Couch potato

Ben Howland was happy to learn after his game that the Big West Conference tournament championship between UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton was tipping off at about 8 p.m.
``Good, I'll have my toes up,'' Howland said.
Howland seemed torn between rooting for UC Irvine because Ross Land, a former player from their days at Northern Arizona, is an assistant coach there. However, Fullerton coach Bob Burton is a good friend of Howland's. Perhaps swaying his decision, Howland interviewed for the Irvine job and didn't get it when Dan Guerrero was athletic director.