News Story - Idaho State Journal

A win would break a four-game losing streak for Idaho State and give third-year coach Joe O'Brien his first signature nonconference victory.

Key Matchup:

Klay Thompson vs. Kal Bay. Thompson leads the Cougars in 3-point shooting at two per game. If Bay can make more outside shots than Thompson, Idaho State will have a chance.

Three things about Washington State

-- Washington State coach Tony Bennett and O'Brien are good friends: "That's the reason we are playing Washington State," O'Brien said, "our friendship."

-- The Cougars don't have a prolific rebounder. Aron Baynes leads Washington State on the boards with six per game.

-- Washington State is coming off its first loss of the season on a neutral court against Pittsburgh. The Panthers won that game 57-43.

Happy ending if ...

Idaho State keeps the game a low-scoring affair. That shouldn't be too difficult, considering how Washington State hasn't scored more than 76 points in a game all season. But if the Bengals can hold the Cougars to around 55 points, they will be in the game late.

Sad ending if ...

Idaho State doesn't shoot at least 40 percent from the field. Washington State doesn't give up much on defense, so the shots the Bengals do take need to go in most of the time.

Bottom line:

Without Stucki in the lineup this will be a tough game for Idaho State to steal on the road. But with a good enough effort, it could be interesting late.

This document was originally published online on Tuesday, December 02, 2008

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of our paper.

mickey wrote on Dec 2, 2008 10:12 AM:

" Why is Stucki going to miss the game? "

PokyMan wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:14 PM:

" I hope Matt and family are doing well. If he becomes a dad today, it'll be better changing that first diaper than getting a diaper in the face like WSU is going to do to the Bengals. Maybe OB will pop a cork and they'll have to leave him in Pullman! Ha Ha :-) "

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