In this case, missing a block is a good thing
A GRIP ON SPORTS
One thing I never worry about: writer's block. I just yell "lookout," as I did years ago on the football field, and move on. So, like those quarterbacks and running backs of yesteryear, you've been warned. Read on.
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• Staring at a blank computer screen sometime before 7 in the morning isn't fun. You know you have to fill it up with words, but they can't be just any words. They have to make some sense. And they have to interest you folks. Some days it is a tough assignment. Other days, it's easy. Guess which one today is? Yep, like Gonzaga in the first half last night, I'm struggling. It's not so much I don't want to take shots, sure I do. But finding the net? That's tough. Here we are halfway through our post and the opposition, in this case, banality, is winning. But just like the Bulldogs, I'm sure the second half will be better. I was sure last night. After watching the first 20 minutes, I headed upstairs to the computer at intermission. Sure, Gonzaga trailed. But the Zags weren't going to lose. That never seemed to be an option. I know an underdog can come into the Kennel and hit tough shots for a while, it's happened a lot over the years. And a couple have been able to continue their roll for an entire game. But Southeastern Louisiana just didn't seem to have the look of a closer. The Lions were making tough shots under duress that first 20 minutes and, due to an inability to finish, oftentimes at the rim, Gonzaga trailed 33-32 at halftime. But, like Alfred E. Neumann, I wasn't worried. By the time I had wrestled my eyeballs away from the computer, the Zags were well into a 30-4 run that began the second half and were assured of being 7-0 going into Saturday's showdown with third-ranked Arizona. If you only look at the final score, 76-57, you would probably think it was a cakewalk. It wasn't. Just like the previous 300 words.
• High school basketball got underway yesterday in the area, which means every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings we will be linking stories and roundups from around the area. But if you are really interested in the games, make sure you check out nwprepsnow.com each day. Not only are the stories and pictures available, the box scores from just about every game can be found there as well. As a box score junkie, it's like heaven for me. Not only can I see who shot well and scored a ton of points, I can also see who didn't. And that tells a story as well.
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• WSU: The Pac-12 released its all-conference football teams yesterday and, as usual, there was some controversy. In Cougar-land, the omission of wide receiver Vince Mayle from the first team seemed egregious. But it's hard to argue with the two receivers the conference coaches did pick, USC's Nelson Agholor and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong. Both had more than 1,000 yards receiving and played for winning teams. Mayle's statistics were better but the lack of success in Pullman this season – as well as his propensity to drop passes at times – probably hurt his chances immeasurably. Jacob Thorpe has a story and a blog post on the selections. ... Jacob also has an advance on tonight's basketball game with Idaho, a continuation of the most-played rivalry west of the Mississippi. The game is also part of his morning post with links. ... Jacob also put up this blog post yesterday with numbers from the Cougars' football season. ... Friday's championship game will not only decide the Pac-12 title, but also determine who goes where in bowl games.
• Gonzaga: Jim Meehan was in the Kennel last night, as usual, and he has this game story and blog post from the game. ... To defeat BYU, you better be ready to play lockdown defense on the Cougars' guards. Utah State couldn't last night. ... Tom Clouse is back with a women's basketball notebook, leading with the game tonight in Cheney pitting the Bulldogs and Eastern Washington.
• EWU: Gee, there were reports out of Missoula yesterday Beau Baldwin is one of the Griz's leading candidates as head coach. Why not? Baldwin has been the most successful Big Sky coach the past five years, so why wouldn't conference's richest team come a calling? Baldwin dealt with the rumors yesterday and Jim Allen has the story. By the way, Montana is in town this Saturday for an FCS second-round playoff game. ... Jim also has this piece on Vernon Adams being named a Walter Payton Award finalist for the second consecutive year. That's despite missing four games with a broken foot.
• Chiefs: It's Wednesday, so Chris Derrick has his WHL notebook in the paper. ... Portland got past Victoria, 6-4, on the road last night. ... Everett is having trouble finishing games.
• Preps: It only seems right to kick off the high school basketball season with Greg Lee covering a Gonzaga Prep girls game. After all, the Bullpups played the final game last season, when they won the 4A state title. ... We also have a GSL boys roundup to pass along as well as boys and girls roundups from around the area.
• Seahawks: A couple wins have the Hawks feeling like young pups again. But it's an older tight end, Tony Moeki, who has really helped their offense. ... The Eagles, coached by former Oregon head man Chip Kelly, presents some problems for the revitalized Seattle defense. But so does Russell Wilson for Philadelphia. ... The Hawks would like to have a week with fewer penalties than their opponents.
• Mariners: What does the Nelson Cruz signing mean for Seattle? Does it mean the M's are throwing caution to the win and trying to win now? Or does it mean something else? No matter what, Cruz should be better than the DHs Seattle trotted out last season. ... The club made Kyle Seager's contract extension official yesterday and also made a roster move. ... Alex Jackson is considered the M's best prospect.
• Sounders: Though Obafemi Martins and Chad Marshall made the MLS' all-star team, the Sounders were shut out in two awards announced yesterday. Sigi Schmid finished second in coach of the year voting and Stefan Frei was third in the comeback race.
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• What freaking writer's block? Not me. I powered through today. Now tomorrow, that's another story. ... By the way, I'll be on 700 ESPN for a three-hour tour this afternoon ("... a three-hour tour. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed ..."), joining Dennis Patchin and Rick Lukens, starting at 3. You can listen here if you like. Until then ...