COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- It's another gameday in Pullman, though this one doesn't bring as much hype as the last. Nevertheless, the Cougars will play a basketball game against Fresno State today at noon, and we'll be there. First, links.

...

In today's newspaper, we have an advance of the game -- which you can watch on the Pac-12 Network at 12 p.m. -- focusing on the return and rejuvenation of Davonte Lacy. On the blog last night, we posted about the report that Jeff Choate has taken the defensive coordinator job at UTEP, though there has been no official confirmation from either party. ... Mike Leach is quoted in this story about new California coach Sonny Dykes. Most interesting, maybe, is that Leach said he thought Cal was in "the top three" in the Pac-12 in terms of athleticism.

In Pac-12 basketball action yesterday ... Washington lost to Nevada for the second consecutive season, 76-73. ... Arizona claimed a convincing, 66-54 win over Clemson on the road. ... Arizona State's big man collected a triple-double -- the first in schcool history -- in the Sun Devils' 87-76 win over Cal State-Northridge. ... Oregon had little trouble hammering Idaho State 87-35. ... Oregon State coasted to an easy win over Grambling State, 85-54. ... UCLA's 65-63 win over Texas was more comical than anything else. ... USC lost at home to No. 14 Minnesota, 71-57. ... Colorado was crushed by No. 9 Kansas, 90-54. ... California wants to see where it stands against ranked teams when it faces No. 21 UNLV today. A Golden Bears player learned his academic lesson last season. ... If you're wondering why there's something a little off about the basketball broadcasts on the Pac-12 Network this weekend, it's because freelance technical employees who work on such events are on strike against the network.

In Pac-12 football news ... Who might star in Cal's new offense? ... UCLA isn't going over the wall anymore. ... Washington's defensive coordinator doesn't think he has a big advantage against his former employer in the Las Vegas Bowl. ... A Colorado booster might have a big say in who the school hires to be its next football coach. ... A few Oregon State football players are in trouble after an altercation at a bar. ... Kenjon Barner is readying to play in his final collegiate game. ... Todd Graham is proud after a successful first season at Arizona State.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple