Dan Monson and Sarah Palin, Idaho pals?

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Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin was the go-to line even at the Southern California basketball coaches Tip-Off luncheon Wednesday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Long Beach State Coach Dan Monson, who, like Palin, attended the University of Idaho, said he was tired of all the inside jokes that had been made by associates of USC Coach Tim Floyd, who spent the formative years of his coaching career in or around Louisiana.

‘I take exception to the Louisiana Tech secret handshakes, making fun of lipstick and generally of all the Sarah Palin jokes,’ Monson said. Though there hadn’t exactly been a Sarah Palin joke told yet at the gathering, Monson, like all comedians who think they have a good line and are sticking to it, plowed ahead.

‘I went to school with her but I did not know her there,’ Monson said. ‘At least that’s what I told my wife. I gave her my best Bill Clinton imitation and so far she believes me.’

The coaches laughed.

Monson should hope Long Beach State draws a smidgen of the numbers Palin attracts at her rallies. Maybe Monson can get his old college pal to come out and cheer for the 49ers.

-- Diane Pucin