Snow be darned, this one’s on

COUGARS

Good evening from snowy Moscow … and snowy Pullman … and snowy just about anywhere in the Palouse. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get back to Pullman after the game, but who knows? As long as the snowplows are working, I’m OK I guess. Well, enough of that. Let’s get to our pregame thoughts.
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• How many people will be here to see this nonconference rivalry, one that’s been played more than any in the Western U.S., is anyone’s guess. But if you have tickets and skip it, you’ll be skipping a great clash of styles and philosophies.

After talking with coach Don Verlin and former Coug Mac Hopson, it’s obvious the Vandals don’t feel they can win unless they can get the tempo up. If it becomes a half-court, grind-it-out affair, even Verlin doesn’t hold a bunch of hope. UI wants to get out in the open court, letting Hopson find his running mates for easy shots. Doing that against the Cougars will be the ultimate test. Baylor couldn’t do it. Gonzaga couldn’t for a half. Then it did, and the entire game changed. But GU is a top 20 team, and Idaho isn’t. So it might be a little harder for the Vandals.

So expect the Cougars to show the same patience they did the last time out against Montana State – by the way, checking out the RealTimeRPI ,

Montana State is 105, while the Cougars are 141. I saw those two teams and, I’m sorry computer guys, WSU is better – and work the ball inside before looking to shoot.

Another thing that might affect the Vandals is they played a little more than 24 hours ago. Guys like Hopson (34 minutes) and Kashif Watson (31) played a lot of minutes. They’ll have to bounce back quick and deal with the mental pressure WSU puts on you on both ends of the court. Their legs might be OK, but will the decision-making?

• That’s it for now. … By the way, Caleb Forrest will make his first start since his freshman year tonight. He replaces Nik Koprivica as the Cougars are looking to play bigger. … We’ll be back at halftime with a quick post, then again at the end of the game. Till then …