Sunday, January 28, 2024

Cougars, Huskies and Zags All Win

It was a great Saturday as the three 
major men's basketball teams in
Washington State all won. Not 
something that happens all the time.

I would say Gonzaga was really the 
only team expected to win while
the Cougars and Huskies we were 
hoping they would.

Gonzaga actually was the closest 
game which was expected to be
a blow out. The Cougars won their
game in double digits while the
Huskies as a blow out.

Gonzaga beat Pacific 82-73 on the road.
Pacific made it tough on the Zags leading
by one at half time 35-34. The Zags had
foul trouble in the first half as well as
poor shooting. The second half was 
different as they shot better and went
on a 12-2 run. Pacific wouldn't let the
Zags off the hook for a while though
they weren't able to win.

The Zags had all five starters score
in double figures as they did in their
previous game to. Graham Ike who
missed some time in the first half
for foul trouble led the Zags with
20 points. Nolan Hickman who played
the whole game had 19 points. Anton
Watson who missed time in first
half as well ended up leading the Zags
in rebounding with eleven. Also he
had 12 points. 

The Zags play home on Tuesday 
against Loyola Marymount. They
are 3-4 heading into the game. 
On Saturday they play St. Mary's
which might be the toughest
game so far as they are 7-0 in
conference and have won eight
straight.

The Cougars beat Colorado at
home to sweep the two home
games beating Utah on Wednesday.
The Cougars showed it is tough
for road teams to win in the Pac-12
conference though it is possible.
Final WSU 78 Colorado 69

The Cougars had control of the game
most of the game. The Buffaloes are
a very good team. Had they won the
game they would be on the top of the
Pac-12 conference instead they are 
in third place behind Arizona and
Oregon. 

The Cougars shot better from the 
field making six more field goals.
They were pretty even on three point
shots as Colorado made one more.
The Cougars had four players score
in double figures. Jaylen Wells and
Myles Rice were tied in the lead with
17 points each. Wells was second in 
rebounds with 10. Isaac Jones led 
with 11 rebounds and had 13 points.

The Huskies controlled the game 
from the start on  the way to a 
score 98-73.  Wasn't a good road
trip for Utah as they were routed 
by the Cougs on Wednesday. The
Huskies showed what they are 
capable of when they are at their
best.

Keion Brooks Jr dominated scoring
27 points on the night. The Huskies
had four starters in double figures.
Paul Mulcahy had another great
game scoring 18 points. The coaching 
brass must have told him to score
more points. He certainly look like
he was having fun.

Sahvir Wheeler was having fun dishing
the ball as he had 10 assists on the 
night. Braxton Meah who was having
a good game took a fall late in the
first half tripping on a fellow Husky
coming down the court after dunking
a ball. He twisted his ankle and missed
the rest of the game. Wilhelm Breidenbach
who started at center had to play most
of the second half. Have to see whether
Meah will be back for the next game.

The Huskies and Cougars don't play
until Saturday when they face each
other in Seattle. The Huskies should
be favored since they play their best
ball at home however don't count out
the Cougars who are having a good 
season. Even with the win the Huskies
are in 10th place in the conference 
with Oregon State and USC below
them.  The Beavers though swept 
Arizona and Arizona State this week 
at home. The following week the 
Huskies and Cougars play the Beavers 
and Ducks the following week on
the road so won't be easy for both 
Huskies and Cougars. Splitting the
series for both seems to be the
best scenario. In the meantime
face each other first. 





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