Idaho vs. WSU ... college basketball nobody cares about

WSU vs. Idaho. The Beer Pong between these two schools must be epic. I hear that when these two play basketball is pretty good. I'd rather play beer pong though. 

PULLMAN – There aren’t many schools that have met more often in basketball than Washington State University and the University of Idaho.

When the two get together tonight in WSU’s Beasley Coliseum, it will mark the 105th consecutive year the two schools, separated by about 8 miles and an invisible state line, have met.

But despite having played 264 (or 263, if you go by Idaho’s records) times, these aren’t desperate rivals. More like two brothers playing in the backyard.

“We played against them this summer, so we know them all pretty well,” said WSU sophomore Abe Lodwick, who did not play in last year’s 55-41 WSU win in Moscow, the Cougars’ sixth consecutive win in the series.

Now you might be wondering who I'm going to root for, and to that I say... GO VANDALS!

Local football blowouts

Other than EWU's victory over Southern Utah, it was a terrible day for local college football. Look at this lineup of blowouts...

Idaho 25, #6 Boise St. 63 - The Vandals didn't have a shot in this one, and the Broncos continue to roll towards a BCS Bowl.

UCLA 43, Washington St. 7 - Looks like the Cougars are up to their old tricks, absolutely stinking at football. Seriously, why even show up to the games anymore when all you're going to do is get blown out by 30 every single game?

Washington 21, #23 Oregon St. 48 - Again, the Huskies show that this was not the year of the Dawg, but rather a dog year for UW.

Why should we even wake up on Saturdays? This is ridiculous and pathetic.

QB Controversy brewing in Idaho

Or is it? After throwing three interceptions and being benched by Idaho head coach Rob Akey last Saturday, junior QB Nathan Enderle was named the starting quarterback for next weekend's game against Hawaii.

Enderle was pulled late in the fourth quarter in last week’s win at San Jose State for backup Brian Reader, who directed the Vandals to the game-clinching drive. But Enderle beat out Reader before the season and had played well before his three-interception performance. Said Akey, “Nate is our starter. Absolutely. He is our starter and we’ve got a very talented backup.”

As long as the Vandals don't have this Derrick Anderson-Brady Quinn hate-fest, I'm fine with a little competition although Enderle is statistically one of the best QBs in the country.

UW vs Idaho

Tomorrow the University of Washington will be looking for their first win in what seems like forever. They barely lost to a much better LSU team, and at 12:30 PM tomorrow, Idaho comes to town.

Brandon is an Idaho fan.

I am not.

Brandon will be wearing an Idaho jersey and hat tomorrow around Spokane.

I will not.

I will be wearing a UW jersey and UW hat and paint myself purple.

Brandon will not.

UW will win and I will cheer.

Idaho will lose and Brandon will cry.

Ladies and gentlemen, how JustSON will spend Saturday! PS, that's a cool potato.

Top Party Colleges

Well well well. The Top Party School was released yesterday from the Princeton Review's 2009 survey of 122,000 students.

Can you see where the student's were located that they asked?

Pretty much all east coast. Here's the list thanks to Google.

1. Penn State University, State College, Pa.

2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.

4. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

5. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.VA.

7. University of Texas, Austin, Texas

8. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

9. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.

10. University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.

11. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.

12. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

13. Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.

14. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.

16. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

17. Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.

18. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

19. Tulane University, New Orleans, La.

20. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.

They obviously had to drop Eastern Washington University from the list since Brandon is no longer a student there.

And seriously, the University of North Dakota got on the list? How many students go there? About 95.

Man Card Rules: Don't whistle at a woman

Saw this on Huckleberries Online

Whether you’re out for a run or out doing errands, at this time of year clothing tends to be more skin-revealing. You don’t think much of it and then suddenly you’re met with catcalls, whistling, kissing sounds, et cetera when you pass a group of men. When the layers come off, the catcalling increases. What you find is that your summer clothing has become an invitation for men to gawk at you and harass you with inappropriate comments.

While some women might find these “compliments” flattering, most women find them offensive and disrespectful. It makes women feel uncomfortable and sometimes even threatened/Anne-Marije Rook, UI Argonaut.

I commented on the post, saying it was stupid to assume that college guys spend their time whistling at women on campus. Not only is it stupid, but also a practice of stereotyping and basically a practice that isn't very quantifiable nor is it worth being printed. Looks like they needed to fill space in the Argonaut.

Needless to say, I didn't make very many feminist friends with my post.

So I'll try and redeem myself and make this simple statement: Guys, you're an idiot if you whistle at a women. Not only do you look like a complete jackass, but chances are your efforts wont be met with any sort of positive reaction. So do yourself a favor and just go home to your single apartment and enjoy a thrilling episode of "Baywatch."

(However, does anyone find her argument complete illogical "I like to wear skimpier clothing and now every man whistles at me (which is probably pulled from a singular event, but we as the reader cannot judge the frequency of the said whistling), I don't like the attention, it's demeaning and every guy should stop doing it." ... well every guy doesn't whistle, so please don't do the college sin of stereotyping us all)

Our Neighbors Weekly Update: JustSoN coverage across the Pacific Northwest

-University of Montana-

The Griz will keep their head football coach for at least another season. Bobby Hauck has agreed to a new one-year contract to coach the UM football team.

It's pretty amazing how his contract is broken down:
Hauck's new contract calls for a base salary of $144,500. In addition, it increases the pool for assistant coaches by $16,500. Also, the pact calls for an additional $40,000 for television and radio coach's show appearances; a country club membership; and $500 per month for a car stipend. Additional income comes in the form of camps and/or clinics, as well as annual performance incentives.

The best part are all the incentives. Look at how random some of the bonuses are:

- $5,000 for achieving a team GPA for the previous three academic years of 2.85 or higher; - $5,000 for maintaining a four-year average academic progress rate score of at least 950; - $5,000 for maintaining season attendance; - $5,000 for attending requested UM Athletics and Grizzly Scholarship Association functions; - $7,500 for being named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year; - $5,000 for defeating a FCS team during non-conference season that has been a qualifier in the FCS playoffs within the past two years; - $5,000 for finishing the season as Big Sky champs or co-champs, or qualifying for the NCAA football playoffs; - $2,500 for each victory in the FCS playoffs; - $30,000 for winning the FCS championship.

Now if those are incentives to win games, I don't know what is.

-Montana State University-

The MSU ski team will complete in the 2009 NCAA Western Regional this coming weekend. The competition is at the Lake Tahoe region.

The competition is also the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association championship.

-Idaho State University-

The Bengals softball team beat the defending MAC Champions Kent State, 6-4 on the 14th. ISU scored 6 runs in the first two innings and never looked back. The win was their second of the season.

Yet one day later the Bengals fell 10-1 at Arizona State. ASU is the defending National Champions, and they played like it. This season ASU is ranked #3.

-University of Idaho-

The women's basketball team take on Nevada tonight down in Reno. If they win that game, they should be in first place in their league.

Indoor track and field will be hosting the Vandal Classic this weekend.

-University of Alaska Anchorage-

Tomorrow and Saturday, the women's gymnastics team will host Temple for a pair of matches. The Seawolves are still looking for their first win of the season.

On the ice, four members of the hockey team earned the 2008-2009 WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award.
To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have completed at least one year of residency at his or her present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters, or may qualify if their overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at their present institution.

Our Neighbors Weekly Update: JustSoN coverage across the Pacific Northwest

-University of Montana-

Montana’s Anthony Johnson has been selected as the co-Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Player of the Week. He led the Griz to victories over Eastern Washington and Portland State.

Johnson, a 6-2 junior guard from Tacoma, Wash., averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as Montana moved to 7-3 in conference play and extended its home winning streak to nine games. Johnson scored 15 points with three assists in a 72-65 upset of Portland State on Thursday. Johnson made 4-of-6 shots from the floor, and went 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Johnson netted a team-high 20 points with a career-high six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 60-52 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Johnson was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, and 6-of-12 from the field.

-Montana State University-

Montana State’s Divaldo Mbunga was the other co-Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Player of the Week.

He also led his team to wins over Eastern Washington and Portland State.

Mbunga recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 69-65 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday. He made 7-of-10 from the field, and also registered three blocks and an assist. Mbunga tallied 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and pulled down eight rebounds with three assists and two blocks of an 85-82 upset of Portland State on Sunday.

-Idaho State University-

In women's tennis the team lost it's first road match of the season 0-7 to Weber State. The loss dropped the Bengals to 0-2 on the season.

On the indoor track both the men's and women's did good against the Montana's at the Montana State Duals on Jan. 30 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Montana.

On the men's side, Sam Pierson, who went to the NCAA National Outdoor Championships in 2008, finished second in the pole vault. Despite this he still holds the conference's top mark in that event this season at 16-6.5 feet.

-University of Idaho-

Signing day wasn't just big for football, but the Vandals soccer team signed 11 new athletes with nine letters-of-intent and two invited walk ons.

Idaho’s 2009 recruiting class features four athletes from the state of California, four from Washington and three from Canada. The class features six midfielders, two defenders, two forwards and one goalkeeper. With 11 newcomers, it is also the largest group the fifth-year coach has brought in to Moscow.

The Vandals track team also added a star sprinter from Washington this week.

Sprinter Kelly Jacka has signed a letter of intent to run for the University of Idaho women’s track and field team, co-head coach Yogi Teevens announced on Wednesday.

Jacka, a star athlete at Bellermine Prep in Federal Way, Washington comes to Moscow with some records to be proud of.

Jacka holds individual school records in the 100m, 200m and 400m at Bellarmine Prep, and also ran on the school-record 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays. She holds personal bests of 11.91 in the 100m, 24.36 in the 200m and 56.58 in the 400m, as well as indoor personal bests of 7.81 in the 60m and 24.95 in the 200m.

-University of Alaska Anchorage-

The women's basketball team is making a name for themselves this year.

The nationally top-ranked Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball team retained its No. 1 West Region ranking in the latest NCAA Div. II regional polls, released Wednesday.

The Seawolves (20-1, 7-0 GNAC) aren't the only Washington team in the top ranking though. They are joined by Seattle Pacific at Number 3, Western Washington at Number 4, and Northwest Nazarene is Number 8.

On the ice freshman Curits Leinweber was selected as the WCHA Rookie of the Week for February 3-9. Leinweber scored the game-winning goal in overtime to upset the then number 7 Denver team.

Our Neighbors Weekly Update: JustSoN coverage across the Pacific Northwest

-University of Montana-

Tonight the Lady Griz take on Portland State, at PSU, for claim of the top of the Big Sky. Both teams are 6-0 in conference games. With Montana being 17-3 overall, and Portland State is 13-6. It's a winner take all game at a big time in the season. The game starts 7 p.m. Pacific and can be watched online at www.bigskytv.org.

On the men's side PSU is visiting Montana tonight. The Griz currently sit in 3rd in the Big Sky, having beat Northern Colorado 68-59 on 1/25. The men Vikings also are in 1st place, and the Griz could really use a home win.

Indoor track will be in Bozeman on Friday for the Montana State Dual Invitational. Montana will be going against MSU and Idaho State.

-Montana State University-

The men's team has slid to 6th in the Big Sky after back-to-back losses. At the hands of Northern Colorado the Bears had their way with the Bobcats, 55-65. After that, MSU traveled down to Southern Mississippi, only to loose 60-68. Tonight they host Eastern Washington. The Eagles currently sit in 7th in the Conference and are looking to get their season back on track. A win tonight for the Bobcats would be huge.

-Idaho State University-

Tonight ISU will be trying to "white out" their arena as the Weber Wildcats come into town. The Bengals have a slight hold on the 4 spot in the Conference, but Northern Colorado is nipping at their heels. But Weber State won't be overlooked. The Wildcats are currently tied with PSU for first in the Big Sky. ISU needs a win tonight at home to keep pace with the Bears.

-University of Idaho-

While ISU is trying to white out their gym, U of I is trying to "black out" theirs. Tonight the Vandals take on Boise State. The Vandals are flying high after winning the rematch with New Mexico State 67-57. UI currently sit in 4th in the WAC, one spot behind the visiting Boise State. A win tonight would help close the gap between the two. Idaho is 3-3 in conference, while Boise State is 5-2.

The indoor track teams will be heading to Pullman on Friday and Saturday for the Washington State Cougar Invitational.

-University of Alaska Anchorage-

The gymnasitics team heads to Colorado this week. The 0-4 squad is searching for their first win of the season. 1/31 will see them in Denver, 2/1 the squad goes Colorado Springs to take on Air Force.

In men's basketball, the Seawolves lost at Billings, MT to Montana State - Billings 60-69. Seniors Jeremiah Trueman and Kenny Barker combined for 37 points. But a late 2nd half push by the Yellowjackets proved to much for UAA.

UW has new D

So do we call them the University of Washington Trojans?

HOLT TAKES OVER WASHINGTON'S DEFENSE

Associated Press

SEATTLE -- The University of Washington announced Monday that Nick Holt is leaving USC to become the new defensive coordinator at Washington, plucked away by new Huskies head coach Steve Sarkisian, another former Trojans' assistant.

Holt replaces Ed Donatell, who was not retained after Sarkisian was hired in early December.

Holt previously was a defensive coordinator and head coach at Idaho. Aside from a 5-18 stint as head coach at Idaho in 2004-05, Holt has been on the staff at USC since 2001.

Part of the reason Holt is believed to be leaving the Trojans is a chance to run the defense himself. Despite being the defensive coordinator at USC, Holt often shared those duties with head coach Pete Carroll.

If these guys turn the Huskies into winners, I'll call them whatever they want to be called!

GO VANDALS!

Since my alma mater, Eastern Washington University, plays in the highest level of collegiate football with a playoff system, the Football Championship Subdivision, I have found myself with an open slot for a Football Bowl Subdivision team to root for.

I figured I would also enjoy rooting for a big program to win six games and make it to the Chicken of the Sea Bowl, or perhaps win 10 games and get shut out of the national championship game in order to make room for Ohio State to choke again.

However, I can’t run my allegiance with Washington State since everyone is a Cougar fan around these parts. Rooting for the Washington Huskies is a fate worse than death. Oregon State has sports bra uniforms and are therefore automatically taken off the list, and I can’t root for the Oregon Ducks because their uniforms remind me of the movie Tron.

Which leaves Idaho.

It makes perfect sense for me to root for the Vandals since (a) the first college football game I ever watched was at the Kibbie Dome, a barn-burner against EWU (The Eagles won 8-5), and (b) Idaho fans could probably use a few more bodies to bolster their ranks at this juncture in time.

So I’ll be loading up Idaho as my favorite team on NCAA Football ‘09, writing long forum posts about how much Boise State is the spawn of Satan and probably invest in a couple Vandals polos and twill baseball caps.

And I’ll also be writing about my experiences as a new Vandal fan, so stay tuned as Idaho runs through their 2008 football schedule.

Other people that should have quit when they were ahead...

In honor of Brett Favre un-retiring, and jerking his team around like a self-esteem shattered girlfriend, I've decided to come up with a list of people that should have quit when they were ahead...

1. Napoleon
You had almost all of Europe under control and then you decided to invade Russia. Had you ever looked at a map before invading Russia? That place isn't your normal Austria or Hungry establishment, it's freakin' gigantic and it stretches over Asia. Good call on that one.

2. Ralph Nader
No, you don't get to turn the 1.5 percent of the vote into Chucky Cheese's for prizes. Sorry.

3. Cuba Gooding Jr.
Hanes commercials playing second fiddle to Michael Jordan. Remember when you were Radio?

4. The University of Idaho Football Program
Just give it up already and switch the WCC conference.

5. Adam Morrison's Moustache
Really should have quit that a long time ago, like when it reached it's peak furry-ness at about age 11.

6. The Chicago Cubs
And we all thought Boston Red Sox fans had it bad. If you want to go back to good times at Wrigley, be prepared to start saying things like "I Like Ike" and "You're a square bear."

7. Will Ferrel
Could have done with Anchorman 3, Will, you're not fooling us by changing the theme and putting a different title on it.

8. Jose Conseco
But instead you went ahead and got the crap punched out of you in a celebrity boxing match. Wow, the twilight of your career has really taken on the same arc as ambassadors of the game such as Mark McGuire, Pete Rose and Bill Buckner.

9. Michael Jordan
Washington Wizards... nuff said.

10. Michael Jordan
Exec of the Charlotte Bobcats, with worse talent-seeking skills than Isiah Thomas. Nuff Said.