Sound Politics: Good Luck To The Cougars

March 27, 2008

Good Luck To The Cougars

I plan to watch the game, or most of the game, because I want to see the "thrashing croc".

North Carolina (34-2) is not Notre Dame, and Washington State knows the No. 1-seeded Tar Heels will present difficult matchups — from the speedy point guard Ty Lawson, who ignites the fast break, to power forward Tyler Hansbrough's inside game.

So far, no team has found a way to stop Hansbrough, who is averaging 22.8 points and 10.2 rebounds for the season.

"He throws his body around a lot down there, kind of like a thrashing croc in the paint down there, so it should be a nice little challenge," said Washington State center Aron Baynes, who is from Australia.

With that, Baynes managed what no team has accomplished this year. He stopped Hansbrough cold.

Thrashing croc?

"I'm kind of speechless on it," Hansbrough said.

I think I like thrash talk better than trash talk.

Posted by Jim Miller at March 27, 2008 03:41 PM | Email This

Comments

1. I hope they SHOCK THE WORLD. It would be the biggest win in the history of the program.

Posted by: Palouse on March 27, 2008 03:48 PM

2. As a Husky do I root for a fellow Pac-10 team to do good in the tournament? Or do I hope that WSU finds another way to Coug it? Again...

The choice is really quite easy, isn't it?

Posted by: Don Ward on March 27, 2008 04:10 PM

3. Again indeed. What is it, six in a row now Don?

Posted by: Palouse on March 27, 2008 04:13 PM

4. Don - FWIW, KJR had a program discussing that very point today. I didn't listen to much of it, but while I was listening most of the callers said that they could root for the Cougars -- this time.

Some callers said that success in the tournament for any Pac 10 team would help the others in recruiting.

Posted by: Jim Miller on March 27, 2008 04:16 PM

5. It's easy for this Husky grad - I can root for the Cougs but at the same time fully expect they will Coug it. I don't think I could survive all the ribbing I'll get over the next year if the Cougs actually make the final four. That is the life when everyone you know is either a UW or a Wazzu grad.

Posted by: Doug on March 27, 2008 04:22 PM

6. There's a reason the phrase "Coug It" is in the lexicon. I'm sure they won't disappoint.

Posted by: hinton on March 27, 2008 04:45 PM

7. Palouse,

Yes I think it is six times in a row the Snarlin' Dawgs of Montlake have fallen to the Cougs. Tougher for a Dawg fan to remember that number. Since we only have five toes on our feet to count up to...

At any rate, as Husky fan I've learned my lesson about rooting for the Cougars during the last two Rose Bowls. Trust me Coug fans. You don't want UW support and it isn't right as your in-state rival for us to give it.

Posted by: Don Ward on March 27, 2008 05:22 PM

8. Def Leppard:

Are they Cougin' it?

Yeah they're Cougin' it.

Really Cougin' it?

Yes, they're a Cougin' it... C'mon, Steve, Cougin' it...

Posted by: hinton on March 27, 2008 05:55 PM

9. The last time I saw a beating like that, grandma was swatting a rug outside.

Posted by: PC on March 27, 2008 11:45 PM

10. Couged It.

Posted by: Jeff B. on March 28, 2008 12:42 AM

11. Whatever. UNC was clearly just a better team, and WSU was outmatched. Playing in Charlotte didn't help matters either.

I'm glad you Husky fans are taking pleasure with your "Coug it" derisions, but in reality, your smack talk is kind of pathetic when your team was bounced in the first round....of the NIT. Six in a row, bitches.

Posted by: Palouse on March 28, 2008 07:41 AM

12. Um, it's kinda tough to 'Coog it' - ie, blow it - when they were never in it to start with.

RE: Conference teams

I always cheer for the Pac-10 in inter-conference matchups. Except in this case. UNC fan for more than 25 years.

btw, Palouse. It wasn't the NIT for the Huskies. It was the newly created CBI.

Posted by: jimg on March 28, 2008 09:19 AM

13. It wasn't the NIT for the Huskies. It was the newly created CBI.

Thanks. An even lesser postseason tournament. Against Valpo, I think it was of that powerhouse Horizon conference.

Posted by: Palouse on March 28, 2008 10:15 AM

14. Alright, that's true, it wasn't a true Coug It. A Coug It would have meant that they got the score tied, and then blew it at the end. UNC was just the better team. I actually don't have a dawg in the fight. I'm not a UW Alum. I was sort of rooting for the Cougs from a WA perspective, but all my bets and pool picks were on UNC. It was a pretty good run. Certainly better than the Zags of late. And a lot better showing than my Alma Mater, the Broncos.

And Cougs usually don't have that smug, and often liberal elitism of the U. And that alone makes them great.

Posted by: Jeff B. on March 28, 2008 10:16 AM

15. I repeat, Pal... there's a reason the phrase "Coug it" or "Coug-ing it" is in the lexicon.

Posted by: hinton on March 28, 2008 01:20 PM

16. Scoreboard, hinton. Scoreboard.

I suppose WSU losing in the Sweet Sixteen is all you've got when the Huskies are as pathetic as they are. Understandable.

Posted by: Palouse on March 28, 2008 01:29 PM

17. No, Pal... pay attention.

Well, I certainly defer to the overall historical superiority of the Couginits. Who, for example, can forget: "Historically, the football team has been considered one of the worst in the Pac-10, with a low winning percentage, only four Rose Bowl Game appearances."

The Cougs trip to the Sweet 16 this year was the first time... ever. Washington? Two of the last four years.

In football, Couginits have a stellar win-lose record of 492-473-45... and a 6-4 Bowl record.

The Huskies however, are saddled with a somewhat different historical record... of 639–363–50. And we're forced to live with the record of a national championship and an 18-11-1 Bowl Record.

And, of course... how we can LIVE with ourselves with a record of around 76 and 30 against the Couginits in the Apple Bowl?

I, for one, defer to the "Coug it" wiki page for a more adequate description of WSU's unparalleled ability to choke: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coug_It

So, as a Husky alum, I figure I'll manage to muddle thru somehow with our "pathetic" history of dominating Couginit University that stretches back to the 1800's.

At some point, the worm will turn, and we'll be back to beating you people like the rented step-children you are.

Pretty much like we've always done it.

Posted by: hinton on March 28, 2008 06:43 PM

18. It's smug, huberistic comments like hinton's that cause such a riff in the state between east and west. What gets me is how comments like "rented step-children" are supposed to authenticate his superiority complex, indicative of UW alum. Well, it's not fair to say they are all like that. Just every one I've met. And I'm glad he didnt disappoint. Which is why they got beat by a school half their size.

Personally and as an avid WSU fan, I wouldn't be that estatic if the huskies lost. I'd rather see a Washington team in the sweet 16 than anyone. And don't find it in the least bit sporting to rub one's nose in it, especially after not making the cut themselves. THAT sir, is pathetic.
Again...indicative of not all UW alum, just every one I've met. Which is why I pulled my application from UW. If that's what they have to offer, no thanks.

Posted by: Randee on March 28, 2008 07:33 PM

19. It's smug, huberistic comments like hinton's that cause such a riff in the state between east and west. What gets me is how comments like "rented step-children" are supposed to authenticate his superiority complex, indicative of UW alum. Well, it's not fair to say they are all like that. Just every one I've met. And I'm glad he didnt disappoint. Which is why they got beat by a school half their size.

Personally and as an avid WSU fan, I wouldn't be that estatic if the huskies lost. I'd rather see a Washington team in the sweet 16 than anyone. And don't find it in the least bit sporting to rub one's nose in it, especially after not making the cut themselves. THAT sir, is pathetic.
Again...indicative of not all UW alum, just every one I've personally met. Which is why I pulled my application from UW. If that's what they have to offer, no thanks.

Posted by: Randee on March 28, 2008 07:34 PM

20. It's smug, huberistic comments like hinton's that cause such a riff in the state between east and west. What gets me is how comments like "rented step-children" are supposed to authenticate his superiority complex, indicative of UW alum. Well, it's not fair to say they are all like that. Just every one I've met. And I'm glad he didnt disappoint. Which is why they got beat by a school half their size.

Personally and as an avid WSU fan, I wouldn't be that estatic if the huskies lost. I'd rather see a Washington team in the sweet 16 than anyone. And don't find it in the least bit sporting to rub one's nose in it, especially after not making the cut themselves. THAT sir, is pathetic.
Again...indicative of not all UW alum, just every one I've personally met. Which is why I pulled my application from UW. If that's what they have to offer, no thanks.

Posted by: Randee on March 28, 2008 07:34 PM

21. College rivalries are just plain fun. Obviously no one takes them too seriously.

Yes. I'm sitting here in Chicago sporting a Husky Dawg t-shirt as I'm typing. And yes I'm big enough to admit the Cougs have swatted our buts royally these past three or four years at BOTH football AND basketball.

But no I can't root for WSU. Ever. Especially with the recent scoreboard which Palouse has so aptly pointed out.

Tyrone is going to get the squad back in shape this season though. Oh yeah. Purple Rain will return...

Posted by: Don Ward on March 29, 2008 12:02 AM

22. I completely understand hinton. You have to go back to history to make yourself feel better about losing six straight because your basketball team is so pathetic. That Valpo loss had to sting.

The only other fanbase with more elitism than U-Dub despite the fact they haven't won anything of note in this millenium, is Notre Dame.

Posted by: Palouse on March 31, 2008 08:02 AM