One number stands above all else: 21

COUGARS

It’s hard to write any more superlatives about how WSU plays defense, so I’ll just write a number: 91.

That’s how many points the Cougars yielded in two Pac-10 games against the Bay Area teams in Pullman this weekend.

Ninety-one.

I know, a lot of that has to do with how the Cougars play offense. And a lot of basketball experts will tell you shooting percentage defense is a better indicator of a team’s defensive prowess.

But the last time I checked, the scoreboard shows points, not shooting percentages. And the fewer points your opponent scores, the fewer you have to score to win. It’s simple math, easy enough even for this math-illiterate to comprehend.

And it’s math the Cougars (including Kyle Weaver, shown guarding a Cal player; AP photo) have earned almost a 4.0 in. They are 21-4 overall, 10-3 and in second place in the Pac-10.

That 21st win came against California on Saturday night, and Glenn Kasses filed this story for the paper and added commentary on his blog.

• Bud Withers of the Times took in the entire Cougar game – and caught part of the GU contest as well – and filed this story.

• The News Tribune’s Todd Milles also was in Pullman and he had this piece which centers around, surprise, the Cougar defense taking care of Cal.

• From the Bay Area, there is this San Francisco Chronicle story and this one from the Oakland Tribune.

• I’m headed out to eat but I’ll be back soon with Vandal, Eagle, Chief and prep links - and maybe a Mariner sighting.