Washington State leads the nation in points allowed per game (48.7), and they held Washington to just 20 in the first half.
But WSU managed just 17 against the Huskies, who were doing as good a job on the defensive end as any Romar-coached team has. WSU, which ranked eighth in the nation in field goal percentage (.506), shot just .261 (6-23) in the first half.
I hope the players were wearing deodorant because there was a lot of body-to-body stuff going on.

The Marv Harshman Court.
That’s the new name of the hardwood floor at Bank of America Arena.
The former Husky coach was honored at halftime last night. He was surrunded by about 40 of his former players and presented with a $500,000 check by Steve Hawes. The money goes toward the Marv Harshamn Scholarship endowment for men’s basketball. A scholarship will be awarded annually to a deservng member of the Husky basketball team.

What’s the word in Australian for strong dude?
I don’t know either, but WSU’s 6-foot-10, 270-pound Aron Baynes is one strong dude. Like Howie Stalwick, our Washington State/Eastern Washington/Gonzaga/Spokane/Idaho freelance-based reporter says, “He might not be tall enough to play in the NBA, but he’ll sure make a lot of moneyh in Australia.”
Mr. Baynes just picked up his send personal foul, hammering Brockman with 34.8 seconds left. Baynes went to the bench with 11 points.

I mentioned that Justin Dentmon might be the wild card in this one, but maybe it’s Tim Morris, the guard who transferred to the UW from Stanford.
Morris is Romar’s second cousin, and a two-time State A player of the year from Georgia. The 6-foot-4 senior has scored in double figures in six straight games. His production has coincided with Washington’s improved play. They’ve won five straight coming into tonight’s game.
Morris, in the starting lineup, has scored seven points to date. He hit back-to-back jumpers to push Washington ahead 17-10 at one point. It’s 17-14 now with 2:38 left i the first half.

Jon Brockman just blew by Aron Baynes and finished a sweet reverse layup to put the Huskies up 10-8.
On WSU’s next possession, Baynes backed Brockman, rose and dunked in his face.
Timeout 7:04: tied 10-10.
This is good stuff. The Huskies are really getting after it, trying to rattle a team that’s not supposed to rattle.
If Qwest Field is the loudest place in the NFL, then this might be the loudest place in the Pac-10. Led by the student section — the Dawg Pound — the noise is not-stop. “Woof!” That’s the cry after Huskies make a free throw.

There were a couple hundred people milling outside Hec Ed, looking for tickets to tonight’s Pac-10 opener between the Huskies and Cougars.
Lorenzo Romar’s decked out in a purple blazer, but his face is turning a shade of purple, too, after three straight turnovers by his Huskies. Make that four straight.
Washington State’s up 4-2 in what promises to be a very physical, entertaining, loud Pac-10 basketball game.
It’s still 4-2 after the first timeout at the 15:03 mark.
Artem Wallace took a charge on the first possession as WSU fought to get off a shot before the 35-second clock expired.
Washington State’s experience, I think will be the difference in this one. The Cougs should find a way to improve to 13-0. They’re just a smart, battle-tested team that nobody likes to play.
Robbie Cowgill and Aaron Baynes are going to make the UW’s Jon Brockman work even harder than he usually does.
Who’s the wild card in this one?
I think it’s Justin Dentmon, the Husky guard. He needs to stay under control and make some easy buckets.

Well, my final prediction wasn’t so far off, eh?
I said Seahawks 31-13.
I never envisioned such a wild fourth quarter, but the Hawks’ defense remained strong throughout. And Hasselbeck kept his cool and got the passing game going.
Next week: The Packers.
Prediction? It’s too early to say, but if the Seahawks win the coin toss, I predict that Hasselbeck won’t predict that Seattle’s going to score.

I’m going to take a little halftime break, and head over to Montlake for tonight’s Pac-10 basketball game between the Huskies and No. 4-ranked Washington State Cougars.
Look for some more blogs from me later on and check out our sports section tomorrow. Staff writer Nathan Joyce will be columnizing on Matt Hasselbeck and you’ll find the game story and reports on Marcus Trufant, D.J. Hackett, a look ahead at next week’s opponent — the Green Bay Packers — and more.

Just back from the field. Broadcaster Chris Collingsworth is holding onto a rail to a stairway in the press box, stretching after a tough day in the booth.
The scene on the field after the game was CA-razy.
There were lots of smile, hugs and happy faces coming off the field.
Former Hawks’ QB Dave Krieg mugged for a photo with his wife, daughter and Bobby Engram.
Redskins lineman Pete Kendall ran after Walter Jones, horse-collaring him before sharing a few words.
T.J. Houshmandzadah, the Bengals’ receiver, was interviewing players on the field. He’s working in the postseason for The NFL Network.

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I’m going to head to the field for the final minutes. I wish I had some ear plugs.
I’ll check in after the post-game interviews.