I'm sorry it's so late, but this is the first free time I've had all day. This is easily the busiest day during the tournament. Every team is available to the media and every team practices for 40 minutes (they actually practiced privately at a different location before they worked out in front of the crowds at the Pepsi Center, so it's more like a shoot around).

I was with the Cougars last year in Sacramento (their first trip to the tourney in years and years) and they seemed a little tense. This year, back to the tournament for the second straight year for the first time in school history, they seem more relaxed and confident.

The biggest topic of the day seemed to be the Cougs senior class. From fans telling us they came here to see Kyle Weaver, Derrick Low, and Kyle Weaver to everyone in the local and national meeting asking the trio about there four year journey. These guys seem to be the focus. When asked what they think of one loss bringing an end to their Cougar careers all said they were using that as motivation to keep fighting.

The players from Winthrop seem like good kids. Michael Jenkins, the Eagles leading scorer, was a bright guy...very friendly. They seemed concerned with match up issues with WSU. Their fear is that no one can battle inside with Aron Baynes and Robbie Cowgill (it's probably a good point because there isn't one player on Winthrop's roster taller than 6'9"). When I was watching their practice, the "big guys" didn't look very good. Eagles head coach Randy Peele also expressed concerns of his team's ability to keep up with the Cougs physicality.

The other major topic was how similar these two teams are. Both like to slow down the tempo and both love to play defense. The Cougars allow 57 points per game. Winthrop allows 58 points per game. The only difference is that Washington State plays in one of the toughest conferences in the country...the Eagles play in the Big South.

The Cougars moved to a nine point favorite, but now they're back at 8 1/2 points. I feel like that's a pretty reasonable spread. It's going to be a low scoring affair and those aren't typically blowouts.

I think the Cougars will win pretty easily. Many consider this a rebuilding year for Winthrop...they won't be able to keep up with a more experienced WSU team (hopefully I didn't jinx anything).

I'll be back here tomorrow...

Go Cougs!

1 Comments

megan said:

omg. I'm watching the game tonight! I'm so nervous, but the Cougs will win for sure. GO COUGARS!!!!

March 20, 2008 7:41 AM

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