:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66386546/usa_today_9666088.0.jpg)
In what is sure to inspire some great discussions amongst the WSU fan base Nick Rolovich has unveiled #CougarMadness
Welcome to #CougarMadness. Be on the look out for twitter polls on these dates to determine the best game of all time. Champion will be named day before Spring ball starts. Don’t get pissed at the new guy, you all determined the seatings. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/GQXl4eeZdb
— Nick Rolovich (@NickRolovich) February 26, 2020
A few thoughts on the lineup:
Strong recency bias:
Some of the older classic games seem to get the short shrift. We are missing the 1997 Labor Day weekend classic against UCLA as well the 2002 matchup in LA that clinched the PAC-10 championship.
Seedings that make you go hmmm:
Beating the No.1 team in the country on the road is a 9 seed? Winning an Apple Cup in the snow to go to the Aloha Bowl a 16? Recency bias rearing it’s ugly head again I’m afraid. The 40+ crowd is not big on Twitter apparently.
Matchups ranked best to worst:
97 Apple Cup vs 97 Rose Bowl
The dream game and only loss on the list versus the game against your rival that got you to your dream game.
03 Holiday Bowl vs 15 UCLA
Beating Vince Young and Texas in the “Basler” game takes on Gabe Mark’s game-winner in Pasadena.
02 USC vs 03 Oregon
WSU defeats Pete Caroll in OT going up against the “Tip Drill” game in which WSU’s defense dominated the Ducks in Eugene.
5 17 Boise State vs 12 82 Apple Cup
Here is the late Tyler Hilinski’s overtime miracle taking on Chuck Nelson’s shocking miss with the goalpost being thrown in the Palouse River.
18 Oregon vs 88 Apple Cup
Gameday against a fantastic Apple Cup in the snow.
12 Apple Cup vs 88 UCLA
Mike Leach’s only Apple Cup win was a lot of fun but no contest against a game that probably should have been a top 4 seed.
17 USC vs 15 Oregon
The “Woodstock” game vs a nice win in Eugene that probably is a questionable inclusion in my mind.
92 Apple Cup vs 08 Apple Cup
The Snow Bowl against a game that definitely should not be in this tournament. 97 UCLA cmon folks!
Final Four:
Going with 18 Oregon, 97 Apple Cup, 92 Apple Cup and 03 USC which is (gulp) chalk. I like a battle of Apple Cups for the crown with 92 coming out on top.
This is going to be a lot of fun folks!
Basketball
WSU’s Smith says he expects Isaac Bonton to return Friday vs. UW
Cougar PG has been cleared to practice
Washington State seeking to improve from 3-point line – both on offense, defense – heading into Apple Cup | The Spokesman-Review
It would be accurate to say Washington State’s efforts from the 3-point line have both rescued and doomed the Cougars at certain points of the 2020 season.
Football
Nick Rolovich & WSU release spring football practice dates
Crimson and Gray Game in Martin will be held April 25 at noon
Samoan culture fuels football success & WSU's Rolovich knows it
Acclaimed author, in Pullman, talks about why Samoan culture builds football players