NCAA Tourney: Tar Heels Stuff Cougars

Coach Tony Bennett and his Washington State Cougar team ran into the unexpected against No. 1 North Carolina in Charlotte. The Tar Heels completely shut down the Cougar offense in route to winning the Sweet 16 matchup. Final score: NC 68 - WSU 47

WSU succeeded on defense, holding the high flying Heels to well under their season average. That was expected. That wasn't enough. Not even close.

Going into this game, the Tar Heels won 34 games by running their opponents off the court. That never came close to happening in their 35th win. But the dominance by a tremendously athletic team brought about yet another lopsided win for Coach Roy Williams.

Time and time again in the first half, WSU had chances to take control of the game after stopping the Heels offense. But Carolina would have none of it. By the end of the game, the Cougar offensive stats were a sad sight. Taylor Rochestie never found a rhythm, going 1-8 from the field. Kyle Weaver tried just about every trick in his bag, but never pulled a rabbit out of the hat. He went 3-13 after watching shot after shot doink off the rim. With those two struggling to get a hoop, Robbie Cowgill wasn't much of an option either. Though he had plenty of open looks, it didn't matter. Derrick Low never managed to put together a couple of makes.

When you're playing a team as physically talented as North Carolina, you have to score more than 47 points.

Credit is due the Tar Heel squad. The executed a game plan by Coach Williams to perfection. It's hard to believe they can play much better than the 40 minutes in this game. On offense, they took the crumbs WSU left on the table at that end of the court. When it came to defense, they completely stifled the Cougs. Stuffed might be a better term to apply to the Heel effort on D.

This game was another step forward for Washington State basketball. Coach Bennett clearly has changed the attitude about Cougar hoops. Players know they can win...and expect to. Fans have circled around this new phenomenon. There is still work to be done, but Bennett Ball has become something very special.

Washington State made a nice run in the tournament and returns home from North Carolina with an experience that should help continue the building process.

For all Cougar fans, I pump my arm and enthusiastically shout...

GO COUGS!!!