As you've all heard by now, Oregon suspended RB LeGarrette Blount for the season for punching Boise State DE Byron Hout. The punch came after Hout went out of his way, ran up to Blount and taunted him. The Oregon Ducks did the wrong thing.
First off, Blount should be suspended indefinitely with the stipulation he can play again only if he shows remorse, completes anger management, and apologizes to Hout, the Broncos, and his team.
Make sure the suspension runs through half the season and possibly through three-quarters of it. But give him a chance to bounce back. This is college. This is where kids learn to become adults. This is place for teenagers can make mistakes before they go out into the real world.
A couple of years ago, former Duck basketball player Aaron Brooks gave then Huskies guard Ryan Appleby a vicious forearm shiver to the face. Brooks was suspended two games. Yes, 2 games. Not the season. Not the rest of the season (in all fairness it was the PAC-10 tournament and Oregon's season was over). But two games at the beginning of the next season. The suspension had little or no impact on the team.
So what happened to Brooks? He stayed in school. He stayed at Oregon, instead of transferring closer to home (Seattle). He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Draft. Brooks is now a starter with Houston. The former Duck also went on a tear during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Brooks got the message. He sat his 2 games and was given a chance to mature. Blount deserves that same opportunity. Some of the so-called "experts" say he's gone from 2nd or 3rd rounder to undraftable.
Oregon instead went with a knee-jerk reaction because it was all over the headlines. Ten to twenty years ago, a coach at a major institution would have maybe made the athlete run extra sprints or hold him out of the next game, provided it was against a creme puff team. But now there's a hypersensitivity to anything bad. In order to appease the masses and act like you know what you're doing, Oregon (or any school doling out punishment) acts swiftly and, in my opinion, unjustly.
"Football at the University of Oregon is a privilege, and with that privilege goes responsibilities" -- Oregon head coach Chip Kelly
Someone should also tell coach Kelly it's a privilege to coach a football. Coach Kelly and Boise State coach Chris Peterson should bear some responsibility. Both need to realize it's their privilege to teach the student/athletes the proper way to act before, during and after the game. Coach Kelly should learn it's a privilege and his duty to escort Blount out of the stadium before another incident, like with the fans, could happen. Coach Peterson should tell Hout it's a privilege to play football. It sounds like the instigator will only get a talkin' to. Coach Peterson and Boise State should tell their fans that it's a privilege to watch a college football game. Will those fans get suspended or banned from games? I doubt it.
This is an event where everyone needs to take part of the blame. Of course, Blount should shoulder the most for his actions. If nothing else, every institution and coach across america can use this as a learning experience. It's too bad Oregon went too far and failed to provide one for Blount.
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2:01 PM Mon, May 25, 2009 | Permalink |
The Washington State baseball team opens play in the NCAA tournament on Friday against Arkansas. It's an 11 a.m. (PT) start in Norman, Oklahoma. The Cougs (31-23) finished second in the Pac-10. Arkansas (34-22) is seeded second in the four-team, double elimination tournament.
These two teams played a three-game series in Arkansas to open the season back in February. The Razorbacks swept the series by a combined five runs.
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2:48 PM Tue, May 19, 2009 | Permalink |
I'm torn, as a Cougar, whether to bash on this or feel some sympathy for the Dawgs. The Tyee Club has started two new programs to help their fellow Husky fans who are down on their luck in these tough economic times.
The first one is called "Support a Dawg". For a $500 donation, you would provide 2 Husky fans season tickets for 2009. The second one is called "Support a Dawg Family". As it implies, it gives a family of 4 season tickets for the 2009 season.
The tickets are supposedly to go to the approximately 100 season ticket holders who did not renew for 2009. I guess the sympathetic part of me says it's a nice idea. They can help a family keep their interest in sports and watch it live. Going to a college game is a great experience. Before seeing the light and becoming a Cougar, I went to a couple of Husky games. I watched the Huskies beat Nebraska in 1992. The group I went with sailed into Husky Stadium, docked, and watched a heckuva game. It definitely was an experience I'll never forget. Plus, I think everyone should support their team, some how or some way. I believe, under Steve Sarkisian, the Dawgs can return to being a respectable participant in the PAC-10.
Ok, here's the Cougar side of me, aka common sense side. It's like the girl your dating who thinks you should be friends. The girl doesn't feel that spark. Well the Huskies haven't had a winning record since 2002. Add on top of that, former A.D. Todd Turner raised the ticket prices 31% in 2005, during their current losing streak. It's so bad that, either by mistake or on purpose, the UW didn't put in the past season schedules & records in the 2008 media guide. Trust me, it was a shock to me. Usually college media guides put them in so you can find out a team's record from 1977 with who did they beat and who did the lose to. I guess to make my "girlfriend" point, the Dawgs have gone from 55,000 season ticket holders to 40,000 because they've started a new tradition of losing and uninteresting football (Sorry Jake Locker). By the way, that number 55-grand came from 2002, their last winning season. So please, don't blame it on tough economic times. It's the fans nice way of saying "let's be friends" because the ticket price isn't worth it anymore.
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4:26 PM Wed, May 13, 2009 | Permalink |
The Associated Press reports new Cougar hoops coach Ken Bone has signed his 7-year contract. He'll make about $650,000 plus incentives in his first year, $750, 000 in his second, and $850,000 in his third season. According to the report, the final four years, any additional raises will be negotiated.
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7:11 PM Mon, May 11, 2009 | Permalink |
Yes, the Cougars are breaking out a new look June 12th in Pasco. The school's going to unveil its Nike uni's at Broadmoor RV/Towne Crier Tri-Cities Tailgate. It'll happen around 6:30pm. At 7:30pm, those uniforms go live on WSUCougars.com. You can attend the live event in Pasco. For that info and the official news release, click on the jump.
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3:45 PM Fri, May 08, 2009 | Permalink |
The Cougars just sent out a news release about defensive end Cory Mackey's condition.
Mackey was in car crash near Washtucna. He was first at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, now he's at Harborview. He's at Harborview atKadlec Medical Center in Richland some hospital in the state of Washington. He's in stable serious condition. No other details about the crash or his injuries were given. Mackey had finished school for the year and was heading home. The Cougs official news release is after the jump.
UPDATE: According to the Washington State Patrol report, Mackey fell asleep at the wheel, went off the road, hit an embankment and rolled his car. His car was totalled, according to the report.
2nd UPDATE: Mackey's father called the investigating trooper and told him Cory broke his back, but no spinal cord injury, according to a WSP spokesman.
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10:37 PM Wed, Apr 15, 2009 | Permalink |
According the Spokesman Review, that's a good posibility. That newspaper reports a deal is close to moving it to Qwest Field sometime after the 2009 season. Both teams would make $2 million each.
"Nothing is signed and there are no agreements, but they are talking and there are some negotiations going on." - Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson from Spokesman Review
Financially, it's a great idea for both schools. They would make a lot more money off the game. But wouldn't the Apple Cup lose some luster?
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5:29 PM Sat, Apr 11, 2009 | Permalink |
The NCAA is telling fans Facebook recruiting is illegal in their eyes. The Associated Press reports and cites a situation with big-time basketball recruit John Wall. A North Carolina State freshman and fan set up a Facebook account to campaign for Wall to go to play for the Wolfpack. Over 700 people signed up on the Facebook page to help encourage Wall. The fan calls it a first amendment right, but the NCAA calls it a recruiting issue.
I think it brings up an interesting point. Technology is advancing with different ways to communicate with recruits (Kelvin Sampson and texting) that it's going to be difficult for NCAA to keep up with it. Plus, you know coaches are going to take advantage of it, until the NCAA rules on certain aspects of social networking. Look at Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian and his foray into Twitter, Facebook, and more. I'm not saying he's doing anything illegal, but he's definitely taking advantage of it, and smartly so. I'm sure it's helping Sark communicate with the teenagers on a level they feel comfortable with.
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4:00 PM Fri, Apr 10, 2009 | Permalink |
There is pretty good news coming out of Pullman today. The Cougars kept one of the team's top assistants, Ben Johnson. You may remember former head coach Tony Bennett gave Johnson a vote of confidence to replace him.
The Cougs also gave recruit David Chadwick his release from Wazzu. His family was friends with coach Tony, so it made sense to let him go. To see the official news release on Johnson, click on the jump.
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4:43 PM Mon, Apr 06, 2009 | Permalink |
UPDATE: The Cougars have just confirmed that Ken Bone indeed will be the next head basketball coach. They'll introduce him tomorrow in Pullman. The official news release is after the jump.
Our sister station KREM-TV in Spokane reports that Portland State's Ken Bone will become the next Cougars head basketball coach. I just spoke with Wazzu's Sports Information Department, and they say they'll have something out within the hour about a new hire. So all signs point to former PSU and Seattle Pacific coach Ken Bone. We'll give you updates, as they come in.
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2:04 PM Sun, Apr 05, 2009 | Permalink |
The Cougars have interviewed University of Alabama Birmingham head coach Mike Davis, according to the Spokesman Review. Athletic Director Jim Sterk interviewed Davis over the Final Four weekend. Apparently, Davis joins Portland State coach Ken Bone and, surprisingly, former Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter as candidates for Tony Bennett's old job. You may remember, Davis was Indiana's head coach after Bobby Knight left the school.
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4:09 PM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | Permalink |
Viriginia released Tony Bennett's financial package. The former Cougars coach will receive $1.7 million per year for 5 seasons. Plus, he gets a $500,000 signing bonus and $500,000 if he stays five seasons. So he'll get $2.2 million in his first year, including the bonus. He was making a million at WSU. Anyways, Virginia's official news release is after the jump.
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7:17 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
The Oregonian is reporting that the Cougars have asked permission from Portland State to talk to men's basketball coach Ken Bone about their recent opening. Bone seems like a logical choice. He knows the landscape of the Northwest. He's from Seattle. Plus, he already has head coaching experience. And he loves the Northwest. Here's a quote from Bone just weeks ago.
"I really want to coach basketball in the Northwest where we can be successful. When you start looking around, there are a lot of schools like that in the Northwest, but I don't foresee those coaches going anywhere real soon." --- from the Oregonian's website 3/30/09
I guess things have changed now that Tony Bennett has accepted a job with Virginia. The Oregonian is also speculating that SDSU's Bill Grier, St. Mary's Randy Bennett, and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin could be candidates for the job.
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6:30 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
The body barely cold, but I guess there's no time like the present to think of who'll be the next coach. Who should replace Tony Bennett? Here are a few contenders:
Ken Bone - Portland State head coach - All he does is win. He's 77-49 at PSU. For the past two seasons he's been 23-10 and taken his team to the NCAA tournament. In 13 seasons at Seattle Pacific, he went 251-97 with 8 trips to the NCAA D2 tourney. Again, he's a winner and from the Northwest. He's 50 and born in Seattle.
Cameron Dollar - Huskies assistant coach - They took a chance on Tony Bennett, why not on Dollar? He has no head coaching experience, but you get him a veteran coach on his bench and he may not need any. He's a great assistant. Former Husky Brandon Roy speaks highly of him. Here's an ESPN the Magazine article on how he's a great motivator. Plus, he won a title as a player at UCLA. Dollar knows the PAC-10 and the Northwest (he's been an assistant for Romar since 2002.
Randy Bennett - St. Mary's head coach - He's familiar with Tony's recruits from the Australia/New Zealand area. He's got Patty Mills on his current team. Bennett has spent the past 7 seasons at St. Mary's with a 127-90 record. He took them to 2 NCAA Tournaments.
Ray Giacoletti - Gonzaga assistant - He's been a head coach at Utah, Eastern and North Dakota State. Although his record at all three stops were average to good. Nothing overwhelming.
Vince Taylor - Minnesota assistant - He's spent the past 12 plus seasons as an assistant coach. He's currently with the Gophers. Taylor helped bring in a top-10 class this upcoming season. He was also an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwovles. He's featured in the same article as Cameron Dollar on ESPN the Magazine. Taylor's info is the 4th story down.
Mark Montgomery - Michigan State associate head coach - He's been with the Spartans for 8 seasons. Tom Izzo has a decent coaching tree. Montgomery is young and would be a nice fit for Wazzu. He grew up in Michigan, so there wouldn't be any ties to stay on the west coast.
Any thoughts? I think Bone and Dollar really jump out because of their proximity.
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3:59 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
The Cougars sent out a news release on Tony Bennett's departure to Virginia. Here's Athletic Director Jim Sterk's response:
"Dick and Tony Bennett have elevated the men's basketball program at Washington State to an unprecedented level of success. We will begin a national search for a coach immediately with the goal of finding someone with the integrity, experience, and values that Dick and Tony brought to the program."
According to the release, Virginia asked Sterk for permission to talk to Bennett last Friday. Today, Bennett told Sterk, then the players about his decision to leave. The whole news release is after the jump.
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2:52 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
Our NBC affiliate in Spokane, KHQ, has confirmed that Tony Bennett is taking the Virginia job. They spoke with a source close to Bennett.
To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about this. Coach Tony, as he's called by his players, is a great guy. He's been very friendly and helpful to the media. He usually gets quality players who happen to be quality people as well. He's helped start/continue a winning program with his dad, Dick.
On the other side, the Cougs gave him his start. He's only 39. Why not try to build on his recruiting class and current team to build more of a tradition? Why not spend more time with the school that gave you your first coaching job, and at the PAC-10 level nonetheless and not a small school, and work on establishing yourself. Again, he's only 39. It's not like he's 49 and with limited time to find something else. And as a Coug (from the Ryan Leaf years), I really hoped and wanted him to stay.
Sound off on your thoughts. Be easy Huskies, don't kick a dead dog (or coug in this case). Is this a good move for coach Tony? And what does this mean for Wazzu?
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2:36 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | Permalink |
Say it isn't so Tony? Rumors and reports say Cougars coach Tony Bennett is going to Virginia. The Daily Progress out of Charlottesville, Virginia write they have a confirmed sources at U of Va that Bennett will be the Cavaliers next head coach. For what it's worth, all of this is news to WSU. Our NBC affiliate in Spokane called them in Pullman and they didn't know about it yet. Seattle Times UW beat writer Bob Condotta is already speculating that Portland State coach Ken Bone could be an early candidate.
Wow, that is a shocker considering all the schools Bennett has turned down in the past. Virginia is no where near traditionally hoops rich school like Indiana or LSU. They haven't been relevant since Ralph Sampson played there in the early 80's. If this is true, Tony will have his hands full against Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, and the rest of the ACC.
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4:49 PM Tue, Mar 24, 2009 | Permalink |
Maybe I should have used 4 really's. The PAC-10 rattled off it's All-Academic team today. Four Cougars made the 1st team. Of course, the All-Academic team is smarter than the All-PAC-10 team. The AA team has five players. The AP team has 10. Here's the list:
MEN'S BASKETBALL
First Team
Name, School, Year, GPA, Major
Aron Baynes, WSU, Sr., 3.24, Movement Studies
Derek Glasser, ASU, Jr., 3.14, Communication
Daven Harmeling, WSU, RS-Sr., 3.54, Heath and Fitness
Nikola Koprivica, WSU, Jr., 3.39, International Business
Taylor Rochestie, WSU, RS-Sr., 3.37, Communication
Second Team
Name, School, Year, GPA, Major
Nikola Knezevic, CAL, Jr., 3.03, Interdisciplinary Studies
Rihards, Kuksiks, ASU, So., 3.07, Business Communication
Roeland Schaftenaar, OSU, Jr., 3.17, Pre-Business
Drew Shiller, STAN, Jr., 3.08, Communication
Jordan Wilkes, CAL, Sr., 3.13, Social Welfare
BTW, as you can see, no Husky made the list.
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8:22 PM Wed, Mar 18, 2009 | Permalink |
I'm actually all for the extra post-season basketball tournaments such as the NIT, CBI, and CIT. That is until about an hour ago.
Just a night after watching the Cougars struggle at St. Mary's... I watched Oregon State in the first half of their game at Gill Coliseum against Houston in the College Basketball Invitational.
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6:27 PM Wed, Mar 18, 2009 | Permalink |
Wazzu sent out a news release today to confirm the men's basketball team's opponant in the 2009 Cougars Hardwood Classic. The Cougs will face the LSU Tigers. Former Stanford coach Trent Johnson led the Tigers to an SEC championship in his first year there. This game should be a good one. Ticket information won't be made until this summer. The official news release is after the jump.
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4:21 PM Wed, Mar 18, 2009 | Permalink |
President Obama filled out his bracket, and he doesn't have much love for the Pac-10, even though is brother coaches at Oregon State.
Here's the link to Obama's bracket.
President Obama has UW winning in the first round, then losing to Purdue. He has every other Pac-10 team losing in the first round. President Obama likes the Zags to make the Sweet 16, then lose to North Carolina.
What do you think about his picks? How would he do in your bracket challenge?
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11:13 AM Wed, Mar 18, 2009 | Permalink |
I just watched President Barack Obama make his NCAA picks on ESPN. He had the Huskies losing in the round of 32 to Purdue. Obama moved Gonzaga to the Sweet 16, but picked North Carolina over the Zags in the Sweet 16. The President declared it an off-year for the PAC-10. Do you agree? How far do you have the Huskies and Zags going in your bracket?
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11:29 PM Mon, Mar 16, 2009 | Permalink |
The Seahawks and Lions have essentially traded tight ends over the past few weeks. Free agent tight end Will Heller signed a one-year deal with the Lions. Just last week, the Hawks inked Lions free agent TE John Owens to a deal.
Also, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Leonard Weaver's decision could come soon. It sounds like he's deciding between the Hawks and the Bucs. The Eagles appear to be out of the running. Maybe the Julian Peterson trade helped free up some cap space to give Weaver some extra dough.
Former Cougar Brandon Gibson skipped out on his Pro Day March 11th in Pullman. He's going to work out for the Pro Scouts March 28th at Chief Sealth. Strangely enough, QB Gary Rogers had a great Pro Day stat wise.
Gary Rogers (6-6 3/8, 224 pounds), who ran 4.74 and 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash and posted a 35-inch vertical, a 9-foot, 2-inch broad jump, a 4.23-second short shuttle and a 6.99-second three-cone drill.
Pretty good numbers. The only thing is, being a good athlete doesn't neccessarily translate into being a good pro football player. Ask the Eagles about Mike Mamula.
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