WSU counts down to UW
COUGARS
This morning we examined one aspect of tonight's contest that has the potential to be game-deciding. Now, with a bit more than an hour before tip, we examine another. Read on for more.
••••••••••
• As Jerry Brewer wrote about this morning, both these teams are among the conference leaders in pace of play. But Washington State isn't nearly as efficient at it as Washington is. Which makes it crucial tonight for the Cougars to control UW's transition game. "Their offensive rebounding and their ability to get out and go is as good as any team in the country," WSU coach Ken Bone told me this week. "It's not just Isaiah (Thomas), though he's kind of the ringleader there. When the ball gets in his hands, a lot of good things happen for the Huskies." So how do the Cougars keep the ball out of Thomas' hands in the transition game? It is nearly impossible, of course. But there is a difference when he has the ball with the court spread and defensive roles undefined and him with the ball in his hands in a half-court set. It might be the difference between, say, dealing with a knife or a razor, but one is still sharper than the other. The weapon WSU will try to deal with is the half-court one. ... Column interruption: Bill Moos just walked across the court to hug Ernie Kent, the former Oregon coach serving as FSN's color analyst. ... Anyhow, Thomas has a nearly 3-1 assists-to-turnover ratio, which, as Bone said, is damn good. "He's taking a lot of pride in his passing ability. He's proven that," Bone said, before commenting on his ratio. "That's really impressive. It's not like he's an unknown guy. People are guarding him. He's a player of the year candidate and people are all over him, not only trying to stop him but they are aware that when he has the ball, he's a weapon. And yet he's able to put up those type of numbers." Tonight, WSU will do whatever it takes to make him post his numbers in the half court. Every time WSU shoots, expect at least three guys disdaining the offensive glass and retreating downcourt. If UW starts getting its transition game going, expect a quick time out.
•••
• That's it for now. We'll be back at halftime and on Twitter all game (Vinceg55). Until then ...
