Hot Cougar Action: Looking ahead to UCLA

Remember two years ago when WSU hosted UCLA in the first week of March attempting to pad their resume for a potential NCAA Tournament bid? Well, tonight's game against UCLA is nothing like that, other than being played in Pullman during the first week of March.

The Cougars will instead open the final homestand of the season before finishing the year up at the Pac-12 Tournament. Pullman has been a home away from home over the years for UCLA as the Bruins are 44-11 in games played in Pullman. That record is likely going to improve to 45-11 despite the fact Ben Howland said he is "wary" of playing WSU. In related news, I was "wary" of eating a steak last night, but turns out it was delicious.

Men's basketball:

Tuesday with Ken Bone - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - March 5, 2013
FROM PULLMAN — Ken Bone held his weekly press conference today, and while there is little news, there is an update on Mike Ladd.

Cougar youngsters ready to take reins - Spokesman.com - March 6, 2013
PULLMAN – The players aren’t thinking about next season yet. Not with two more chances this week for Washington State to prove itself capable of ending this losing streak, and not with the hope-springs- eternal lens through which the Cougars view the Pac-12 tournament.

First look: UCLA at Washington State - Los Angeles Ucla Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
Scouting the Cougars: Washington State occupies the bottom spot in the Pac-12 standings thanks to a current nine-game losing streak. That’s not to say the Cougars are a pushover.

UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland: Wazzu not to be taken lightly - Whittier Daily News

Heading into the last week of the regular season, Ben Howland called himself out. "No other coach has ever lost to Washington State in Pauley except me," the UCLA coach said Monday. "I'm wary of this game."

Up next for UCLA: Wednesday at Washington State - latimes.com

The Bruins shot 62% in a 76-62 victory over the Cougars last month at Pauley Pavilion. Washington State has lost nine consecutive games.

UCLA Bruins vs. Washington State Cougars - Preview - March 06, 2013 - ESPN Los Angeles

While it's uncertain where Shabazz Muhammad or some others in UCLA's talented freshman class will play next season, their current focus is on helping the Bruins win their first conference title in five years.

Women's basketball:

A day after receiving some accolades from the media, Lia Galdeira was named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention on Tuesday. Tia Presley joined Galdeira as a honorable mention. Galdeira was also voted as a honorable mention to the All-Defensive team while making the All-Freshman team. The honor is nice for Galdeira, but almost feels like a snub as she could have easily made the All-Conference team.

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Presley, Galdeira Receive All-Pac-12 Honors - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Washington State sophomore guard Tia Presley and freshman guard Lia Galdeira each received All-Pac-12 honors, as voted on by the Pac-12 coaches, the conference office announced Tuesday.

Football:

Jon Wilner tracked down all of the coaching salaries in the Pac-12 and Mike Leach comes in as the fourth-highest paid coach in the conference. The more you know.

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Wilner: Where Cal coach Sonny Dykes' contract ranks in Pac-12 - San Jose Mercury News
Mike Leach: $2.25 million