First of all, lets be clear… this is a rivalry game. Both programs are re-born after a long hiatus in the college basketball region of suckiness, but back in the day we were both producing competitive teams, and we had some heated showdowns. In addition this game has been played for the last 105 years, well over 200 games, so it is one of the longest running, most played rivalries in all the land.
And finally, the game is meaningful to both teams this year, in a way it hasn’t been in a long, long time. As things stand now, both the Cougs and Vandals look to be Dark Horse candidates in their respective conferences. A game like this may be crucial resume-building material if either find themselves on or near the NCAA bubble come March. I, for one, am worried. Very worried.
Here are some reasons why:
Three-point defense – The Cougs have not shown an ability to defend the perimeter consistently, allowing sharp shooters like Matt Bouldin of the Zags and Denis Clemente of Kansas State, to get WIDE open looks over and over again. Most concerning to me is that these looks came late in the game when most teams ratchet up the defensive intensity. Instead, ours seems to fade. The results….we nearly lose to Eastern, blow a big lead to Gonzaga, and don’t really come close to making a run on K-State’s huge early lead.
Motivation – The Vandals have the edge here, and it’s not really that close. Idaho will be bringing a veteran-led squad into Beasley tonight smelling their best chance to beat the Cougars. This includes senior point guard Mac Hopson, who of course, used to play for the Cougs. Hopson transferred once he found himself buried on the roster behind Steven Sauls and some guy named Taylor Rochestie.
Mac is a baller, and he’ll be going head-to-head with a true freshman. Advantage, Vandals.
Klay Factor – Although some point to the Gonzaga game as evidence to the contrary, I would argue that losing that game is proof that as Klay goes, so go the Cougs. Any time you give a team one thing to key on it makes it so much easier for them to beat you. As Bone stated in his press conference, the Cougs do not have all the sets in their motion offense in play yet, meaning they don’t have all the ways to get Klay open shots that they’d like. The last couple of games this element has showed itself, and Klay has looked, well… human.
The blueprint is there for Idaho coach Verlin to build his game plan around, so expect the Vandals to go out of their way to make things difficult for Klay tonight. Of course, if anyone in the country is due to have a big game, it may be Mr. Thompson.
Now it’s not all doom and gloom for the Cougs. On the road this year the Vandals have been inconsistent at best. Sometimes great (Utah), sometimes miserable (Texas Southern). But this game is in a familiar environment against familiar players just a hop skip and jump from their cozy dorm rooms. Still, after back to back games in hostile settings one would hope the home cookin’ at Beasley will be what the Cougs need to get back on track.
Furthermore I think it’s fair to say the Cougs will have a better athlete on the floor at almost every position throughout tonight’s game (one glaring exception will be any time Casto is on the bench and Marvin Jefferson is working against Enquist, yikes!).
In the end I think there will be long stretches of play where the Vandals look to be the ones in control, especially in the first half. But eventually the Zzu Cru, some wily halftime adjustments by Bone, and the re-emergence of Klay Thompson will put the Cougs over the top. Break out the Malox!
Cougs 83, Vandals 79
Of course I’ll be in the cheap seats and, my mood permitting, will check in afterwards to report on what went down.
Enjoy the game and GO COUGS!
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