Preview WSU at UW

Washington State Cougars (17-10, 7-7) at Washington Huskies (19-8, 11-5)

Stars: G Klay Thompson and F DeAngelo Casto

Location: Seattle, WA (Alaska Airlines Arena formerly HEC Ed)

Time: 7:00 PM (PDT)

TV: FSN NW

Radio: 950 AM

Matchup: This cross-state rivalry always has a lot of emotion behind it and around it. This year is no exception- just a few weeks ago UW traveled to Pullman only to not mentally show up for the game and basically hand the game over to WSU. The crowd at WSU was so fired up about beating UW that they stormed the court. This was embarrassing for the Pac-10 and the country as shortly after, many articles came out about when and why you should storm the court.

Isaiah Thomas mentioned that he hasn’t forgot that they stormed the court and that when UW beats WSU on their home court he knows the Husky students and fans are smarter than to storm the court and not look foolish.

This game is a catalyst for both teams as they meet today, UW has a shot at a share of the PAC-10 title if they can continue to win. While the Cougars are looking to snap a losing streak as they have lost the last two, one being to Arizona State, the last team in the Pac-10. Even before their last two losses down in the desert, WSU wasn’t able to string together more than one win at a time. Their last winning streak of more than two games hasn’t been since december and their last one of just two wins was over a month ago.

With all of the energy in the building, the Huskies need to ride the wave of the rivalry and come out on top. They need to find a way to shut Casto and Thompson down, and get their big guys, like Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Aziz N’Diaye the ball inside.

Look for Isaiah Thomas to put this game on his back as he begins to once again really become the leader of this offense and more importantly of this team.

The Huskies should be able to beat the cougars, and should storm the parking lot to their car because that is how you show a rival that the win was normal and you are the better program.