March 15 – In many ways, the tense atmosphere within the Rankich Club Room at Martin Stadium was suitable for a Washington State team, whose 2020-21 campaign sometimes resembled a dramatic drama rather than a college season. basketball.
As was the case with so many Pac-12 games this season – overtime battles against No. 8 UCLA, No. 7 Arizona, Oregon State and USC; not to mention a regulatory thriller with No. 5 UCLA – Selection Monday should reach its limit for the Cougars, who spent the past month resting nervously in the NCAA bubble.
But a program that waited 30 years to break its drought at NCAA tournaments did not have to wait long on Monday to find its destination. No. 9 Cougars (12-11) will face No. 8 South Florida (18-3), champion of the American Athletic Conference, in the Mercado region.
The game will start at 6:30 pm Pacific time on Sunday and will air on ESPN2.