Around The Northwest – Sports Updates And Happenings

Portland Trail Blazers –

The Blazers have avoided a second half struggle thus far and are currently holding steady in the third seed in the Western Conference. With a six game lead over Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division, it would take a lot to keep Portland from winning the division let alone out of the playoffs, but anything can happen in a stacked west in the final quarter of the season. Portland travels to Minnesota tomorrow night before a three day break until they host Houston on the 11^th. They will have to survive the rest of the season without Wesley Matthews, who is reported to have tore his Achilles tendon during Thursday’s game against Dallas. The devastating injury will add weight to the trade for Arron Afflalo, who is expected to instantly take over the starting shooting guard slot.

Portland Timbers –

Portland kicks off their 2015 regular season schedule tomorrow against visiting Real Salt Lake at 7:30pm. Portland is coming off a disappointing 2014 season that saw them miss the playoffs after getting all the way to the conference final in 2013. After a shakeup on defense that included popular goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts being drafted by Orlando in the expansion draft, Adam Larsen Kwarasey will take his place in the net, and preseason returns have been good so far as Kwarasey and defenders Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers have formed a quality backline, aided by the consistently solid play of club captain M/D Jack Jewsbury. An effective and experienced defense will ideally help Portland improve on their 1-1-1 series against RSL a year ago.

UO & OSU Basketball –

The Ducks and Beavers Men’s squads finished their regular seasons on Wednesday as Oregon won a 65-62 squeaker over hosting Oregon State. Oregon finished 3^rd in the Pac-12 and the Beavers finished 6^th. The Pac-12 tournament does not start until March 11^th, but as the standings currently hold, Oregon would get a pass to the quarterfinal and the Beavers would face Washington in the opening round. With the last 4 conference games taking place tomorrow, there’s potential for a shakeup, so stay tuned.

Oregon State women’s team finished first in the Pac-12, Oregon finished 10^th. OSU had a bye in the first round of the Pac12 tournament and faces Colorado in the quarterfinal today at 6pm. Oregon played their opening round game against Washington State, losing 66-64.

Seattle Mariners –

If you’re a baseball fan with an unquenchable thirst for games, this is your month. The Mariners kicked off their spring schedule with back to back wins over San Diego, and do not take a single day off until April 5^th. Regular season games don’t start until April 6^th, so you have 29 days of spring ball to enjoy at matinee prices before the season goes full tilt.

Portland Winterhawks –

Portland kicks off the final month of their regular season tonight against Seattle at the Moda Center at 7pm, and then hosts Tri-City tomorrow night at 7pm. Portland has clinched a playoff spot but is behind Everett for the US Division lead. With their winning percentages divided by a hair, the two teams could shake things up and exchange the division the lead when they play their 10^th and final regular season showdown on March 11^th in Everett, WA. Everett leads the 2014-15 series 5-4.

Seattle Seahawks –

As of tonight at midnight, teams can contact and enter into negotiations with any free agent players. No contracts can be officially signed until Tuesday at 4pm Eastern Time, but contacting and visiting players will be legal and all of the terms can be worked out without a signature. Seattle is expected to pursue a cornerback to replace Byron Maxwell, who is expected to play the market and get a higher paying deal elsewhere. Jeremy Lane or Tharold Simon could make a case to take over the spot vacated by Maxwell, but the veteran candidates rumored to be interested in the spot opposite Richard Sherman are Eagles corner Cary Williams and Packers corner Tramon Williams. Regardless of how they handle their cornerback situation, the team still needs to extend Marshawn Lynch and should get Russell Wilson re-signed sooner rather than later. Another position needing attention is receiver, with Jermaine Kearse and Ricardo Lockette expected to play the market. There is a bevy of average to elite receivers on the market, and how much extra cap space they foresee having on hand after working out new deals for Lynch and Wilson will play a large part in who they pursue and how much they offer.