NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Washington State Cougars blogger Britton Ransford weighs in today with a fun little piece he was assigned. The top 5 most memorable WSU Cougars football moments he can remember in his lifetime. Big plays and stifling defense highlighted the 2003 Holiday Bowl. Who forgets the 1997 Ryan Leaf Apple Cup, or 2007 at UW Alex Brink’s last game?
NWSB’s Washington State Cougars blogger Insider Steve tells us today the real competition hasn’t started yet with regards to Jeff Tuel vs. Connor Halliday at Cougs offseason practices. It won’t begin until Halliday is 100% healthy and on the practice field giving Tuel his best shot. At that point Coach Mike Leach can begin the process of evaluating these two.
NWSB Insider — keeps us up to date with how the Pac-12 teams in the Pacific Northwest will be starting their seasons off. The Washington Huskies will have the toughest test against LSU, but Oregon needs to be wary of Arkansas St. who could surprise them after NFL draft casualties. Washington St. plays good teams with UNLV and BYU. Keith Price, De’Anthony Thomas, Jeff Tuel, Sean Mannion your front and center.
NWSB Insider Steve also a Washington State Cougars blogger tells us this week there are certain things outside of the realm of football that Mike Leach stresses on his players that Chip Kelly falls by the wayside. Insider fully expects Chip Kelly to move on to the NFL because in his mind he’s already there. Washington State will be in a much better situation than Oregon because of it.
NWSB insider Q brings us an interesting take on the Washington State offseason and a look into next season. With Mike Leach taking over the helms of the team, many are wondering if he can bring the Cougar football program back to relevance as they have died out in the Pac-12. With Jeff Tuel and Marquess Wilson still around, can they reload and make a run in the Pac12?
NWSB insider Blair Thomas brings us his analysis on the Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball program. He lays out a number of reasons why he respects Mark Few and job he’s doing with the Bulldogs program. The Bulldogs are simply better than their Pac-12 counterparts. McCarthey Athletic Center. Finding under the radar players and great guards, John Stockton, Matt Santangelo, Quentin Hall, Richie Frahm, Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp, Derek Raivio, and Jeremy Pargo.
NWSB Insider Steve Lee has been following Washington State Men’s Basketball recruiting for the 2012-2013 recruiting class. Coach Ken Bone found some future stars in Demarquise Johnson, Brett Boese, Richard Longrus and big man Richard Peters. With the addition of these four recruits, the Cougars will be able to fill in the gaps from the 2012 departures.
NWSB Insider and Washington St. Cougars blogger Insider Steve tells us his opinions and take on the second arrest in 4 days for former Cougars star quarterback Ryan Leaf. He points out no matter how bad his disease is, it doesn’t mean Leaf gets a free pass. The truth of the situation is sometimes people have to learn the hard way to live life. He’s not in control of himself, and clearly needs a lot of help.
NWSB insider Blair Thomas raises an interesting question regarding Washington State Cougars men’s hoops. Is Ken Bone the right man to lead in 2012? Although he has a winning record in his current stay with Washington State, his lack of recruiting and conference wins may ultimately doom him in the end.
NWSB College Hoops beat writer Steve Lee previews which PAC12 teams could make shockwaves in the annual PAC12 Tournament. This year’s tourney is at the Staples Center in Los Angeles; as per usual and Steve says the Washington Huskies & California Golden Bears have the best shot at it. Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten should lead the way. His darkhorse? Well you’ll have to read on to find out.
NWSB insider Clinton Bell brings us his top 5 things the Huskies need to do to win the Pac-12 tournament this year. With the Huskies retaining the top spot in the conference going into their final 2 games, if they hold on, they will find themselves in a favorable matchup after a first round tourney bye. C.J. Wilcox, Terrence Ross, Tony Wroten must come up big down the stretch to get UW into the Tournament.
Another North West Coach in the spotlight today. Past University of Washington State Cougars head basketball coach Dick Bennett. Insider Steve one of our Washington St. Cougars bloggers points out his Cougs career started in 2003, and he was there until 2006. The first order of business for Bennett and his WSU coaching staff was changing the culture and identity of Cougars basketball.
