CougCenter - All PostsWhy Washington State? Well that's a stupid question.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47853/fave.png2024-03-18T16:00:00-07:00http://www.cougcenter.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T16:00:00-07:002024-03-18T16:00:00-07:00Washington State Basketball’s Path to the Final 4
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament Quarterfinal-Stanford vs Washington State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wINYJQVDFjZTQ9Mo9q3I4yoU4WE=/0x0:8640x5760/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216609/usa_today_22779267.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Who does WSU have to beat to get to the Final 4?</p> <p id="iHheSI"><a href="https://www.cougcenter.com">Washington State</a> has finally done it. For the first time since I was 6 years old, WSU men’s basketball is on the way back to the tournament. While making it to the tournament is a huge accomplishment in and of itself, now the stress for Coug fans truly begins. </p>
<p id="53zrXE">As a 7-seed, WSU luckily avoided having to potentially play a 1-seed in the second round, but they were still stuck in a tough bracket. 7-seeds have a fairly mediocre record against 10-seeds, 92-59 since 1985, per Joe Boozell at NCAA.com. </p>
<p id="G5gaiX">Then, WSU has to face who I consider the best 2-seed, Iowa State, and- if they want to win a championship, they’ll likely come up against the number one overall seed and reigning national champions, <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a>. All this to assume the chips will fall in favor of the Cyclones and the Huskies (no, not those ones). </p>
<p id="JKGBvQ">WSU is on the way to Omaha, somewhere in middle America. So let’s get right to the heart of matters, because it’s the heart that matters the most. </p>
<h2 id="qKC14E"><strong>Path to the Round of 32</strong></h2>
<p id="0cvrmU"><strong>Opponent: </strong>Drake Bulldogs</p>
<p id="wA0754">I’ll have a far more in-depth breakdown of this game on Thursday, but at a glance, this is a scary first game in the tournament. Drake has, arguably, the best overall player in this game with Tucker DeVries, and are the best defensive rebounding team in the country according to Kenpom, which could mitigate one of WSU’s biggest offensive strengths. They are also comfortable playing at WSU’s pace. WSU does have a couple advantages here. For one, DeVries is reliant on outside shooting to be his main scoring weapon, but few of their other players have gravity outside and that should allow the Cougs - an already elite 3-point defensive team - to lock in on DeVries outside shot. Drake is also a bad rim-protecting team, ranking 246th in opponent two-point shooting. If WSU pulls off a win, it will be because they keep DeVries quiet, score inside, and prevent Drake’s offense from generating good shots inside. If they do all of that, they have a great chance to move onto the round of 32. </p>
<h2 id="Gbqc7h"><strong>Path to the Sweet 16</strong></h2>
<p id="O80DWC"><strong>Likely Opponent: </strong><a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State Cyclones</a></p>
<p id="f7ilLC">This was my nightmare second-round matchup. TJ Otzelberger is one of the best coaches in the country, Iowa State is Kenpom’s top-rated defense, and they force a ton of turnovers. There is some hope here, as WSU should have a size advantage inside- and I wouldn’t say that the Cyclones have some huge talent advantage, but it will be difficult overall.</p>
<p id="FRtnwf">This second-round matchup (and by extension, every game that Iowa State will play) will be ugly. WSU would need to be better at playing ugly than the Cyclones. They would have to be able to score inside, avoid turnovers, and keep Keshon Gilbert and Milan Momcilovic in check on the other end. Another sneaky advantage WSU has here is that Iowa State doesn’t rebound all that well. If WSU could combine a strong rebounding game with a low turnover game, they would have a real shot. </p>
<p id="eqmgM9"><strong>Less Likely Opponent: </strong>South Dakota State Jackrabbits</p>
<p id="QkPjkZ">WSU fans probably have some bad memories of the last time they were matched up against South Dakota State, but this is a much better Coug team and a worse Jackrabbit team. This South Dakota State team would struggle mightily with the Cougs’ interior size, but WSU would have to do a great job on Zeke Mayo defensively if they wanted to avoid allowing another 15-seed Sweet 16 run. </p>
<h2 id="HJ7uQs"><strong>Path to the Elite 8</strong></h2>
<p id="aXGyku"><strong>Most Likely Opponent: </strong>Illinois Fightin Illini</p>
<p id="c57jHJ">WSU is a far more balanced team on both ends than Illinois, but Illinois is far more explosive offensively. They make shots, they score inside, they offensive rebound, and they avoid turnovers. The Illini also play at a controlled pace, which means that there isn’t much of a pace game to run for the Cougs. This is the rare team that WSU will not have a huge size advantage on, as everyone who starts for the Illini is between 6’6 and 6’10. WSU’s path to winning here would be scoring effectively inside and being able to generate and convert open outside shots. Illinois’ biggest defensive strengths are that they run teams hard off the line and they protect the rim, but they get lazy on that end when having to guard for long stretches and the Cougs could exploit that to generate open shots.</p>
<p id="w9O4Z9"><strong>Next Likely Opponent: </strong><a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU Cougars</a></p>
<p id="7qIgyT">BYU is a dangerous team and one that has a real chance to make a push for the Elite 8. They are deep, big, talented, and connected. WSU would likely have some size-matchup down-low, but they wouldn’t have much extra size on the wings. WSU’s path to victory here would be protecting the rim at an excellent level, as BYU is 8th in country in two-point field goal percentage. They would also have to force BYU to play at their pace. BYU prefers to play fast and get shots up early in the clock, but if WSU can guard their complex actions and slow them down then they will have a real chance. </p>
<p id="WqP1g2"><strong>The Rest: </strong>Duquesne Dukes and Morehead State Eagles</p>
<p id="Ow6Xpj">Morehead State plays like Ohio Valley WSU, as they play incredibly slow, focus on scoring at the rim and from deep, and they focus on protecting the rim and preventing catch-and-shoot 3s defensively. They are much smaller and less overall talented than WSU, but if they are in the Sweet 16, then that means that they are really making shots from outside and their senior star players are scoring effectively against high-major talents. WSU would have to punish them inside consistently and wall off the rim defensively to beat them. </p>
<p id="9b61uW">Duquesne is going to a popular upset pick because they are hitting the ground running after winning the A10 tournament. The Dukes are a strong defensive team aside from their rebounding, but they would struggle mightily with WSU’s size. If they are in the Sweet 16, it is because they are turning teams over a lot and getting easy buckets on the break. That is an advantage they have over the Cougs and something WSU would have to be careful of should they get to that point. </p>
<h2 id="5UUpEo"><strong>Path to the Final 4</strong></h2>
<p id="boiAgy"><strong>Most Likely Opponent: </strong>UConn Huskies</p>
<p id="aESaME">I don’t need to spend a ton of time here. We all know this UConn team. They are the best offense in the country - per Kenpom - and they are also an elite rim-protecting team thanks to Donovan Clingan. Tristen Newton is one of the best guards in the country as both a scorer and a playmaker and Dan Hurley’s move and space offense takes advantage of their elite shooting to create great shots from deep and at the rim. </p>
<p id="u750ij">So how does WSU beat this team? Pray for a miracle? Well, there isn’t a ton of hole to pick with this UConn team, but the Cougs would have some size advantage and there is a world where they can effectively guard shooters Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer while no one else on the team is making shots. Despite being an elite overall shooting team, most of that shooting is tied to those two players while the rest of the roster is, at best, inconsistent. Then, WSU would just need someone to go nuts offensively, grab a couple offensive boards, keep UConn off the glass, make a high-percentage of their outside shots, handle the Newton and Clingan pick-and-roll, and not foul an outsized amount. Sounds easy right?</p>
<p id="4JL8zQ"><strong>Next Likely Opponent: </strong>Auburn Tigers</p>
<p id="Ul5K9s">Auburn is an explosive team on both ends and they are probably underseeded on the 4-line, especially in the region with the number 1 overall seed. The Tigers have an incredible interior player in Johni Broome who WSU would have to be able to handle down low. Auburn is also a great shooting team on the wing, which provides a lot of space for the pick-and-rolls between their trio of solid guards and Broome. WSU would have to be able to dominate the boards here, as Auburn is not good on the defensive boards but they excel in terms of protecting the rim and guarding the 3. If WSU would want to win this game, they’d have to turn this game into a slugfest. </p>
<p id="uSPMJT"><strong>The Rest: </strong>San Diego State Aztecs, Florida Atlantic Owls, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, UAB Blazers, and Yale Bulldogs</p>
<p id="Un6yqW">Of this group, the obvious threat is the Aztecs. SDSU made it all the way to the championship last year and they are not incredibly different from that team. The Aztecs are once again a defensive squad to watch, but I do think there’s some fools gold there, as they guard the 3 well in terms of percentage, but allow teams to shoot a lot of outside shots. Should WSU play them, they should be able to get good shooters good shots. WSU’s size would also allow them to matchup with interior scorer Jaedon LeDee. </p>
<p id="XkC7qE">Northwestern and FAU both have an incredibly difficult path as 8/9 seeds, but if they make it, it’s because they’re making shots from outside at a high-level. Northwestern is the best shooting team in the country, and they have quite the talented guard in Boo Buie, but that reliance on outside shooting likely plays into WSU’s hands a bit. FAU is small and WSU would have an interior advantage on both ends, but they would have to be able to control the pace and guard their scorers in isolation. </p>
<p id="76Cyro">UAB and Yale are both guard reliant teams who are in the tournament because of conference tournament runs. Both are unlikely to make the run to the Elite 8, but should they make it, it would be because both have guards that have gotten hot. WSU would have to be able to dominate inside and guard those elite scorers in order to win. </p>
<p id="igkJTJ"><strong>What Stands Out?</strong></p>
<p id="9TddkC">When looking through the possible matchups in their region, there is a trend for how they are could win games. Use their size advantage on the boards, to protect the rim, and to score inside at a higher level than their opponents. March is all about leaning into your strengths and WSU’s strength is their size. Of course, the Cougs are going to have to make shots and they are going to have to avoid turnovers, and it will take a little bit of magic, but there is a path here for the Cougs in their region. And isn’t magic what March is all about?</p>
<p id="NyNTiL">Go Cougs. </p>
https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/18/24105024/washington-state-cougars-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-path-underdog-game-previewBryce Hendricks2024-03-17T21:12:11-07:002024-03-17T21:12:11-07:00OFFICIAL: Washington State heads to March Madness, faces Drake in opening round
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<figcaption>Ashley Davis</figcaption>
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<p>WELCOME TO MARCH!</p> <p id="iNmnDB">For the first time in 16 years, the <a href="http://cougcenter.com">Washington State Cougars</a> are headed to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.</p>
<p id="XOrAA4">The Cougars are a seven seed in the East region and will play the 10 seed Drake Bulldogs in Omaha, Nebraska at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 21st.</p>
<p id="MAunSj">“It’s neat to see these guys put the work in. They know how hard this is and to earn this opportunity, it’s been terrific. We couldn’t be happier for this group, been pretty easy to coach.” Kyle Smith said.</p>
<p id="L5Fumu">“Since I finished my chemotherapy, I wrote it down in my journal and on my iPad, all the things that, you know, me personally, I want to accomplish and team wise and just everything I want for us to be able to do. Making the NCAA Tournament was one of the things I wanted to get done this year and then we got a couple more things we can check off.” Myles Rice said.</p>
<p id="g9m0YM">Last time WSU was putting on their dancing shoes: Flo Rida and T-Pain’s “Low” was dominating the top 100, the New York Giants had just defeated the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42 and CougCenter.com <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com/2008/8/20/597604/welcome-to-cougcenter">had yet to exist</a>.</p>
<p id="MmPZb0">But on Sunday, CBS got to pan inside Beasley Coliseum to capture the reaction of the team, and fans, snapping their tournament drought.</p>
<p id="i9M8QU">“It’s a special feeling. As a four-year guy to be able to make it to the NCAA Tournament, it means a lot. But, I honestly saw the vision from the beginning, from my freshman year. I saw something in the coaching staff that I thought, we can make something special. And obviously it takes time. My sophomore and junior year, we made it to the NIT.” Andrej Jakimovski said. “But like I said, as a four-year guy, to be able to play in the best tournament in the world means a lot to me and to this program.”</p>
<p id="69nOAn">The Bulldogs are fresh off winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, defeating the Indiana State Sycamores in the title game. They went 25-6 in the regular season and 16-4 in conference. Their two out of conference losses coming against UAB and Stephen F. Austin. The Bulldogs boast the nation’s best defensive rebounding team, only allowing opponents to gather 22.1% of their misses for offensive rebounds.</p>
<p id="hEjfwg">“I watched them play their conference tournament and they’re good. I just remember they have a point guard that really defends, they got a big widebody, they got the best player in the league and the coach’s son. So it’ll be a really good challenge.” Smith said.</p>
<p id="MVtbTa">The game will take place at the CHI Health Center Omaha and be the final tournament game of the day.</p>
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https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/17/24104496/march-madness-washington-state-cougars-drake-bulldogs-bracketNate Dahl2024-03-17T08:00:00-07:002024-03-17T08:00:00-07:00NCAA Tournament Opening Weekend Sites, RANKED
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<figcaption>Photo by: Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Who has the best city? Who doesn’t?</p> <p id="lL23oX">Good morning, and welcome to Selection Sunday where, for the first time in this old man’s time writing for this here website, your <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com">Washington State Cougars</a> and their fans will see the best logo in sports appear during this afternoon’s selection show! Woooooooo! As exciting as it is to know we’ll be a part of the festivities, it sure would be a little more fun if the Cougs hadn’t been coughing and wheezing so badly down the stretch. We’ve gone from “Spokane may be in play!” to “Oh, cool. Memphis for an 8/9 game at 10 a.m. PDT. Hooray?”</p>
<p id="dM0jE4">Nonetheless, Sunday is like Christmas Day for college hoopheads, as well as the millions of folks who are only here for the office bracket contest. You know, the one that Blanche in HR always wins because she bases her picks on vacation spots and uniform colors. This year also marks the first time IN THE HISTORY OF EVER that both my Cougs and Mrs. Kendall’s Dayton Flyers will both take part in the NCAA Tournament. We’re breaking new ground everywhere!</p>
<p id="HMAB66">But before we find out for certain where WSU will play, and against whom, we figured it would be a fun exercise to rank the eight possible locations. If you’ve read anything I’ve written over the years, you’ve come to expect any rankings and analysis I provide to be largely subjective, uninformative, unfunny, and substance-free. Well you’re in luck, because this is no different! </p>
<p id="ISpo5i">I based my location rankings mostly of the following:</p>
<ul>
<li id="odV7Tb">First and foremost - Is it Thursday/Saturday or Friday Sunday? This is important to me and probably three other people! You didn’t ask, but I’ll tell you why. I’m currently on a side-hustle work trip to Reno (again), and won’t be leaving until the 20th, arriving back in the So-called free(ish) state of Florida around 3:15 p.m. I have every intention of watching WSU in-person - <strong>EDIT:</strong> I’m on the fence, as every time I think about spending money to watch WSU, I am often thankful when I decide against attending what turns out to be another disappointment - and if the Cougs play on March 21, I’m gonna have a pretty quick turn to get out of town the next day! Therefore, Friday/Sunday sessions win all tie-breakers.</li>
<li id="nqRHNc">Is it warm? Well, we may have to find some more criteria, as the two ‘southern’ cities are...Charlotte and Memphis??!! My kingdom for a regional in Tampa or New Orleans!</li>
<li id="gH5QNK">Is it difficult to get to? I based this on flying out of Spokane, since that’s the biggest city near Pullman. Pretty much everywhere is easy to get to from Seattle via commercial air, as only one of the eight host cities requires a layover.</li>
<li id="1tkxpm">How pricey are the hotels? Well this does me no good because they’re expensive everywhere! Well except Spokane because I could just squat in my parents’ house, for a nominal fee of course.</li>
<li id="ME9YlZ">How’s the beer? This may be the #1 criterion, now that I think about it. </li>
<li id="XxrSvc">Have I ever been there? I’ve been to a decent number of cities on this here planet, but I always like finding new places. Oddly, two of the host cities are locations where either I or Mrs. Kendall grew up (she spent her youth in Carmel, just north of Indy). But that’s about it! Other than airports in a couple of these places, I’ve never been to the NYC area, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Memphis or Charlotte. Yet I <em>have </em>been to Cape Town, Seoul, Amman, Izmir, Tallinn and Lisbon. If that seems weird, I agree! Still, new adventures possibly await! </li>
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<p id="zfhXZF">Anyway, let’s get to it.</p>
<h3 id="VIkzLp">Spokane, Washington</h3>
<p id="52UcWN">Distance from Spokane: 0 miles</p>
<p id="jJk3dd">Nicknames: The Lilac City, Spokavegas, Spokanistan, Spokaloo</p>
<p id="Yn4JZj">Bottom Line Up Front: Regrettably, since WSU crapped the bed with both the regular season title and conference tournament title on the line, it isn’t going to Spokane. But we still with the Cougs were gonna be there. But yeah, when you choke, you don’t get what you want.</p>
<p id="1xfmfb">Why Spokane? They’ve got restaurants! At least three of them! They’ve also got attractive women - and some guys who have likely been accused of workplace harassment - everywhere! Even on the skywalks! </p>
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<p id="x9nHBB">The hair. My god, the hair.</p>
<p id="cvKaJk">Beer scene: Pretty good! While there’s not much of anything around the Arena itself, there is plenty to choose from within a few miles, especially downtown. NoLi, which is Cougar-owned(!), should always be on the agenda. Other solid spots are Whistle Punk Brewing, Post Street Ale House, Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey, and Mountain Lakes Brewing Company.</p>
<h3 id="6Gi5TY">Salt Lake City, Utah</h3>
<p id="1kyRkM">Distance from Spokane: 546 air miles, with nonstop flight options.</p>
<p id="z1GGUO">Nicknames: The Saintly City, Crossroads of the West, The Human Whiteout</p>
<p id="Gu4gc0">Why SLC? It’s the second-closest location to eastern Washington, and by far the easiest to get to, outside Spokane. Oh, and if you do go, take your kayak for shelter because apparently they’re not big into indoor spaces out there.</p>
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<p id="eGSCZM">Beer scene: It’s Utah, so I’m not too sure if there are some weird laws like there have been in the past. Further research indicates that you can’t get a draft beer above 5% ABV because of course. But it looks like there are some decent options around the Delta Center, including Red Rock Brewing, Beer Zombies (if it’s related to the one in Vegas, it’s good), Bewilder Brewing and Level Crossing Brewing. Uinta is pretty much the Salt Lake craft beer OG, along with .</p>
<h3 id="sFO0dp">Charlotte, North Carolina</h3>
<p id="K24mRv">Distance from Spokane: 2060 air miles (but close-ish to me!)</p>
<p id="5cJHhs">Nicknames: Queen City, Mint City, City of our airport totally sucks</p>
<p id="LmqJZj">Why Charlotte? Well it’s probably going to be warmer than Pullman! Also, Charlotte has food! And beer! And...some sort of giant metal parrot statue? Some sort of giant metal parrot statue! </p>
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<p id="jdePfC">And Ikea! You won’t find that just anywhere!</p>
<p id="ce75fo">Aside: Ever notice how almost none of these ads are shot during the winter?</p>
<p id="CfXQU6">Beer scene: You have to go a bit west from the arena to get into the beer district-type area, but there are several spots within close proximity to each other. Some spots are Dram & Draught, HopFly Brewing, Wooden Robot Brewery, Hi-Wire Brewing, and Bulldog Taproom.</p>
<h3 id="ozP4yy">Brooklyn, New York</h3>
<p id="tz4PvQ">Distance from Spokane: 2,174 miles</p>
<p id="2K4uOb">Nicknames: The Borough of Kings, Crooklyn, DUMBO, Can’t the Nets Belong to Someone Else?-lyn</p>
<p id="4lOraf">Why Brooklyn? At least it isn’t New Jersey?</p>
<p id="UYzkbl">Beer Scene: If you’ve ever thought, “Ya know, I could really go for a vinyl record or two as a pairing with this double popsicle sour barrel-aged IPA”, BierWax is the place for you! There’s also Henry Street Ale House, The Beer Witch, and TALEA Brewing Co. A little further out is an Evil Twin spot, which I guarantee you is awesome because Evil Twin beer - the pride of Copenhagen, Denmark - is awesome. I know this because <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com/2019/12/15/21022565/washington-state-cougars-vs-air-force-falcons-cheez-it-bowl-tale-of-the-tape">I once made a run to Copenhagen to get a box of said beer</a>. </p>
<h3 id="Nlt91f">Indianapolis, Indiana</h3>
<p id="3PYQuf">Distance from Spokane: 1645 air miles</p>
<p id="XM9LaK">Nicknames: Circle City, Nap Town, Crossroads City, Mike Pence’s Party Palace (Hours: noon-2 p.m., closed Sundays because you’re a heathen)</p>
<p id="bB2tqG">Why Indy? Well if you’ve ever had a hankering for Europe-style roundabout driving, head north of the city to the lovely suburb of aforementioned Carmel! You can drive around and around until you run out of gas! If you stay downtown, there’s enough to do in the immediate area that you don’t need to venture very far. Since it’s Indianapolis in March, that’s a good thing.</p>
<p id="Dp7Vow">Beer Scene: Sun King Brewing is an Indy staple, and doesn’t disappoint. I’ve also enjoyed several Taxman selections, and they have a place right next to the tournament venue. St. Joseph Brewery and Chilly Water Brewing are also good. The Slippery Noodle also has some decent beer and a sublime fried pork tenderloin sandwich. You can thank me later.</p>
<h3 id="0TA7nl">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</h3>
<p id="enU8Zq">Distance from Spokane: 1901 air miles</p>
<p id="JzYRay">Nicknames: Steel City, Iron City, City of Bridges, City Everybody Left</p>
<p id="9HWGAm">Why Pittsburgh: They’ve got road signs! And bridges! And other buildings! And, uh, more road signs! It can all be yours with some accompanying house music!</p>
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<p id="spvwf5">Beer scene: Looks to be a bit spread between a few different districts along the river(s). The Church Brew Works, VooDoo Brewing, Helltown Brewing and Eleventh Hour Brewing are all spots along the Allegheny River. </p>
<h3 id="SRfT05">Omaha, Nebraska</h3>
<p id="ekCzqa">Distance from Spokane: 1151 air miles</p>
<p id="NAUqJk">Nicknames: The Big O, River City, Omaha: It’s mostly just more Iowa. Sorry.</p>
<p id="FOATnd">Why Omaha? If you ever wanted mountain/alpine-type scenery wait I mean the exact opposite of that, Nebraska is the place for you! It’s also where the Reuben sandwich originated, which is worth something to me! Even the people of Omaha are pretty well convinced that nobody really wants to go there, because this ad seems to be saying “You didn’t want to come here but hopefully you got lost and stumbled into town because we’ve got a lot to offer!”</p>
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<p id="hWXygE">Beer scene: There are a few spots downtown near the arena, and some more that aren’t too far away, such as Upstream Brewing, Brickway Brewery and Distillery, Lumen Beer Company, and Zipline Brewing. However, I looked at the Zipline Brewing website AND THERE ISN’T A ZIPLINE ANYWHERE TO BE FOUND! CAVEAT BEERMPTOR!</p>
<h3 id="iYVxLF">Memphis, Tennessee</h3>
<p id="jvyCs3">Distance from Spokane: 1662 air miles (and the only city that Seattle doesn’t serve nonstop) </p>
<p id="XPjbpv">Nicknames: Home of the Blues, Bluff City, Sorry You Had to Visit This City, City</p>
<p id="XafZEk">Why Memphis? It’s the only choice left, and Kabul wasn’t on the list. On the positive side, if you’re a music fan, I guarantee you’ll enjoy this town. Well, I think you will. I’ve never been there. But hey, Marc Cohn liked walking around!</p>
<p id="hJC0PE">Oh, and if you’re not into music, you can always, uh, go watch some ducks walk out of an elevator?</p>
<div id="PduYlF"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uFMPCNWbNCE?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="GQK8Go">Even the quacking of confused water fowl sounds better in Memphis!</p>
<p id="83EsiH">There’s also a non-zero chance that if I go to Memphis I’ll end up eating my body weight in ribs, and nobody needs to see that.</p>
<p id="TA1vFN">Beer scene: You’d probably do well to venture past the arena and the Beale Street tourist traps in favor of some places an easy ride share away, such as Wiseacre, High Cotton Brewing, Ghost River Brewing and Crosstown Brewing Company.</p>
<p id="qFrA4R">So there you have it, one doofus’s rankings of possible WSU game locations. What are your preferences, and why?</p>
<h3 id="owl8fG">The Last Couple Weeks in Parenting</h3>
<p id="xB22eb">I mentioned that the high schooler went to a drill meet a couple weeks back, and he came home with a declaration. “I found a backup school while I was gone, it’s called Embry-Riddle.” Oh good. Nothing like having a school that charges $63,000+ per year as a fallback option. </p>
<p id="uwBP3Q">But college is still a couple years off. In the meantime, he’s slogging through another semester of honors and AP classes, and Biology is his only stumbling block. Problem is that stumbling block is like the size of the Green Monster at the moment. No offense to the biologists among us, but high school biology shouldn’t be this hard to breeze through with a “B” at a minimum, yet his teacher seems hell bent on making everyone suffer through this particular branch of science. One thing she encourages is for the kids to bring printouts of the slide shows to class. Yes, she basically narrates to Power Point. As someone who’s had to sit through thousands of mind-numbing ppt presentations, that doesn’t seem like a great way to teach!</p>
<p id="Sk50gu">Anyway, I depend on him to send me a copy of the slides so I can print them at work because they don’t allow him the print the 50-60+ slides at school. Yes, you read that correctly. SIXTY GODDAMN SLIDES PER UNIT OF STUDY! Makes total sense that he’s encouraged to print slides for class but is not allowed to print those slides AT SCHOOL. As is his modus operandi, he always forgets to send them to me, causing me to stay on him. One morning, as he got out of the car, I said, “One word. What’s the word?” I don’t remember his answer, but is wasn’t ‘slides’!!! I corrected him and sent him on his way. </p>
<p id="AZGUBp">He still didn’t send them, causing me once more to wonder why I bother. </p>
<p id="VmOqqx">Around the same time, Mrs. Kendall was in need of a new car, as hers suffered an untimely demise. So we went to the car store and got her one, a Hyundai Palisade. The kids prefer her car to my old 2017 beater by an order of magnitude, naturally, to the point where the 12 year-old referred to mom’s new car as a “pimp mobile.”</p>
<p id="Orubf9">“Do you even know what a pimp is?”<br>“No.”</p>
<p id="C3eWX0">I...believed him?</p>
<p id="93tQzv">Later on, he was all excited for some new level or venue or whatever on Fortnight. Afterward, I asked him how he liked it.</p>
<p id="96OUwm">“It’s good.”</p>
<p id="yjhkOc">It was then that I channeled my inner “I WAS YOUR AGE ONCE TOO” feelings, and asked, “but was it bussin’?” (this is a word I’ve heard him use to describe something he really likes)</p>
<p id="mAWxb1">“Yeah it was bussin’.”<br>“Well why didn’t you say that instead of saying it was good?”<br>“I was trying to dumb it down for you.”</p>
<p id="03FynW">oh.</p>
<p id="CU9CYx">On Saturday, the youngest and I took in a Sun Belt Conference Tournament game in Pensacola. Before it started, I told him that Arkansas State was a 3.5-point favorite over Louisiana, with a total of 151.5. He took the underdogs and the over, and I took the favorites, avoiding the total. It was clear before halftime that his underdog play wasn’t gonna come home, but the total had a shot. At halftime, he says, “the game is already over the over/under!” I said it wasn’t close to 151.5, and he then informed me that he thought the over/under was 51.5. Strange! He’s normally such a good listener!</p>
<p id="6aO2uS">As the game reached about seven minutes remaining, the kid was looking for the exits. I told him we shouldn’t leave because his over/under bet was still hanging in the balance. Fast forward to 90 seconds remaining, with the score 84-58. He needed 10 points in to hit his bet, and suddenly he was back in! Instead of draining the clock, Ark State hits a 3. We’re alive! The Cajuns hit a couple free throws and a layup, and suddenly we’re THREE POINTS AWAY WITH 50 SECONDS LEFT! </p>
<p id="LR2ube">So we both begin screaming for Louisiana to foul. Louisiana does not foul, but Ark State hits a layup. Half-a-point away with 30 seconds left! Now the scrubs are on the floor, and if there’s one thing the white guy scrubs like to do, it’s jack threes while they have a moment in the sun. Louisiana does just that! The ball is in the air and it...hits the other side of the backboard. Again, the kid is yelling FOUL! FOUL!!! They don’t foul. SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT! The backups do not shoot it. The game ends with jubilant Red Wolf fans and a dejected 12 year-old. I feel like I’m raising him right and I will not hear anything to the contrary.</p>
<p id="uJUwK1">As we walked out of the arena, he said, “Maybe our game will be on Bad Beats.” Maybe, son. Maybe.</p>
<h3 id="iIWeLt">Non-Sports</h3>
<p id="0Hgy0I"><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/04/inside-north-koreas-forced-labor-program-in-china">Inside North Korea’s Forced-Labor Program in China | The New Yorker</a><br>Workers sent from the country to Chinese factories describe enduring beatings and sexual abuse, having their wages taken by the state, and being told that if they try to escape they will be “killed without a trace.” Ian Urbina reports.</p>
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https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/17/24089528/college-basketball-ncaa-mens-tournament-opening-weekend-sites-rankedPJ Kendall2024-03-16T11:30:29-07:002024-03-16T11:30:29-07:00WSU Awaits Selection Sunday
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament Semifinal-Colorado vs Washington State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jPR3vwn_66Z07Ticd0SghVa6kW0=/0x0:8001x5334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211848/usa_today_22788327.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Where will the Cougs open the NCAA Tournament?</p> <p id="1j1xSD">We’re on the Selection Sunday.</p>
<p id="0eDCOl">Our Cougs will go goose egg on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/pac-12-basketball-tournament">Pac-12 Tournament</a> championship appearances as the conference peters out thanks to last night’s pitiful performance against Colorado. I suppose the good news is the loss, coupled with Oregon’s upset of Arizona, means the Pac-12 will get at least three teams in the tournament, and possibly four if Oregon wins (Colorado is on the bubble). That means more money to the conference, and more money to WSU when it desperately needs it.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Washington State's loss means Pac-12 will send a third team to the NCAAs (Colorado or Oregon), thus ensuring an extra $2 million in units for WSU and OSU (and maybe more if the Ducks/Buffs advance)</p>— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) <a href="https://twitter.com/wilnerhotline/status/1768863716710490509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="2oiFUQ">But I digress.</p>
<p id="7eoz7S">I’s not like the season is over. Far from it. WSU has played a special season and is firmly in the NCAA Tournament. Where they’ll play and what seed they’ll be is still unknown, but we’ll get answers tomorrow at 3 p.m. PT on CBS.</p>
<p id="SXYXqv"><a href="https://barttorvik.com/tranketology.php?">T-Ranketology has WSU as a 9-seed right now</a>. Joe Lunardi of ESPN still has <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2024-march-madness-men-field-predictions">WSU as high as a 6-seed</a>, but he’s moved them out of the Spokane games, which is to be expected. There was no way WSU would have a chance at playing in Spokane without <em>at least</em> a Pac-12 Tournament title game appearance. It was fun to dream, though.</p>
<p id="he10SD"><s>Speaking of Selection Sunday, as of this writing, there hasn’t been any announcement of a watch party in Pullman. But you can follow </s><a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougars"><s>WSU Athletics</s></a><s> and the </s><a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougarsMBB"><s>men’s basketball team</s></a><s> on X, and check the </s><a href="https://wsucougars.com/"><s>athletics website</s></a><s> and the </s><a href="https://news.wsu.edu/"><s>university’s news center</s></a><s> throughout the day in case something is announced.</s></p>
<p id="tbD321"><strong>UPDATE: </strong>It’s happening tomorrow at Beasley Coliseum If you’re in Pullman, I highly recommend you go and enjoy the moment. You don’t know when this will happen again.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coug fans! Join us tomorrow at Beasley Coliseum for the 2024 NCAA Tournament Selection Show. <br><br>1:45 - Doors open<br>2:30 - Pre-show program begins<br>3PM - Selection Sunday on CBS<br><br>Light refreshments and popcorn while supplies last!<br><br>We can’t wait to dance with you. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCougs</a> <a href="https://t.co/u1GJKUAIZQ">pic.twitter.com/u1GJKUAIZQ</a></p>— Washington State Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougarsMBB/status/1769061291564404768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="YJP52d">I remember the fun we all had in 2008 watching WSU’s name pop up as a 4-seed:</p>
<div id="gBcmRX"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBTqcgC5JlQ?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="n1GFBQ">With Spring Break ending and students headed back to Pullman, a public watch party would be a fun way to spend a sunny Sunday. Hell, have it in Martin Stadium.</p>
<p id="NAtt6s">While we’re looking back at 2008, let’s re-live the time WSU advanced to the Sweet 16 with a dominating win over <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a>:</p>
<div id="o721rx"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ph7sGVLP-Iw?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="SYzudc">I was on press row for that one as a reporter for The Daily Evergreen. It was an absolute Bennett Ball clinic, as WSU dictated everything and held a Notre Dame team that was used to fast, high scoring games to just 41 points. The WSU fans were large and loud, and they filled about two sections in the lower bowl and another one in the upper bowl.</p>
<p id="j0UoZO">As I made my way to the postgame presser, I walked past Tom Izzo, who is much, much shorter in person.</p>
<p id="ictalL">Fun times. Let’s do it all again next week. Go Cougs.</p>
https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/16/24102953/wsu-basketball-selection-sunday-ncaa-tournament-2024Kevin Dudley2024-03-16T09:00:00-07:002024-03-16T09:00:00-07:00No. 22 Washington State can’t overcome mistakes, falls to Colorado 58-52
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament Semifinal-Colorado vs Washington State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Wc7oqI6xzxPXWPXJ-ZbHbtKDvRM=/0x0:8001x5334/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211727/usa_today_22787841.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cougars put themselves in position to advance, but the self-inflicted wounds proved to be too much.</p> <p id="0cOOxZ">Despite a valiant effort late, the No. 22 <a href="http://cougcenter.com">Washington State Cougars</a> couldn’t overcome their abundance of mistakes in a semi-final loss to the <a href="http://ralphiereport.com">Colorado Buffaloes</a>, 58-52.</p>
<p id="0fVAEW">In shades of the women’s run to the title just over a year ago, prior to tipoff the Pac-12’s one seed fell in an upset. This opened the door wide open for the winner of this game to have a much better chance at a Pac-12 title. Though for Colorado, they were more importantly playing to secure themselves a bid to March Madness with a win and looked every bit the part of a team playing for their lives.</p>
<p id="AAHZ5K">While WSU already has a March Madness bid all but announced, securing two of the last four Pac-12 titles across men’s and women’s basketball would have been the ultimate middle finger to the rest of the conference as it goes down in flames. Instead, WSU squandered away a great opportunity in the worst way possible, beating themselves. </p>
<p id="8na4Vr">This game was always going to be an absolute war. Yet, despite 19 turnovers and shooting 21% from beyond the arc, WSU found themselves with a chance to tie the game in their last possession. If the Cougs could have simply not played one of their sloppiest games of the year, they likely walk out with a win. Instead, they fly home without the chance of playing one more game for a trophy.</p>
<p id="dFWgNW">The game began as expected with both teams jockeying for the lead and trading body blows. Jaylen Wells became the early focus for the offense with a pair of threes, but those proved to be the only the Cougs would make in the first half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jaylen Wells catch-n-shoot! He's got the pair of Coug triples in this one.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCougs</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CVE</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/FS1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FS1</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBBonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/gAwW5jthZi">pic.twitter.com/gAwW5jthZi</a></p>— Washington State Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougarsMBB/status/1768842350040916195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="T33Bbc">While WSU’s defensive efforts were able to keep KJ Simpson and the most of the Colorado offense at bay, the Cougs nine first half turnovers and the inability to find an early answer for the Buffaloes early post presence helped create a five point deficit into the halftime break. </p>
<p id="IvKIxE">The Buffaloes kept their foot on the gas into the second half with Simpson nearly matching his first half total with a trey and paint bucket to push the lead out to nine, putting WSU into the danger zone of letting this one get away from them. </p>
<p id="J0tCcs">WSU couldn’t even put a dent into the lead early because of their inability to get out of their own way. The Cougs turned the ball over five teams in the first seven minutes of the half and looked to be destined for a blowout loss. Yet, their defense allowed them to stay afloat. The Buffaloes inability to find that shot that pushed them up double-digits allowed for a 7-0 WSU run to bring this game within a possession. </p>
<p id="6PwRrI">With the Cougs now trailing by just a three-pointer, Myles Rice looked poised to at least bring the game within one after jumping a pass to start a two-on-one fast break with Andrej Jakimovski. Wells also beat the Buffaloes down the court as a potential kickout option. Rice met the Buffaloes last line of defense in Tristan da Silva at the rim and tried to go with a nifty behind-the-back pass to Jakimovski. Instead of completing the fast break, Rice fumbled the ball and left it hanging for the trailing Cody Williams to snatch away.</p>
<p id="D3ohZd">While Kymany Houinsou does score on the next possession after Colorado misses their shot, WSU’s momentum really seemed to slow after their 15th turnover of the game.</p>
<p id="79dpJO">Despite losing some momentum, the Cougs continued to show the fight they had shown in big games all year. The Cougs battled all the way back to take their first lead since they lead 17-16 on an Isaac Jones bucket with 3:11 to play.</p>
<p id="xLV0aZ">The Buffaloes made it pretty clear early on they wouldn’t allow Jones to beat them. He could only get up three shots for just one make in the first half. But in the second half, when WSU needed their All Pac-12 player to step-up, he did just that. Jones flipped the switch, scoring 11 points in the second half, missing just one shot, and hauled in four rebounds. </p>
<p id="QCB7AI">Though the lead wouldn’t last long. Simpson retook the lead on the next possession with a pair of free throws and the Buffaloes extended it out to three after another turnover from Rice.</p>
<p id="JcN6Bx">Still, despite all the momentum shifts and turnovers, WSU remained in position to steal this game away. Out of the timeout, Jones went to work in the post, drawing the double team and leaving an open Houinsou inside for an easy two off a great find.</p>
<p id="Ltd5wY">On the Buffaloes next possession, the Cougars had them locked down for 28 seconds before Luke O’Brien cashed a floater inside to bail the Buffalo offense out and push to lead back out to three.</p>
<p id="AYyVTq">After the teams traded traveling violations late in the shot clock, it left WSU with the ball and the shot clock turned off down just a single three pointer. On their possible game tying possession, an off-ball screen from Houinsou helped clear an open sight for Wells from beyond the arc that just missed. </p>
<p id="H6qqty">WSU had to quickly foul Simpson on the rebound that seemingly ended the game for WSU. But, Simpson missed the front-end of a one-and-one free throw to give WSU a pulse. Jakimovski reeled in the loose rebound and passed it up to Wells. As Wells crossed half court and halted his dribble, the Cougars tried to call timeout, but couldn’t call it quick enough before a foul sent Wells to the line for his own one-and-one chance with 5.4 seconds remaining. The usually clutch Wells couldn’t connect on the front-end, allowing Colorado to gobble up the rebound and ice away the game on an Eddie Lampkin free throw.</p>
<p id="ecy9Ru">This loss is an absolute bummer. While this was lived up to the billing of a tightly contested battle, WSU just beat themselves. If it weren’t for a surfeit of uncharacteristic turnovers against a team that typically doesn’t turn the ball over a lot, they likely are playing on Saturday night.</p>
<p id="HJP6dH">Losing to a good Colorado team playing for their lives is nothing to be ashamed of, but losing in the fashion is. 19 turnovers, hitting four of 19 three-point attempts and scoring zero fast break points doesn’t win you ballgames. Knowing Oregon. and not Arizona, was the team standing between you and vengeance against those who had forsaken you months prior is just salt in the wound.</p>
<p id="oefM1G">Yet, I leave you with this. If I had told you in September that WSU would lose in the Pac-12 semi-finals and still knew they had a 100% chance of having their name called on Selection Sunday, would you believe me?</p>
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https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/16/24102655/washington-state-cougars-vs-colorado-buffaloes-mbb-pac-12-tournament-recapNate Dahl2024-03-15T08:00:00-07:002024-03-15T08:00:00-07:00March Madness 2024: we were meant to be here
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DA_oFO3Xzvx_mR8gyhUmNhj-ImQ=/0x0:3750x2500/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73209487/MBB_USC_022924__20_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ashley Davis</figcaption>
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<p>It’s been a long time coming.</p> <p id="5gv3D0">Good morning, Coug fans!</p>
<p id="qlWejT">As you may or may not know, today is the start of a very culturally significant weekend—a weekend that your <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com">Washington State</a> Men’s Basketball team has not been a part of for some time (16 years). </p>
<p id="oBMrxu">A weekend that kicks off a month of unity, stress, gambling, and so much more. </p>
<p id="zdXaTV">Selection Sunday. <em>March Madness.</em> These are phrases many of us are familiar with. “March Madness” was first coined by a high school referee named Henry V. Porter in Illinois in 1939. Porter’s iconic term of endearment for the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-02-07/2024-march-madness-mens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates">NCAA Tournament</a> wouldn’t become widely popularized until Brent Musbuger (a CBS broadcaster and former Chicago sports beat writer) referenced it in 1982, turning it into a household name. It’s been linked to the tourney ever since. </p>
<p id="jgL2MJ">In the beginning, only eight teams were chosen to compete in the prestigious tournament. The University of Oregon was the first champion in 1939 (which I have conflicting feelings about), beating <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> (which I also have conflicting feelings about) 46-33. The number of teams would grow to 16 in 1951, 32 in 1975, and finally landed at the 64 we’ve been accustomed to in 1985. <em>Like a Virgin</em> was on the air, everyone seemed two inches taller due to the sheer volume of hair, and my father was about to turn 30. Times were simple! </p>
<p id="chKkJc">Everyone would gather on Selection Sunday and wait with bated breath to hear their name called. Or their team's name, if you’re a normal person like me.</p>
<p id="ErNhmc">But what is “Selection Sunday”? When did that begin?</p>
<p id="TdxyeQ">Well, in 1981, CBS aired its first “Selection Show”—which started as a 30-minute program and eventually morphed into a two-hour event designed to not only showcase the bracket and announce who is in or out but also provide analysis and highlights of the teams who get an opportunity to take their talents to the big stage. </p>
<p id="UuJ13C">This year, we’ll hear our name for the first time in a long time. </p>
<p id="XoKQKm">What is Washington State’s relationship to the iconic March Madness Tournament?</p>
<p id="S0vS1P">Let’s take it all the way back to 1941. </p>
<p id="sSzsts">Your Washington State Cougars, led by the late great WSU alum Jack Friel, were having one of their most iconic seasons in history. Friel had been at the ship's helm for 13 years at that point, not halfway through his eventual 30-season tenure. Similar to this season's Cougs, the ‘40/41 squad was picked to land somewhere near the bottom of the Pacific Coast Conference, which was a narrative they were eager to change. They went on to be top of the conference and plowed all the way to the finals, where they fell to Wisconsin 39-34. While this generation of Cougs can’t relate to losing to Wisconsin (if you know, you know), it feels good to have gotten justice for the ‘41 Cougs, just in a different sport. </p>
<p id="rEuUBQ">WSU has appeared in the famed tournament in 1941 (seeds weren’t a thing yet), 1980 (5th seed), 1983 (8th seed), 1994 (8th seed), 2007 (3rd seed), and 2008 (4th seed). </p>
<p id="W9oIUR">In case you’re a history buff, here are pictures of all the brackets that involve WSU! All pictures are found in this article, including <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/basketball-men/d1/every-ncaa-bracket-1939-today-tournament-stats-records">every NCAA bracket from 1939!</a></p>
<p id="zPJZUy"><strong>2008</strong></p>
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<p id="AEZyop">WSU was eliminated in the Sweet Sixteen this year against top-seeded North Carolina. North Carolina would go on to get eliminated in the semi-finals, falling to the eventual champion, Kansas. <br>This was the BKT (before Klay Thompson) era. Aron Baynes was a junior, and the economy was crashing. <br>When Craig Powers reads this, he will text me and say that there was so much more to this season, but Craig, I only have so much time. I’m sorry! Please reach out to Craig with any further questions about 2008. It was a wonderful time in his life, and I was ten and didn’t care about anything except my peace-sign headband and Greek Mythology. </p>
<p id="RRC1wZ"><strong>2007</strong></p>
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<p id="nWqeNy">WSU fell in the tournament's second round to 6th-seeded Vanderbilt, after beating 14th-seeded Oral Roberts. Vanderbilt lost the following round to Georgetown, who went all the way to the semi-finals, only to lose to Ohio State, who would go on and lose the whole thing! <br>Only four players from this era have Wikipedia links (Baynes, Nikola Koprivica, Taylor Rochestie and Kyle Weaver). The final game for WSU in this tournament actually ended in double overtime, which is very cool! Another fun fact about this season? They completely swept the University of Washington! Yay, ‘06/’07 squad!</p>
<p id="g1q8vQ"><strong>1994</strong></p>
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<p id="L8p4wH">Washington State lost to Boston College in ‘94, and the Eagles actually made it all the way to the Elite Eight! So that makes me feel better! Boston College was a 9th seed. <br>During this era, WSU had snapped its eleven-year March Madness drought under Kelvin Sampson! There was no conference tournament; it had stopped in 1990 and wouldn’t resume until 2002 due to “academic concerns.” This was the end for Samson, who packed the extra L in his name after taking an unfortunate L in the tournament and jumped ship to Oklahoma. Kevin Eastman (<a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/kevin-eastman-1.html">no L in his name, a few unfortunate Ls in his career</a>) took over until 1999. </p>
<p id="I6OGcR"><strong>1983</strong></p>
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<p id="K8m4KA">The Cougs took on Weber State (9th seed) to kick off their tournament run, and won 62-52. They went on to face 1st seed #4 Virginia (seems unfair but ok), and lost 54-49. Virginia lost in the Elite Eight! <br>This team was coached by the Pac-10 Coach of the Year and runner-up AP Coach of the Year, George Raveling! Unfortunately, he left after this season and went to Iowa. A name on this roster that you might have heard is Craig Ehlo, who we remember for being a WSU legend and definitely not for falling down after Michael Jordan scored a game-winning goal.</p>
<p id="4QqR0X"><strong>1980</strong></p>
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<p id="0tlHK4">12th-seeded Penn knocked the Cougs out, but they would go on to lose to Duke, so it’s alright. At this time, WSU snapped a 39-year drought from the NCAA Tournament. The information for this season of Men’s Basketball is... a little sparse, but I will do my best! We do know that the Cougs went 22–5 overall in the regular season, 14–4 in conference play, and third in the standings. </p>
<p id="4cXJCL"><strong>1941</strong></p>
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<p id="oN1Dzl">And that brings us back to the beginning! </p>
<p id="iWer8z">I think it’s really cool to see the brackets throughout the years. Looking at all the special logos in the corner and how the one from 1941 is just so plain- because, of course, it is! It’s from 1941! No one is going to create a logo for a chart from a time when charts and logos weren’t even a thing! And how cool is it that we were part of that? It’s us, inked, in the history of an event that notoriously and tolerably distracts the entire country in a positive way. I work in a high school, and I’m already preparing to scold students with games on their phones, even though I myself will be hiding a broadcast (if you’re my boss reading this, that isn’t true, and I work VERY hard). </p>
<p id="FoAK7o">And this year, a new bracket and logo will be added with our name on it. A new year on our banner. </p>
<p id="SknNFa">I don’t know how we’ll do in the tournament and I can’t bring myself to stress about it. I’m too excited simply to be in the conversation. I’m sure I’ll feel differently when it’s game time, but for now, the fact that we’re part of something bigger again makes me too happy to question anything. For a few days, we get to live in that. </p>
<p id="RqBdP5">What do we know about the 2024 Selection Sunday, March 17th?</p>
<p id="NeUKM7">It’s airing on CBS at 3:00 PST, and the Cougs hope to get lucky. </p>
<p id="esjdOi">Back on February 7th, my friend Jeff Nusser (you might have heard of him) dropped his <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-cougars-basketball/2024/2/7/24065587/wsu-cougars-basketball-bracketology">Bracketology: How WSU can feel safe on Selection Sunday</a>. But, by the time you’re reading this, a lot has gone down between February 7th and March 15th. Hell, I’m starting to write this on March 1st (I will not be accused of being unprepared) and I’m sure more things will change! But I can’t apologize for having March on the brain. </p>
<p id="WBWB2F">For now, live in the moment with me. Let’s see where we land and get ready to cheer on the Cougs!</p>
https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/15/24087913/washington-state-cougars-mens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-pac-12-march-madness-program-historyEmma M Weightman2024-03-14T20:39:11-07:002024-03-14T20:39:11-07:00No. 22 Washington State advances to Pac-12 semis with 79-62 win over Stanford
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>WSU adds another game to their schedule.</p> <p id="Tn54XW">The No. 22 <a href="http://cougcenter.com">Washington State Cougars</a> used a strong first half to fly past the <a href="http://ruleoftree.com">Stanford Cardinal</a> in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament, winning 79-62.</p>
<p id="6ivaBp">WSU — six days removed from their last game — looked energized from the opening tip. The Cougs controlled the game offensively, attacking the undersized Cardinal with 42 of their points coming from the paint. The frontcourt duo of Isaac Jones and Rueben Chinyelu led the charge inside with 16 and 10 respectively while snatching a combined 10 rebounds. </p>
<p id="20baBO">While Oscar Cluff did get the start, Chinyelu proved to be the better matchup against the Cardinal who had no answer for Chinyelu’s toughness. The big man was in his lab tonight, analyzing and breaking down Stanford’s post defense time and time again.</p>
<p id="pjnCDb">In their last game, Andrej Jakimovski was noticeably ailing from a shoulder injury that left him struggling to shoot the ball and even play effective defense. Tonight, aided by some KT tape, he looked like the Jakimovski of old. The senior drilled a trio of treys in the first half to lead all scorers into the halftime break with 11.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andrej with his third triple! He's into double figures and delivering daggers from deep.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCougs</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CVE</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pac12Network</a> <a href="https://t.co/jplQys5NDW">pic.twitter.com/jplQys5NDW</a></p>— Washington State Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougarsMBB/status/1768454420566859789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="jkTObR">Coming off the bench, Kymany Houinsou made an impact on both ends of the court. His defense helped lock down the Cardinal offense and he was able to slash past the Cardinal jerseys for some buckets inside. The Frenchman recorded a pair of blocks, including a great chase-down to eviscerate a Stanford fast break. Right before the halftime buzzer, he capped his outstanding first half with a bucket inside off a great feed from Jones to push WSU up 16 points and give him seven in the half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cougs get the bucket before the buzzer and head to the locker room with a double-digit lead on the Card.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCougs</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CVE</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pac12Network</a> <a href="https://t.co/HZdzkayjYu">pic.twitter.com/HZdzkayjYu</a></p>— Washington State Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougarsMBB/status/1768457794246906179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="lsOWF5">Last night, Stanford rallied from 18 down for an overtime victory against the rival <a href="http://californiagoldenbears.com">California Golden Bears</a>. While WSU, held a lead as high as 24, Stanford made their push for a second straight comeback with a 12-2 run to bring the game within 14. After a timeout to stop the momentum, WSU quickly erased any hopes Stanford had of back-to-back herculean comebacks with a 9-2 run to put the Cougs back up 21 and able to go on cruise control for the final seven and a half minutes.</p>
<p id="ITEDF0">It’s been awhile since WSU looked this sharp early in a ballgame. Perhaps the time off, the stage, or both, helped rejuvenize this team. They looked every bit the part of not just a NCAA Tournament caliber team, but a team that can make a run in the dance. We hadn’t seen that from this team down the stretch of the regular season, as they looked lethargic at times early in games and hadn’t really blown anybody out since their win over Cal nearly a month ago to the date. </p>
<p id="jKYOOz">At this stage of the season, you don’t have any future games on your schedule except for the one directly in front of you. Your wins are now rewarded with adding another game to your schedule. There is no excuse to look ahead to what’s next because as far as the schedule is concerned, you only have one game left. </p>
<p id="X4MNDV">And for their outstanding efforts tonight, they have earned another game on their schedule. WSU will now play the <a href="http://ralphiereport.com">Colorado Buffaloes</a> in the semi-finals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. </p>
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https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/14/24101431/washington-state-cougars-vs-stanford-cardinals-mbb-pac-12-tournament-recapNate Dahl2024-03-14T13:30:00-07:002024-03-14T13:30:00-07:00Go Time: Let the Cougar Basketball Postseason Begin
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<figcaption>Ashley Davis</figcaption>
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<p>Are we all emotionally prepared?</p> <p id="ZwFfxD">The stage is set. Coug fans are in Vegas getting rowdy, there’s a renewed buzz in the air, and the #2 seeded <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com">Washington State Cougars</a> are ready to make their debut in the 2024 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/pac-12-basketball-tournament">Pac-12 Tournament</a> tonight against Stanford. Let the Cougs’ postseason begin, folks.</p>
<p id="kuUaIG">I don’t know about you, but I personally feel that we’re due for a dominant performance tonight— I’m talking a few gorgeous Jaylen Wells corner 3’s, an Isaac Jones poster, speedy layups from Myles Rice (dropping another <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/1/18/24043908/washington-state-cougars-stanford-cardinal-pac-12-game-recap-wsu-win-myles-rice-isaac-jones">35 points </a>wouldn’t hurt), and some more serious Oscar Cluff <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/2/18/24076134/washington-state-cougars-vs-stanford-cardinal-pac-12-mbb-recap">defensive action.</a> A huge block Rueben Chinyelu, perhaps? Is it too much to ask for?</p>
<p id="0m8ejx">Starting today, we’re officially in full swing of March. I’m honestly not sure if my heart is prepared. The Pac-12 tournament this week leading directly into Selection Sunday, leading directly into March Madness feels like a recipe for cardiac arrest. But, my schedule is cleared, and I’m ready to be pacing around my living room more anxiously than ever before. </p>
<p id="VMKQ1e">Nerves aside, however, this is a massively exciting time for Cougar basketball fans, and the amount of pride towards this team is unmatched. We truly have some of the <a href="https://x.com/morgannarby/status/1765956318853210462?s=20">sweetest, most stand-up guys </a>on our team this season, and it’s been a privilege to see them fight together and for each other this regular season. I have confidence that the guys will bounce back refreshed and ready to go to kick off the most exciting part of the journey tonight.</p>
<p id="FCtR78">The most important games are yet to come, starting tonight, and I couldn’t be more excited to cheer on the Cougs to my maximum ability. If you’re down in Vegas, party hard for those of us who will be pouring beverages at home (and <a href="https://twitter.com/morgannarby">tweet me </a>your photos of the Cougs taking over Sin City so I can feed into my already crippling FOMO)! Buckle up and enjoy the ride, Cougs, as March is only beginning.</p>
<p id="GlldAq">Game tonight is at 6pm PT, on the Pac-12 Network! If you can’t be down there (like me), don’t forget to tune in! Go Cougs!</p>
https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/3/14/24101047/washington-state-mens-basketball-postseason-march-madness-pac-12-tournament-cougars-ncaaMorganNarby