COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- Already wrote this clever little lead-in once. Then my computer ate it. So just keep reading if you want to keep reading.

...

The big news out of WSU yesterday was Mike Leach saying that Marquess Wilson has recanted his previous statements about the coaching staff. We have a story and a blog post on the matter. On the basketball side, here's our game story from WSU's win over Idaho, as well as our postgame recap on the blog. ... Howie Stalwick has a story on the game, as well as briefs from Leach's press conference and about Shadle Park quarterback Brett Rypien receiving a scholarship offer from WSU. ... Bud Withers has a story about Leach's comments in The Seattle Times. Withers also has this look-ahead at the 2013 season.

Around the Pac-12 ... Former Colorado coach Jon Embree said yesterday he might have kept his job if he were white instead of black. ... The Pac-12 championship game missed the mark again when it comes to a snazzy matchup. UCLA is reaping the benefits. ... An update on California's coaching search. ... Might some Oregon State assistants be headed elsewhere? ... USC and one of its fiercest rivals are evidence that rankings can be pretty silly. ... Handing out some awards at Arizona State.

There were six other Pac-12 basketball games yesterday ... Washington used 27 points from C.J. Wilcox to beat Saint Louis, 66-61. ... Stanford lost a key player for the season, but beat Seattle University, 68-57. ... Arizona State beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 67-54. ... Arizona had no problem with Northern Arizona in a 93-50 victory. ... Utah failed its first road test, losing 62-55 to SMU in Dallas. ... Josh Smith quit the UCLA basketball team, but the Bruins soldiered on for an 82-56 win over Cal-State Northridge.

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

---

---