A Boxing Day post from WSU
COUGARS
I guess it's traditional on the day after Christmas to write about boxing on most sports blogs. It is, after all, boxing day. But being the only thing I know about the sweet science these days is Andre Ward is the best super middleweight in the world, I don't believe I'm qualified ... what, boxing day doesn't have anything to do with boxing? Oh. ... Nevermind. Read on.
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• Washington State: After a few days spent connecting with the family – and I know this is a bit late, but happy holidays to all of you – and dealing with the wrapping paper piles around the living room, we're back on the blog. With basketball news. After all, the Pac-12 season opens Thursday. For the Cougars that's in Spokane at the arena, with Oregon coming to town. We have our Pac-12 preview story in today's S-R. I've been watching Pac-10/12 basketball for a long time and I can't remember a more confusing conference race after the preseason part of the schedule. Really, who is the favorite? California, probably, but the Bears are dealing with some injury problems and they didn't have a bunch of depth to begin with. Stanford's and Oregon State's records may have been built more on their competition than anything else, while Arizona and UCLA might still be the best teams despite their average nonconference marks. And then where do the Cougars, Huskies and Ducks fall? Like I said, confusing. ... Cougfan had a couple of interesting items the past couple days with the news about a former Duck kicker committing out of junior college and then this interview with a former Texas Tech quarterback.
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• Around the Pac-12: There is still some football games to take care of, though bowl games haven't been a common occurrence in this area the past few years. ... The Huskies are in San Antonio getting ready for Baylor and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. They also may have to deal with the Chris Polk decision soon. ... The Rose Bowl is back to where it should be, pitting the champions of the Big Ten and the Pac-12. ... Wisconsin has a veteran presence and we're not talking football experience here. ... The Ducks might be without a bowl for a while if the NCAA investigation turns up any improprieties. ... Stanford is also in a BCS bowl, though the Cardinal are dealing with some sadness. ... Even Utah is in a bowl. ... By that token, I guess we should write even Cal is in a bowl. ... .
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• That's it for this morning. We'll return here as events warrant, but tomorrow morning for sure. Until then ...
