THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: A big one in Tucson tonight for Cougs, Wildcats

Amazing what you find, traipsing through the world on little cat feet.

Maybe we’ve got a title for our “Notes and Quotes” column every week.

“Little Cat Feet.”

Ahhh.

Let’s go with it today, and give the future a bit of thought.

Fair enough?

Onward, then.

According to a survey conducted by CardRate.com, roughly 289,000 Idahoans are nearly at the “stress tipping point” caused by financial fears.

Nearly 25 percent of respondents in the state admitted that their hair was on fire.

No, sorry, I just made up that last part. But apparently a quarter of our population have hit “red alert” with their stress levels.

Fortunately, I’m not one of them.

It isn’t because I have the money to be financially secure.

I’ve just gotten old enough that I don’t worry about it.

Plus, I’ve still got the cash for a coffee mocha at Dutch Bros.

I think.

ITEM: Let’s see, do you remember back – oh, two weeks ago – when Mariners president Jerry Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander insisted that the roster looked good heading into spring training?

We just need to stay healthy, they said.

Guess what?

The boys have barely unpacked in Arizona and the doctors are already busy.

Gregory Santos, the flamethrowing reliever acquired from the White Sox, currently can’t break a pane of glass.

He’s got a lat strain, and Mariners boss Scott Servais says Santos will need to be eased up to full speed. 

Slowly.

Hope that means before the All-Star break.

Another newcomer, third base candidate Luis Urias, is also on the shelf.

Urias has a sore shoulder, and he’ll have to be on a soft-toss throwing program, as well.

No worries.

It’s still going to be a solid, contending team.

As long as everyone stays healthy.

ITEM: Coach Chip Kelly, who recently gave up the top job at UCLA to become an assistant to Ryan Day at Ohio State, has a theory about why West Coast schools haven’t been winning national championships.

Or even putting up a serious fight.

Kelly, who coached Oregon before moving to UCLA, says that there are plenty of “skill position” stars out in this part of the country, but we don’t have enough beef.

You need the massive linemen that Michigan used to rough up UW, Kelly said.

Those were the giants who chased Michael Penix Jr. nearly out of the stadium as the Wolverines bullied their way to a title.

Kelly’s summation on recruiting goals: “Big people beat up little people.”

Well, yeah.

ITEM: There’s a rumor in the Bay Area that Pete Carroll might be interested in the 49ers’ vacant defensive coordinator gig.

Seriously?

Pete, you wouldn’t?

Apparently, the theory around San Francisco is that 49ers are already using defensive schemes that Carroll introduced with the Seahawks, so it would be a natural transition.

Natural, unless you wonder if Pete wants to be an assistant coach at age 73.

Natural, if you think Pete misses coaching so much that he’d take a coordinator job in the Seahawks’ own NFC West.

That doesn’t seem natural to me, but shoot, I’ve been having headaches lately – and I’m waiting for my phone to cure me.

Really.

There’s a story in National Geographic that says I could be fine.

Check it out.

“What if smartphone apps and diaries tracking sleep, behavior, and emotional states can predict headaches?

“If people with poorer sleep or lower energy levels are vulnerable—can they develop strategies to lessen the number and intensity of pain?

“It’s happening.”

Wow!

Phones curing headaches and Pete Carroll coaching for the 49ers.

The world is moving in reverse.

ITEM: Tonight, folks!

It’s the main event, Washington State at Arizona for a headlock on first place in Pac-12 men’s basketball. 

Did anybody see THIS coming?

Wazzu has already beaten the Cats in Pullman, and Kyle Smith’s guys have won seven straight to pull within a half-game of Arizona.

There are so many unique story lines involved with this matchup.

Start with the fact that this will be the Cougs’ final regular-season Pac-12 game against Arizona.

The Cats, who are ranked No. 4 in the AP poll, are heading to the Big 12 next season.

Wazzu (No. 21) needs only to avoid a meltdown and Smith will take his team to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008.

Then, of course, you have the presence of Tommy Lloyd – the Arizona boss who spent 20 years working at Gonzaga under Mark Few.

Lloyd will NOT want to see Arizona’s final Pac-12 championship escape the Cats at the final hurdle. 

Especially to Wazzu.

Hoo, boy!

Email: scameron@cdapress.com.

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”