WSU takes on Tennessee in 2nd round of NCAA tournament

The Washington State Cougars breezed into the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 3-0 win over Montana on Saturday, but what awaits them in the next game will be a much, much stiffer challenge: Third-seeded — and sixth-ranked — Tennessee.

The game kicks off at 11 a.m. PT from Ann Arbor, Michigan (where the second-seeded Wolverines are hosting) and it will be streamed online on Big Ten Network+.

The Vols have won 19 games this season, a program record. They’ve only lost twice, and haven’t lost in their last six, the latest of which was a 3-0 win over Lipscomb in their opening round contest.

I’d love to give you a comprehensive scouting report on the Vols, but I can’t — I haven’t seen them play. I can tell you that forward Jaida Thomas leads the team with 13 goals; she didn’t score against Lipscomb, but she had scored 7 goals in the previous five games. She partners up front with Mackenzie George as part of what looks like a 3-5-2 formation; George leads the team with 9 assists (to go along with 6 goals).

Without a doubt, the Cougars’ center backs — Mykiaa Minniss and Brianna Alger — will have their hands full.

Of course, the Vols will have their hands full with WSU’s attackers, too. Tennessee is coming off consecutive shutouts, but they had given up 8 goals in the previous 5 games.

“Forward-wise, they’ve got some talented kids up front but you know what, so do we,” coach Todd Shulenberger said Wednesday. “And we have some talented kids in the back, and so do they. So it might come down to the midfield because the overlooked piece could be the midfield. What’s the midfield going to do in this moment, and that’s what I’m looking forward to see.”

Best of all, the game will not be taking place in Knoxville, where the Vols are undefeated this year.

“It’s a great standard where we are at with this program,” Shulenberger said. “This group of young ladies, this super senior class has been a part of that whole run these last six or seven years. It’s a great standard to have. I always remind them every day, ‘Winning is hard and don’t you forget that,’ because it doesn’t matter who we play, when or where, winning is hard.”

P.S. — Can you imagine what this team might have done if it had Trinity Rodman? She was a rookie in one of the best women’s soccer leagues in the world ...

LINKS

WSU soccer has built culture of winning | Sports | dnews.com
It’s become increasingly evident since the magical 2019 run to the College Cup semifinal round that the Washington State women’s soccer program is legit.

Idaho set to host unbeaten Washington State at new arena Thursday | University of Idaho | khq.com
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The Battle of the Palouse continues in Moscow - Washington State University Athletics
at Idaho (1-2) | Thr., Nov. 18 | 6 p.m.

The pick: Why Washington State will beat Arizona | The Spokesman-Review
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‘They’re special people’: WSU to honor 14 outgoing players Friday, including star RB Max Borghi | The Seattle Times
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'It was my time to step up': Ahead of final game in Pullman, Washington State slot Travell Harris reflects on Cougar career | Washington State University | khq.com
PULLMAN – A football whiz with a naturally magnetic personality, Travell Harris made a seamless transition from “the young guy to the vet” in early 2020.

Cougars Close Out Home Slate Hosting Arizona Friday Night - Washington State University Athletics
Kickoff is set for 6:10 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Washington State volleyball trying to beef up NCAA Tournament resume as regular season winds down | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State has a couple of important objectives entering its final home stand of the volleyball season. One, send lone senior Penny Tusa out in style in her last Bohler Gym matches against No. 13 Oregon on Thursday and Oregon State on Sunday. Two, enhance the Cougars’ resume in hopes of securing the program’s sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Final home weekend at Bohler begins with No. 16 Oregon - Washington State University Athletics
vs #16 Oregon (720-6, 11-5) | Thursday, Nov. 18 | 6 p.m.

> Live Stats | StatBroadcast

> Watch | Pac-12 Insider

vs Oregon State (4-22, 1-14) | Sunday,

Women's Golf Brings In Three New Cougs - Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State women's golf team is excited to announce the addition of its first three signees of the 2022-23 class, as Lily McCauley, Hannah

Ado Headed to 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships - Washington State University Athletics
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Washington State men's cross country junior Amir Ado will head to Tallahassee, Florida this Saturday, Nov. 20, to compete in the 2021 NCAA Cross

Cougars Head to Houston For Phill Hansell Invitational - Washington State University Athletics
All three days will have live results.