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January 19, 2011

Michael Preston
WazzuWatch.com

It was my impression that we were all done with Reggie Moore being cited for possessing marijuana. I'd thought we'd find out more in early February when Moore had his day in court and would likely either be sentenced to a couple days up the river or a lot of community service.

To be honest, on the surprise meter, this registered pretty low. First of all, at the basest level, a kid in Pullman got caught with pot. I'd be more surprised if Charlie Sheen told me he was clean. Second of all, an athlete who may or may not (since I don't know him personally) use the drug to himself relax.



Personally, I don't think marijuana is that big of a deal. In fact, on an even more personal note, I don't believe the drug should be illegal. However, I know the drug is still illegal and despite my misgivings about the fact that it is against the law to possess, it still violates the law. Moore got caught with it and thusly, he must be punished. Frankly, of the penalties I outlined earlier, Moore will likely face no jail time because this is his first offense.

What I absolutely do not understand is how Moore is being punished. Perhaps more problematic is that we don't know all the details so we can only infer some things. Moore's marijuana was found in his dorm room in early December. When the Santa Clara game rolled around and he didn't start, we all wondered why but didn't get an official explanation. When Moore received his official citation in the mail, the Pullman Police Department finally put it up on their log in early January when he finally got his papers. At that point, we all figure the non-start down in Santa Clara was Moore's punishment and, by proxy, that he had been completely honest and open with the coaching staff.

Now though, Moore has been suspended indefinitely and not just from games but from all team activities. He's not even practicing - though head coach Ken Bone has said he may play this week, we will know more by the end of today. He was suspended right before the Stanford game, a match his team won without him, proving they can do it (at least once anyhow). But his suspension well over a week after he received the papers confuses me an awful lot for many reasons.

It means we don't know if Moore sitting to start the Santa Clara game was really his punishment. Worse yet, if it was his punishment and now he's being suspended, does it mean Moore told the coaching staff but didn't tell them the truth about what happened or the whole truth?

But perhaps Moore possibly being a liar is better than the other possibility: something else has happened and we just don't know about it yet. I don't want to think about it but it's a possibility that Moore perhaps was caught again with marijuana and Bone is suspending him now before the Whitman County Prosecutor's office even files the paper work. I don't think it'd be anything else because we would've found out right away because if he was arrested it has to appear in the police log.

Now, Moore may not have done anything. Bone may have just waited until all the facts came out from the prosecutor's office and then taken a little too long to make his decision on what he viewed to be an appropriate punishment. I don't think any donor or senior member of the athletic department put pressure on Bone; it just doesn't make any sense.

The timing of Bone handing down the punishment is befuddling to say the least. Worse yet, we don't have an answer and when asked if anything has changed since Moore received his citation, Bone has said it has remained unchanged. The speculation as to what is happening is only getting worse because no one is saying a peep. That's not to say Bone has to disclose a reason for everything he does. He might be completely candid and honest when he says the suspension is only for the possession charge and nothing else.


But let's go back to one of my original theories, that Moore either lied or didn't tell the whole truth. Bone isn't going to just come out and say Moore lied to my staff or me. Moore is already in enough trouble; you don't want to pile on him publicly. Now to the other theory that Moore has made another slip up, Bone isn't going to say Moore screwed up again until he's formally charged with something, especially since no formal charges have been filed.

I want to emphasize that what I was talking about earlier are theories as to why Moore is being suspended now and suspended so severely. I don't know any of these things for sure and I don't want to sound like I'm already trying to crucify Moore for something I'm not even sure he did. But I tried to provide what I think are reasonable explanations. I will leave you with this though: this situation may not be ideal for Cougar basketball or WSU faithful.

But at least we don't have to deal with the firestorm that surely awaits Washington.


PICKS:

Last Week: 6-3
Overall: 18-11


Stanford looks a lot better than I thought. I have no idea what to think of USC.

Stanford 67, USC 60


I know California isn't as good as they played WSU. UCLA, however, is good.

UCLA 81, California 68


Marquee match up in the conference this year. But I think Williams has trouble handling the Hec Ed crowd.

Washington 87, Arizona 77


Herb Sendek's team always seems to play close with WSU. But this year they stink. So, there's that.


Washington State 81, Arizona State 65


I don't understand why Oregon fans are complaining about the glare off the new Matthew Knight Arena floor. We've all been blinded by your jerseys for years. BUH-ZING!

Oregon State 65, Oregon 62


This one is more interesting that UCLA's last game but should produce the same result.

UCLA 81, Stanford 72


Now THIS is a terrible game to watch.

USC 72, California 62


And in this week's edition of "Holy crap this is going to get ugly and ugly fast. I mean like Rosie O'Donnell ugly."

Washington 95, Arizona State 70


This will be a test of tests for WSU, especially if Reggie Moore isn't back yet. They pass. But barely.

Washington State 78, Arizona 75


Obscure Pick of the Week: Does Orem, Utah even realize this college exists?

Utah Valley 64, North Dakota 59


Dunderhead of the Week: The homeless guy I saw on my way to work talking on his phone. Not weird enough? It was an iPhone. I'm assuming this thing was stolen but if it's not, then, wow. Just wow.

And, of course, John Buccigross.





+++++++sponsored by Greg Davis Sports Photography+++++++++

The 2010-11 athletic season is here…and you know what that means…It's time for a whole new season of Cougar Athletics! Men's hoop, women's hoop and baseball, just to name a few, are preparing for their 2010 seasons. If you need "game action" photographs for your newspaper, magazine, web site, blog, etc., then Greg Davis Sports Photography should be your choice for all things "Cougar" and "Pac-10 Conference"! Coverage for specific athletes or upcoming events is also available. Check out the images from games, practices and events from last season, and be sure to come back often for uploads from all of this season's action.

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