Tourney Time: Cougs Round 2

They Couged it! The magical season has come to an end. Eight minutes into the second half WSU held the lead at 51-43. They seemed poised to lock down the clamps on Vanderbilt's offense and breeze into the sweet 16. Unfortunately, Southeastern Conference player of the year, Derrick Byars didn't get the memo. With defensive specialist Kyle Weaver guarding him, Byars hit three long range buckets in next six possesions to give Vandy the lead at 52-51. That began the monumental collapse. Weaver had turnovers on three of the next four possesions and finished the game with a season high eight turns. The Seattle Times reported it like this:

"The second (turnover) was a killer, out on top, where Foster picked it, raced the floor and dunked to make it 75-71, Vanderbilt. Then Weaver forced a jumper and finally, Bennett pulled him out of the game.

Maybe he was simply bushed, after 48 grueling minutes. He hinted at that, saying, "I was trying to get guys open shots, I tried to penetrate, and defensively, I was chasing Byars around as well. It was tough."

Excuses. Excuses. Weaver was named to the First Team All-Pac 10 squad this year. He's expected to step up and lead the Cougs. The way he played in the second half, he couldn't even lead a team at my local YMCA. Thirty plus games this year and now he gets tired? Bull shit. He played terrible and should be man enough to take responsibility.