Washington State Cougars nearly picture perfect

DENVER — First, the coach showed them a picture. Before Washington State walloped its way into another historic triumph, Tony Bennett stood in the locker room with a photograph in his hand. It illustrated a second chance.

The image depicted last year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. It was taken before the Cougars' double-overtime loss to Vanderbilt in the second round. But it did not reveal defeat. It highlighted opportunity, capturing a scoreboard that read "Washington State 0, Vanderbilt 0."

What would you give for a do-over?

Bennett passed around the picture.

"Fellas, here we are," said Bennett, who got the picture from his wife. "I want everybody to take a look at this picture. You were in this spot last year before the game. Remember the thoughts going through your head? What can you do better to get us one step further? What have you learned from this experience? Show me what you have learned from this experience."

The players sat in silence. What would you give for a do-over? In those moments of reflection, their will hardened like granite.

Then the Cougars did something that still seems like an illusion. They racked Notre Dame, arguably college basketball's most efficient offensive team, battering them in ways that even an impressive stat sheet could not demonstrate. This time, in this second round, the Cougars refused to be disappointed.

And their reward proved greater than redemption. They reached an accomplishment the school had not seen in 67 years. Washington State has won multiple NCAA tournament games for the first time since 1941.

Washington State, once a hoops chump, is in the Sweet 16.

In the final three minutes of their 61-41 victory Saturday, the Cougars fans at the Pepsi Center started chanting "Sweet 16! Sweet 16! Sweet 16!" A fan held up a sign featuring a crimson shamrock that read "Cougs Make Their Own Luck."

It is true.

Crazy enough, it is true.

The way the Cougs played in these two Denver games, they are also proving to be more than a great story. They are performing like a giant, with a defense that has held opponents to 17-of-77 shooting (22 percent) over the last three halves.

They just limited Notre Dame to half of its scoring average. They made Irish standout Luke Harangody, unstoppable all season, into a flustered forward. They rushed him with one of the most aggressive double-teams you will ever see. When Harangody started expecting the doubles, they tricked him by backing away, and the Cougars big men managed to force him into wild air balls in one-on-one situations.

Despite all the attention it gave to Harangody, Washington State managed to limit the Irish shooters to only three three-pointers in 17 tries.

At the end of the first half, the Irish players and coaches were yelling at the officials, distraught over how physical the Cougars played them. Remember when it was impossible for a Pac-10 team to manhandle a Big East school?

The notion must be as outdated as the Cougars' futility.

"Man, it feels like a dream right now," guard Kyle Weaver said.

With the defensive effort against the Irish, Bennett said his team "bought in at a new level." The Cougars were nearly flawless in all defensive areas — transition defense, post defense, rotations. They even rebounded well against a much bigger team.

"We didn't yield," the coach said.

Even before Bennett's motivational tactic, the players were charged. The coach's father, Dick, who started the rebuilding effort at Washington State five years ago, gave the players some simple encouragement during the pregame.

"No fears," he said. "No regrets."

What would you give for a do-over?

Entranced with the Cougars' effort, reporters probed for answers. The players giggled.

"I don't think we have any trickery or any magic that we come out with," Weaver said. "No secret power."

He clapped his hands twice. More giggles.

Whenever you think this team has reached its peak, it raises its level of play. The Cougars are a legitimate threat to advance even deeper in this tournament. Yes, even if North Carolina wins today.

The Cougars would face their greatest challenge yet if they play the Tar Heels in Charlotte, but with the way this team is defending, they can play with anyone. They belong with the elite now.

After that Vanderbilt game, Washington State talked all year about unfinished business. Now that the Cougars have met one goal, they're looking for new business.

"I wouldn't say it's finished yet," Weaver said.

In the victorious locker room, Bennett showed that picture to his team again. He held it up, ripped it, smiled at his giddy players and kept his postgame message succinct.

"You did it."

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com. For more columns and the Extra Points blog, visit seattletimes.com/sports