Washington State Men's Basketball Wins Saturday

The Washington State Cougars beat New Mexico State at home Saturday afternoon 63-54. The difference in the game was the first half where the Cougars were leading 30-21. The second half both teams score 33 points.

The Cougars this year are looking at the defense as the difference. They want to build a program where they can match up with Gonzaga and Washington making it the mighty three in Washington. We hope the best for them so it can become a reality.

WSU has a 5-4 record with four games remaining in their non-league schedule. Their next game will be next Sunday against UC Riverside at home in the afternoon. Those who are in the area should look to get in to seem them live. All four games are at home. The Pac-12 schedule begins on January 2 when the Cougars take on USC Trojans at home than face UCLA on January 4. 

WSU women's team is 5-3 so far in non-league action. They take on Gonzaga Sunday afternoon in Pullman. They have three more non-league games before starting their Pac-12 schedule beginning with the Washington Huskies on December 29 in Pullman.

WSU football coach Mike Leach signed this week an extension so he will be around for a bit longer.

The big men's game today locally is between Gonzaga and Washington in Seattle this afternoon. This will be just over an hour before the Seattle Seahawks are on Sunday night football against the Los Angeles Rams.  

In major league baseball, the Winter Meetings begin today going through Thursday in San Diego. We will have to see whether Mariners will add any more players to the roster. If they do it will likely be more pitching. They add or remove a position player as well but most likely not unless they trade Dee Gordon or Mitch Haniger. State tuned right here.

Mariners Trade Narvaez To Brewers

Thursday the Seattle Mariners traded starting catcher Omar Narvaez to the Milwaukee Brewers for a #24 prospect who is a starting pitcher in Single-A right now and an additional pick in next year's draft.

We had heard rumors of Narvaez being traded; however, I was disappointed in the trade. I thought the Mariners could have gotten a lot more for Narvaez. He was the best hitter on last year's team and had a career-high in home runs with 22. His defense was the biggest concern. I am sure the Mariners felt his defense wouldn't get better but he is only 27 years old so his best years may be ahead of him. Not sure because Kyle Seager hasn't done as well in the years that are considered his prime.

We can't cry over spilled milk so we have to see whatever else may come way for the Mariners during this off-season. This could be the beginning of several other trades where this one might make more sense. I least I hope so anyway. Dipoto doesn't expect a lot of trades this off-season like in the past but I am hoping for a few more anyway. This doesn't make so much sense if it stands on its own. We will really not know for a few years whether the trade is a success or not. The importance is the Mariners make the playoffs on a regular basis and find themselves in the World Series in the next few years. Go M's. 

Washington and Gonzaga Both Win

Wednesday night the Washington Huskies and the Gonzaga Bulldog both won getting ready for there showdown at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle this coming Sunday.

The Huskies got off to a terrible start having to come back to beat Eastern Washington 90-80. EWU began opening with a 10-1 before the Huskies were able to get going. The game was tied at 33-33 with 4:50 mark when the Huskies went on a good 14-2 run. The Eagles were never able to get back into the game. 

Gonzaga Bulldogs ended up beating Texas Southern at home 101-62. The game was over at half-time with the Bulldogs leading 53-20. All seven of their players who play many minutes scored in double figures. They were led by Cory Kispert with 17 points.

The Huskies will have to get off to a better start on Sunday if they have any chance to beat Gonzaga. Both teams have only one loss so far on the season. This game will show good the Huskies will be going into Pac-12 play in January. 

Gonzaga again should make the NCAA tournament while the young Huskies are hoping to. 

Seahawks Win 10th Game

Monday night the Seattle Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings 37-30. This time the Seahawks had a large lead; however, they settled winning by a touchdown. It is getting quite familiar, to say the least.

The important thing is they are winning; by how much isn't so important. It was an odd game with turnovers in a weird fashion.  Like the ball, Russell Wilson tried to bat away instead turned into a touchdown. I am sure he wouldn't try that one again.

The Seahawks were down 17-10 at half-time; however, they scored 24 unanswered points before the Vikings came back to make it interesting. 

In the third quarter, running back Rashaad Penny scored a touchdown then with the extra point tied it at 17-17. Myers kicked a field goal,  a beautiful pass from Wilson to David Morse plus extra point made it 27-17. In the 4th quarter, Penny scored a second touchdown for 13 yards from Wilson. The Vikings weren't dead yet with QB Cousins throwing a 58-yard touchdown pass. Little more than five minutes later Cousins threw another touchdown pass for 3 yards. The Vikings missed the extra point making it 34-30. With 21 secs remaining in the game the Seahawks kicked a 36-yard field goal making it 37-30. The Viking fumbled the kick-off the Seahawks recovered ending the game. 

The Seahawks had a good day on the ground with Chris Carson running for 102 yards while Penny had 74. DK Metcalf led the Seahawks in catches and yards with six and 75 while David Moore had 2 for 65 yards including the touchdown. 

The Seahawks are tied for first place with the San Francisco 49ers each with a record of 10-2. If the Seahawks win all their remaining games they will win the division. This coming Sunday they take on the Los Angeles Rams in LA. Go Hawks!

Chris Petersen Resigns as Huskies Head Coach

It became a shock for everyone related to the Washington Huskies athletic department Chris Petersen stepped down as head coach on Monday. He isn't going anywhere right now. He will still work in the athletic department. 

So you may ask who is going to replace Petersen as head coach. The Huskies have already named his successor in defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake the next head coach. Petersen will coach the bowl game the Huskies will play in before turning the reigns over to Lake. 

Petersen gave no reason why he stepped down, however, will stay on in the Huskies athletic department. Lake says the head coach job at Washington is his dream job but was surprised he would become the head coach any time soon. Now a new era begins. Go Huskies!

There Is More For Seahawks On Monday Night

As the Seattle Seahawks were waiting on Sunday to play the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night the San Francisco 49ers lost in Baltimore to the Ravens 20-17 on a last-second field goal. 

It is only fair the Ravens beat the 49ers or the 49ers lost to the Ravens depending on how you look at it since one of the Seahawks' two losses was to the Ravens in Seattle. 

Seahawks fans already had something to root for already but this adds more fire to Monday night's game. The Seahawks win they are in first place in the NFC West. Now the Seahawks have to do is win the remaining four games and they have the NFC West title. The Seahawks have done better in the playoffs when winning the division. 

The Vikings are looking to win this game as well since they are a half-game behind the Green Bay Packers. They win the game they are even with the Packers while losing a game behind. Sort of the same scenario as the Seahawks. The Seahawks win they are tied with the 49ers except they beat them so have the upper hand. The Seahawks lose then they are a game behind.

The Seahawks are undefeated on the road while the two losses are both at home. We want that trend to end. It doesn't matter how they win; however, it would be nice if they win by at least ten points. So enjoy the game with the Seahawks winning in the end. Go Hawks!

Ducks Beat The Beavers

Since this blog is supposed to be about northwest sports I figure to mention the Oregon Ducks Saturday night beat the Oregon State Beavers for the final game of the regular season 24-10.

The Ducks scored ten points in the first quarter while the Beavers kicked a field goal for three. The Ducks scored a touchdown in the second quarter making it 17-3 at half time. Both teams were silent in the third quarter not scoring a point then both had touchdowns in the fourth.

Oregon ended the regular season at 10-2 while Oregon State at 5-7. The Ducks won the Pac-12 North Division so they will take on the South Division champions Utah this coming Friday for the Pac-12  Championship. The Beavers tied Washington and California for second place with 4-5 record in the division; however, they are not eligible to play in a bowl game without enough wins overall. Stanford in the cellar of the North Divison and are not eligible for a bowl game either. In the South Division UCLA, Colorado and Arizona are not eligible either. 

The winner between Oregon and Utah could go to the National Championship Series. Utah has an overall record of 11-1 so they would have a better chance over the 10-2 Ducks. We wish both teams the best in the championship game leading to the National Championship Series.

The Seattle Seahawks have Sunday off however they take on the Minnesota Vikings at home on Monday night. Jadeveon Clowney who missed the game against the Eagles is expected to play against the Vikings. Also, fellow defensive end Jarran Reed Reed had limited practice time this last week is expected to play as well. We are hoping for the Seahawks 10th win with four games remaining after this one. Go Hawks!