Our Neighbors Weekly Update: JustSoN coverage across the Pacific Northwest

Welcome to Our Neighbor Thursdays. Just South of North has started providing our readers with weekly updates of the local sports scene. Thursdays are dedicated to schools outside of the great state of Washington.

So, as Mr. Rogers would say, "won't you be my neighbor?"

-University of Montana-

The men's basketball team came into Cheney and laid the smack down on the Eagles. Stomping them in Reese Court 63-50. The Griz currently have a lock on the number 4 spot in the Big Sky, with a 4-3 conference record and 10-9 overall. Next up: 1/25 vs Northern Colorado. 1/29 vs Portland State.

-Montana State University-

The men's basketball team is licking their wounds after suffering a 43-64 pounding at the hands of Idaho State. They sit in 5th place in the Big Sky with a 3-3 conference, 9-7 overall record. Next up: 1/22, vs Northern Colorado. 1/24 at Southern Mississippi.1/29 vs Eastern Washington.

-Idaho State University-

While most of the nation is talking about Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger the town of Pocatello, Idaho is talking about Pago Togafau. Togafau is in his second season in the National Football League, and on February 1st, his Arizona Cardinals will be playing in the Super Bowl.

Now Togafau may not be the superstar, or even the starter. But you can bet your pants that Idaho State University and the town of Pocatello are proud of their graduate.

-University of Idaho-

The men's basketball team is coming off a rough week, with back to back looses. The first lose was a heart breaker at New Mexico State 71-74. On Saturday, January 17, the Vandals fell 63-74 at Louisiana Tech. They have a week off and hope to rebound for the second half of the season. Next up: 1/24 at New Mexico State. 1/29 at Boise State.

-University of Alaska Anchorage-

The Seawolves athletics are bragging this week about what they accomplished in the classroom during 2008. Over the 2008 school year, University of Alaska Anchorage student athletes had a combined 3.13 GPA. This was a record for the school. Congrats from JustSoN to the scholar athletes of our neighbor up north.

On the ice the Seawolves hockey team split a pair of games in Mankato, Minnesota against Minnesota State. The Seawolves took the first game 4-2, but lost the second 1-7. The team currently sits in the number 9 spot of the 10 team Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a 5-9-2 WCHA record and are 8-10-2 overall. Next up: 1/23 vs Michigan Tech. 1/24 vs Michigan Tech.