CBI 2012 Results: Brock Motum's Status Will Determine Washington State's Fate

Washington State beat Pittsburgh in Game 1 of the CBI championship, 67-61, without the Pac-12's leading scorer this year, Brock Motum.

But that game was in Pullman. Game 2 (and Game 3, if necessary) will be in Pittsburgh. And if Washington State wants to win one of those games, they'll need Motum back.

Motum—and his 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game—remains questionable for tonight's game as of publishing. 

It wasn't a problem for Washington in the first meeting, as they shot 51 percent from the field (and were around the 60 percent mark in the first half), well above the team's season average of 46.3 percent from the field.

They also shot 9-15 from three, a performance they can't expect to replicate. Ask Missouri or Duke how relying solely on a perimeter attack worked out for them this season.

It's a risky proposition to become too reliant on outside jumpers. Plus, Pitt has a definite edge in the post—if Motum returns, he balances that area of the game.

Plus, Pitt was pretty good at home this year, finishing the year 15-8 on their home court. With home court advantage and its back against the wall, Pitt won't be an easy out for a Cougars team missing its best player.

I still believe this tournament will go as Motum goes. If he can come back and play well either tonight or Friday night, Washington State should be able to win a game in Pittsburgh.

But if he isn't able to go or is ineffective, Washington State will have a long plane ride across the country to lament an opportunity squandered.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets have won a lot since 2009.