WSU Basketball: 5 Keys for Cougs to Upset Huskies in Pac-12 Tournament

Mar 3, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Royce Woolridge (22) drives to the basket agaisnt the Washington Huskies during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Some bullet points outlining how the Cougs could upset the Huskies in the opening round of Pac-12 Tournament play.

Motum Factor

Motum has played lights out over the last 2 games, including 31 vs USC. It’s pretty imperative that he score quite a bit for the Cougs to have a chance, but more importantly it’s important that he continue to hit his jumpers. If Washington’s bigs have to leave the mid-range area to guard him out there, the Cougs are in great shape.

Woolridge at the Rim

The Cougs have really benefited from the new aggressive nature of Royce as he has been extremely good finishing. When not finishing he is dishing, and it’s what the Cougs have been missing all season long. He must continue to get to the rim, regardless of what happens there.

Shelton Post Presence

D.J. has shot his fair share of threes this season and will probably throw up a few more in this one. When he’s not roaming the outside, he has to be productive in the middle of the key. When WSU switched their attack last week, his inside presence was felt not so much in the numbers that he accumulated on the boards, but rather his teammates. Shelton battled hard and really needs to be a rebounding factor in this one.

Clean the Glass

Speaking of rebounding, the Cougars have to make a team effort, especially defensively. Washington won’t miss as much as UCLA or USC did from the perimeter, but when they do, WSU has to clean that glass!

Play A Team Game

For the first time all season, we saw a team game on both ends. Very little one-on-one (unless it was Motum on a mismatch or Woolridge against the shot clock). It must continue today. Lots of passing and finding easy baskets via that wonderful new Princeton variation that I am going to start calling the “flex”-Bone O.