Two WAC items

You have to love the opening of Daniel Lyght's game report in today's Fresno Bee. Well, maybe not if you're associated with Fresno State basketball:

Nonconference game allows Fresno State freshmen their chance.
Daniel Lyght
The Fresno Bee
January 29, 2009

The kiss cam told it all Wednesday night. With 8 minutes left to play, the cameras scanned the crowd looking for smooching couples. They found an older pair.

The female was reading a book.

Fresno State (9-12) waltzed to an easy, unentertaining 81-63 win against Houston Baptist on Wednesday at Save Mart Center as several Bulldogs freshmen registered career numbers. The Bulldogs were led by freshman Mychal Ladd, who tallied three career-highs: 22 points, three steals, and 10 rebounds...

Now, was this couple smooching while the lady also was reading a book? We're confused but, admittedly, it wouldn't be the first time in matters amore.

plus

Boy, what's gotten into the WAC team beat reporters? Nick Jezierny spells it out in his Boise State - Idaho game preview with a classic final line:

Daily Debate: Broncos-Vandals rivalry matters again
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
1/29/09

...Excitement around both of these teams has been lacking. For Idaho, it's understandable as the program hasn't had a winning season since 1998-99 and has struggled with single-digit win totals six times since.

The lack of a buzz over the Broncos makes less sense. They won the WAC Tournament last season and are again competing for a title and a postseason berth. They have won 39 of their past 53 games and are on their way to a third consecutive winning season.

Somehow, that hasn't been good enough to attract fans and interest to Taco Bell Arena, where the average crowd turnout is only 3,032 this season. Bronco Nation gets more excited about a soft verbal commitment in football than a swished 3-pointer in basketball...

We'll venture a semi-educated guess: other than with Utah State, football is more popular than roundball in the cities and surroundings of the WAC teams. But admittedly, we're not sure what we are measuring as it encompasses more than just attendance.