Cougars Set to Challenge Sun Devils in Tempe Showdown
As the Washington State Cougars prepare to face off against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a riveting contest. The Cougars, coming off a mixed bag of performances, are looking to assert their dominance on the court once again.
In their last game on December 20th against Auburn's Tigers, the Cougars put up a valiant fight but fell short by seven points in a 62-69 loss. Despite this setback, there were positive takeaways from that game that could signal success in Tempe. The team showed resilience and an ability to score under pressure, rallying 21 points in the fourth quarter alone. Their free throw accuracy was impressive at 91 percent and they managed an effective field goal percentage of 45 percent.
However, turnovers were a glaring issue for WSU as they racked up 20 throughout that game which translated into valuable points for Auburn. To come out on top against ASU, it is crucial that WSU tightens up their ball handling and reduces these costly errors.
Looking back further into their season provides even more reason for optimism among Cougar fans. On December 17th against Houston's Cougars (HOU), WSU displayed what can only be described as offensive fireworks with an astounding victory of 95-48. Dominating every quarter and showcasing an incredible shooting performance with both two-pointers (64 percent) and three-pointers (47 percent), WSU proved they have the firepower when they're firing on all cylinders.
Defensively speaking, there's room for improvement based on their recent games – particularly when it comes to rebounding where they've been outperformed by opponents like HOU who grabbed more offensive rebounds despite losing heavily.
The upcoming match-up will not be without its challenges; ASU is known for its tenacity and will certainly look to exploit any weaknesses shown by WSU thus far. But if history has taught us anything about this Washington State team, it’s that they have the grit and talent necessary to overcome adversity.
Fans should mark their calendars for February 18th at 7:00 PM local time when these two teams clash at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona. It's set to be an enthralling encounter between two competitive sides eager to leave everything on the court. For those unable to attend in person, make sure not miss any action by tuning into live coverage available through official sports networks or streaming platforms.