Hoops 4-0

The WSU Basketball team hasn't really had a challenge this year and that continued Tuesday night with a 67-41 win over Canisius. It was a first round game in the Legends Classic Tournament and now the Cougs head to New Jersey to face undefeated, and very athletic Mississippi State. This will be the first big test for WSU this year. Should be a good game.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2008437174_webcoug25.html

Lots of quotes on the game and a bit of talk about Freshman PG Michael Hartun, who has been suspened by Tony Bennett for three games. The reason for the suspension is still unknown.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/sportslink/archive/?postID=8788#more

Lots of football notes regarding Apple Cup, the Lesuma brothers returning to Hawaii this week and some scheduling notes regarding next year. The Cougs are still searching for one more game next season.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cougars/389411_coug26.html

And in case you missed it. Say goodbye to ESPN's Bottom 10. The Cougs are no longer on the list. UW has the honor as the worst team in the land.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=bottom100813

And a video from the Apple Cup by the Seattle Times, which I got interviewed for. That is me, a few drinks deep towards the end of the video.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1509319618?bctid=3027097001

No Words Needed

I am extremely tired and hungover from a great weekend in Pullman. Be back tomorrow with lots of updates on Apple Cup and Hoops.

Basketball Cruises To 2-0

The Cougs won the game, but a sloppy first half is probably what stood out to Coach Tony Bennett last night. Here are some basketball updates.

Andy Katz of ESPN is starting to take notice of the Cougs once again. He had this to say on his updates today. "Washington State's defense has been phenomenal so far. The Cougars went on a 28-0 run to start the game against Mississippi Valley State last weekend and won 76-25. Washington State then held Fairleigh Dickinson to 33 points in the 22-point win Tuesday night."

From the Seattle PI. A very good read. A Q&A session with Freshman DeAngelo Casto and Klay Thompson.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/388575_wsufrosh20.html

Future Coach Taylor Rochestie is interviewed about the performance of the Freshman so far.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/388621_wsumen20.html

Apple Cup Updates

Same article, different author. An article from the Seattle PI talking about two bad teams matching up. The game just needs to get here.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/thiel/388443_thiel19.html

The man who has to win this game for WSU is Brandon Gibson. It is the senior's last game at Martin Stadium. He had this to say, "I'm going to leave with a win and leave the fans happy," He needs at least ten touches in this game. Put him in at kick return and punt return. We need a spark from somewhere.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cougars/388581_coug20.html

An article from the News Tribune on the youth of both teams playing Saturday. Also how the new faces feel about playing in their first rivalry game.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/542601.html

A front page article from ESPN.com's College FB section. Ted Miller writes about how this game still matters to the players and the fans.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=rivalryweek/applecup

Bulletin Board Material

UW Linebacker, Donald Butler may have provided a little bit of bulletin board material in a Jim Moore article today. "That's just comedy," Butler said of Wulff's remarks. "It's Wazzu, we always beat Wazzu. That's just him trying to put a statement out there for his players and the people in Pullman to say he's going to fight us. I appreciate that." Interesting comments for a guy that has beat WSU once. Hopefully it can get the team a bit fired up for Saturday.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/moore/388248_moore18.html

The Tacoma News Tribune has an article about how no one may be more saddened to see Willingham leave UW than Cougar fans. He has a 1-2 record against WSU. Both losses were at Husky Stadium.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/541144.html

Some notes on Jake Locker not playing and how Ronnie Fouch ranks last in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/541156.html

10 ways to get through Saturday's Apple Cup.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081118/SPORTS/711189821#10.ways.to.survive.Saturdays.Crapple.Cup

Cougar injury notes. The offense is almost at full strength, good news.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/sportslink/archive/?postID=8726#more

Apple Cup Notes & Harrison Goes Big

From the Seattle Times, Vegas has decided the Cougs are the worse team of the two, and UW thinks they can still find motivation for the game.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskies/2008399147_uwfb17.html

For the WSU side of things, Wulff doesn't seem concerned that his team won't be fired up and it appears Kevin Lopina might play after suffering a mild concussion last week.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2008399378_coug17.html

Howie Stalwick of the Seattle PI breaks down the WSU coaching staff a bit, offering six positive and six negative things they have done this year. Finding six positives is kind of a stretch, but he does it.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cougars/388260_coug18.html

Jim Moore chimes in on the state of the WSU and UW football teams. All while throwing in some zingers at UW.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/moore/388115_moore17.html

Tacoma News Tribune and how someone has to win this game. Despite the records I think this is going to be a very entertaining game. Both defenses are terrible so there should be some points scored.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/540082.html

Vince Grippi takes a more detailed look at the game.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/sportslink/archive/?postID=8723#more

Some Basketball notes, WSU begins the Legend Classic Tourney tomorrow against Fairleigh Dickinson in Pullman.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/388235_wsumen18.html

And Finally, Jerome Harrison turned in the play of the game running for a 72 yard TD for the Browns in a win over Buffalo. Harrison finished with 3 carries for 80 yards. He needs to touch the ball more, he has been making plays all season.

Gibson Breaks Record

Congrats to Brandon Gibson who has broken the WSU record for receiving yards on Saturday. If we are going to beat UW on Saturday, Gibson needs to have game like he did last year. It will be fun to watch Gibson make plays in the NFL next season and beyond.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cougars/388049_cougbok16.html

And with that it is officially Apple Cup week. While WSU and UW are having horrible seasons, bragging rights are still on the line. I've heard there is even a small chance of snow for Saturday. Should be a fun week.

Some AC notes from Vince Grippi. Looks like Chantz Staden is going to be missing the game. Hopefully Chris Ivory has a chance to play this week. His hamstring is causing him problems once again.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/sportslink/archive/?postID=8716#more

Howie Stalwick of the Tacoma News Tribune also has some notes.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/539376.html