WSU Cougars Celebrate Sweet 16
The Washington State Cougars shut down one of the most potent offenses in the Tourney and the Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody, to advance to the Sweet 16. This is the first time in more than 65 years that Wazzu has won two games in the NCAA Tournament--last time, they made it to the national championship game. Coach Tony Bennett motivated his players with a little pre-game reminder of what happened last year, the result: the Cougs dominated the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame from start to finish on Saturday, winning 61-41.
The Cougars are the only remaining Northwest team in the tournament. Oregon, Boise State, Gonzaga, and Portland State all lost in their first round games. In fact, the Cougars were the only No. 4 seed to make it through the weekend.
As a reward for their impressive play during the first two rounds of the tournament, the Cougars now face the No. 1 seed and No. 1 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. WSU and UNC will tip-off the action in the East Region on Thursday afternoon at 4:27pm on CBS. Even more concerning is the cross-country trip ahead for the Cougars to play in Charlotte, a quick road-trip (2-3 hours) from the UNC campus.
Full Dance-Off preview to come later this week.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user ejhammargren.
