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It is almost time for the annual West Coast Conference basketball tournament, which seems like an appropriate time to remind a segment of grumbling local sports fans that the league did BYU a solid when it let the Cougars join back in 2011.
So, as my grandmother used to say in her PG-13-rated sort of way back when it was my night to do the dishes: Quit yer bellyachin'.
Besides, it is bad form.
I'm not suggesting that BYU hasn't been good for the WCC — because it has. The league's TV deal is more lucrative with BYU in it, and all the schools not named Gonzaga or Saint Mary's basically see their ticket sales double when the Cougars are in town. Then there's BYU-owned BYUtv, which ensures every WCC tournament game is televised.
Admittedly, the Internet message-board and radio sports-talk complaining dropped off considerably after the Cougars stunned No. 3 Gonzaga 73-70 to keep their NCAA Tournament at-large bid hopes alive. Suddenly, those WCC refs weren't so bad after all, and those dinky venues in the so-called church league were more quaint and cozy, less small-time and high school-caliber.
Funny, what one game can do to change some folks' perspective.
If the Cougars dance later this month, they should spring for pizza for the Kennel, because without the Zags' lofty ranking and national profile, the win wouldn't have bumped their RPI to 37 or so, where it is now.
Ungrateful BYU fans should also consider the format of the WCC Tournament.
It begins on Thursday for the women and Friday for the men at Las Vegas' Orleans Arena, which fits the WCC just fine and is better than it appears to be on TV.
All four men's quarterfinals are Saturday. Both tournaments go dark on Sunday before Monday's four semifinals and Tuesday's two championship games.
Yes, no games on Sunday.
You think fans of the other nine schools in the league like paying hotel, food, rental car and entertainment bills for that extra day? Do administrators like footing the bill for their teams to stay, and not play an entire day, if they make the semifinals?
Of course not.
But they do it for BYU, which doesn't play on Sundays.
That accommodation alone should convince fans that the WCC did BYU a favor, and continues to do so, after the Cougars left the Mountain West Conference and went independent in football.
So, show the league a little love, BYU fans. The WCC offered a safe landing spot for the temporarily homeless Cougars' other sports when the MWC told the school it was all or nothing, and through four seasons the partnership has thrived.
What's more, the vitriol is far, far less nasty. Or have you already forgotten the crass and shameful antics, the bigoted taunts from The Show at San Diego State?
A handful of Gonzaga students came close to crossing the line of good taste with some of their Mormon faith-mocking attire and signs on Saturday, but the Kennel mostly delivered tame, clever stuff.
At Loyola Marymount last month, an administrator told the student section to knock off the polygamy chants.
The officiating? Yes, it's not great, partly because the league doesn't pay what the MWC and Pac-12 do. But that's a topic for another day.
Some say being in the WCC hurts BYU's recruiting. I've asked coaches Dave Rose and Jeff Judkins several times if they've ever had a recruit turn down BYU because of its league affiliation. They've never said yes. Actually, trips to the WCC's gorgeous locales are part of their sales pitches, Spokane and Stockton notwithstanding.
Again, I'm not saying all BYU fans share this WCC-is-not-good-enough attitude. But some do. And now's a good time to stop.
Twitter: @drewjay