That was a depressing day

I’m pretty sure I don’t have the heart to write anything about the game until tomorrow — kind of like the Seahawks defense didn’t have the heart to stop anything the Packers did today. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Well, that was rough

I’ll have a full post on the game later tonight or tomorrow. I have lots of thoughts. Until then, the Seahawks will have my undivided attention.

GAME THREAD: No. 4 WSU (14-0, 2-0) at No. 5 UCLA (15-1, 3-0)

Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles), 11:30 a.m. PT
TV: FSN

I could spend a whole bunch of words here analyzing this matchup, but let’s be honest: We all know a lot about these two teams and anything I would have to say would more or less be overkill.

The Cougs are good. The Bruins are good. They both are veteran squads — the Cougs a little more veteran — who play a similar style of basketball.

You’ll probably hear a lot of metaphors today in reference to this game, things like it’ll be a “grind,” or it will be like a 15-round heavyweight fight where each is a little bit punchy in the end. Cliche as they are, they’re going to be apt. The Bruins have won the last four by a combined eight points, and all of the contests have been slugfests.

I’d like to give you some kind of keys to the game, or single out some matchups that will give you some glimpse into which team has a better chance to win the game. Yes, the Cougs will need to stop penetration and kick-outs by Darren Collison — who is probable for the game.

But to be honest, when talking about two complete teams such as these, trying to nail down a couple of keys for either just seems far too trite. That’s like trying to analyze the Mona Lisa by picking apart the look of the nose. Instead, just sit back at take in the beauty of the whole. Watch the chess match between two superb teams led by two superb coaches. Enjoy watching the game unfold, because there’s no way we’re not talking about this one until Feb. 7, when the Bruins make their return trip to Pullman.

And revel in the fact that our team — the Washington State University Cougars — is at the center of the college basketball world for one day. We might never get to say that again.

Or maybe we will?