The Washington State Cougars, led by Rihards Vavers' 21 points, pulled off a stunning 87-70 upset over the Pacific Tigers, defying the 4-point prediction in favor of Pacific. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Washington State, who had been averaging 76.6 points per game over their last 5 matches, while allowing 77 points per game, resulting in a mere 2-3 record in that stretch. In contrast, Pacific had been averaging 71.2 points per game over their last 5 matches, while allowing 69.6 points per game, outscoring their opponents by 1.6 points. The 17-point margin of victory is a reflection of Washington State's dominance, especially considering Pacific's recent form, which included a 2-3 record in their last 5 games, with losses to Saint Mary's, Santa Clara, and San Francisco. Washington State's win improves their record to 12-16, while Pacific drops to 17-12.
The game was marked by Washington State's impressive first-half performance, where they scored 51 points, compared to Pacific's 40. This 11-point lead would prove insurmountable for Pacific, as Washington State continued to apply pressure in the second half, scoring 36 points to Pacific's 30. The Cougars' top performers, including ND Okafor with 15 points and Tomas Thrastarson with 11 points and 5 rebounds, played crucial roles in securing the win. Pacific's top performers, including Elias Ralph with 16 points and Jaden Clayton with 14 points, were unable to stem the tide of Washington State's offense. The Cougars' ability to score 87 points, 11 more than their average over the last 5 games, was a key factor in their victory.
Washington State's 87-Point Outburst Marks Season High
Beyond the stat line, it's clear that Rihards Vavers was the catalyst for Washington State's victory, hitting several big shots to maintain the Cougars' lead. ND Okafor and Tomas Thrastarson also made significant contributions, with Okafor's 15 points coming at critical moments in the game. On the other hand, Pacific's Elias Ralph and Jaden Clayton struggled to find their rhythm, with Ralph's 16 points coming in spurts, and Clayton's 14 points often being overshadowed by Washington State's defensive efforts. The Cougars' ability to shut down Pacific's offense, holding them to 70 points, 1.2 points below their average over the last 5 games, was a key factor in their victory. Washington State's recent trend of allowing 77 points per game over their last 5 matches was bucked, as they held Pacific to 70 points, a reflection of their improved defensive performance.
The CHD Scout prediction, which favored Pacific by 4 points, was wildly off the mark, as Washington State's 17-point victory defied expectations.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
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The prediction model missed the mark due to Washington State's ability to adapt and overcome Pacific's defensive strategy, which had been effective in limiting opponents to 69.6 points per game over their last 5 matches. The Cougars' offense, which had been averaging 76.6 points per game over their last 5 matches, was able to exploit Pacific's weaknesses, resulting in a season-high 87 points. The model also failed to account for Pacific's recent struggles, including their 2-3 record in their last 5 games, which included losses to Saint Mary's, Santa Clara, and San Francisco. Washington State's win was not just a result of their own performance, but also a reflection of Pacific's vulnerabilities, which had been exposed in their recent losses.
The implications of this upset are significant, particularly in terms of tournament seeding. With this win, Washington State improves their NET rank from 136 to a potential seed line implications, while Pacific's NET rank of 103 takes a hit, potentially dropping them 5 spots. The Cougars' recent trend of being outscored by 0.4 points per game over their last 5 matches was bucked, as they outscored Pacific by 17 points. This victory marks a turning point for Washington State, who had been struggling to find consistency, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games. Pacific, on the other hand, must regroup and reassess their strategy, having lost 3 of their last 5 games, including this upset.
The loss is a significant blow to Pacific's tournament hopes, as they drop to 17-12 and potentially fall out of the top 100 in the NET rankings. The Tigers' recent trend of outscoring opponents by 1.6 points per game over their last 5 matches was bucked, as they were outscored by 17 points. Washington State, on the other hand, has played themselves back into the conversation, with their NET rank potentially improving to a seed line implications. The Cougars' win over Pacific, a Quad 3 opponent, marks a significant milestone in their season, and could potentially propel them into the tournament picture. With 5 games remaining in the regular season, Washington State must maintain their momentum, while Pacific must regroup and find a way to reverse their recent slide. The Cougars' ability to win a Quad 3 game, and potentially improve their NET rank, is a reflection of their growth and development over the course of the season.
The upset victory by Washington State serves as a reminder that, in college basketball, anything can happen on any given night. The Cougars' ability to defy expectations and secure a 17-point victory over a team ranked 33 spots higher in the NET rankings is a reflection of their resilience and determination. As the season enters its final stretch, Washington State want to build on this momentum, while Pacific must regroup and find a way to regain their footing. The implications of this game will be felt for weeks to come, as both teams navigate the complex landscape of college basketball. With the tournament picture beginning to take shape, Washington State's upset victory serves as a reminder that there is still much to be decided, and that any team can make a push for the postseason with a strong finish to the regular season. The Cougars' win over Pacific marks a significant turning point in their season, and potentially sets them up for a strong finish to the regular season.