Washington State Notre Dame Live Coverage

Team	1st	2nd	SCORE
NCAA East Regional - FINAL
#4 Washington State Cougars	32	29	61
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	19	22	41

Washington State Notre Dame Live Play-by-Play Coverage

Guest commentary by Crief: Typical effort by ND in a big spot, with no true point guard to control the tempo, and no consistent deep threat to open things up for Harangody, the Cougars were able to deny inside passes and frustrate the Irish where they've lived this year, in the paint. Look, not taking anything away from WSU, they played well, they will be a tough out in the next round for sure. All I'm saying is, you can't win when you shoot 24% from the floor and go 3 of 18 from downtown. My good friend Mike Francesa is fond of saying that the NCAA Tournament is all about guard play, and the Irish simply couldn't cut it in that regard today. Good luck to the Cougars the rest of the way.

Washington State holds for the final shot. Their defense was too much for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to handle. #44 Luke Harangody finishes with 22 rebounds, a career high.

#20 Jonathan Peoples makes 2 of 2 free throws

(0:25) #20 Jonathan Peoples is fouled while trying to dunk.

During Mike Brey's tenure as the coach of the Fighting Irish, 48 points is their lowest total. With a minute left, they have 39 points.

(1:38) Washington State Cougars Made 3 point shot by #10 Taylor Rochestie. Time Out Notre Dame.

(2:13) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #44 Luke Harangody

(2:29) #11 Aron Baynes makes 2 of 2 free throws.

Washington State has played a very disciplined game and Notre Dame did not have any answers. During the second half they just started taking difficult shots and trying to get the ball to #44 Luke Harangody down low.

Crief says "Way to go, Irish. Give away another one."

(2:44) #25 Kyle Weaver is double-teamed and tries to pass it off to #34 Robbie Cowgill. It hits Cowgill and goes out of bounds. The Fighting Irish gets possession.

(3:16) #2 Derrick Low steals the ball and Washington State calls a time out.

It looks like it's about over. Washington State is taking their time with every possession and Notre Dame is not contesting at this point.

(4:14) #34 Robbie Cowgill grabs an offensive rebound after a missed three-point attempt by #2 Derrick Low and gets a two point jump shot.

(5:02) #31 Rob Kurz misses a three-point attempt. #44 Luke Harangody takes a hand to the chest and he falls to the ground. The commentators call it a "great acting job". No foul is called.

(5:17) #2 Derrick Low makes an errant pass that goes out of bounds.

(5:42) #25 Kyle Weaver misses a free throw, but going the other way he makes a killer block.

(6:05) #44 Luke Harangody makes his 20th rebound but misses a 3-point attempt the other way.

During a time-out, the band is playing a brass-filled rendition of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". Applause is brief for them as the Notre Dame fans seem a little bit winded. A fan shouts "C'mon let's go!"

(6:38) Notre Dame Fighting Irish called for a travel.

(6:47) #10 Taylor Rochestie takes a 3 that is way off.

TIME OUT - Washington State Cougars

(7:17) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #44 Luke Harangody

(7:50) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #11 Aron Baynes

(8:18) Errant pass from #23 Kyle McAlarney goes out of bounds. Washington State gets the ball after the Irish's 9th turnover.

(8:31) Washington State Cougars Made 3 point shot by #2 Derrick Low

(8:55) #25 Kyle Weaver steals the ball and sends Washington State back the other way. Him and Derrick Low are looking like the MVPs.

(9:12) #25 Kyle Weaver gets fouled again and makes 1 of 2 free throws

(9:20) #25 Kyle Weaver gets fouled and makes 2 of 2 free throws. Crief says Notre Dame makes a stupid foul and they're trying to throw the game away.

(9:32) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #34 Robbie Cowgill, who has 10 points.

#2 Tory Jackson makes 2 of 2 free throws

(9:58) Foul on#2 Derrick Low

(10:08) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #34 Robbie Cowgill

#44 Luke Harangody returns to the game. He already has 17 rebounds, his career high.

Though the sides of traded shots, the second half has a much faster pace which looks to favor the Notre Dame Fighting Irish if they can stay close.

(11:26) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #31 Rob Kurz

(11:45) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #2 Derrick Low

(12:01) #23 Kyle McAlarney misses a 3-point attempt

(12:14) #20 Jonathan Peoples comes in for #44 Luke Harangody

(12:50) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #2 Derrick Low

#11 Aron Baynes misses a two-point shot. The Irish are starting to play much tighter defense and the Cougars are having a much tougher time getting good looks.

All of a sudden, the Fighting Irish are on a 9-0 run and are right back in this game. Their feet have started to move a little more and the Notre Dame players are hitting their shots.

(13:52) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 3 point shot by #23 Kyle McAlarney

(14:22) #44 Luke Harangody goes to the line after being fouled from behind. He hits 2 of 2 free throws

(14:42) #10 Taylor Rochestie makes a shot that goes in and out, then #34 Robbie Cowgill picks up a foul.

(15:07) #33 Zach Hillesland makes 2 of 2 free throws

TV TIMEOUT

(15:15) #34 Robbie Cowgill misses a two-point jumper. Notre Dame takes it the other way and gets fouled.

(15:50) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #23 Kyle McAlarney

Only a few more buckets by the Cougars until this game is out of reach for the Irish. Their problem is simple: they just aren't hitting their shots and the Cougars are taking advantage.

(16:13) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #34 Robbie Cowgill. Notre Dame takes a TIME OUT

(16:31) Foul on #31 Rob Kurz.

(16:59) #23 Kyle McAlarney tries to bank one off the glass that doesn't go.

(17:12) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #25 Kyle Weaver. Weaver is 6 of 9 shooting with 12 points.

(17:23) Foul on Notre Dame Fighting Irish

(18:05) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #25 Kyle Weaver off the glass

(18:58) Foul on #11 Aron Baynes as he runs into #44 Luke Harangody. Baynes has three fouls.

(19:36) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 3 point shot by #23 Kyle McAlarney and he's fouled. He misses the free throw.

#11 Aron Baynes misses two free throws.

(19:50) #11 Aron Baynes is fouled and goes to the line.

Second Half upcoming

HALFTIME

Notre Dame has managed to hang in there, but they don't seem to have an answer for the patient defense of the Washington State Cougars. The game looks controlled by Washington State, but they should be leading by even more, considering they've missed some high-percentage shots themselves.

(0:02) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #31 Rob Kurz

(0:11) #2 Derrick Low hits a long 3 pointer.

(0:24) TIME OUT

The Washington State Cougars have dictated the tempo the entire way. Notre Dame is used to scoring 80 points a game but the stingy Cougar defense has frustrated them thus far.

(0:50) Foul on Washington State

(1:06) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #25 Kyle Weaver

(1:29) #2 Tory Jackson gets a big offensive rebound and puts in a 2-pt shot.

#2 Derrick Low makes 2 of 2 free throws

(1:58) #2 Derrick Low steals the ball and is fouled as he's shooting. He's going to the line.

(2:19) #52 Caleb Forrest sinks a long two-pointer.

(2:38) #44 Luke Harangody misses another one. He's 2 for 8 from the field.

(3:05) #25 Kyle Weaver misses a shot. Washington State is 10 for 25.

Johnson and Elmore don't know they're on right now but they're talking about how it's just an 8-point game and the Fighting Irish aren't out of it yet.

(3:44) #23 Kyle McAlarney makes a nice move but misses the lay-up. It stays an 8-point game.

(4:06) #2 Derrick Low makes a bad pass and throws the ball away. They're giving Notre Dame a chance to stay in it.

(4:22) #25 Kyle Weaver steals the ball and gets immediately fouled.

(4:45) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #34 Robbie Cowgill

(4:55) #31 Rob Kurz makes 2 of 2 free throws.

Offensive Foul on Washington State

(5:12) #25 Kyle Weaver gets an offensive rebound and puts in a 2-pt layup.

Now Washington State has missed several consecutive shots. Foul on Washington State. #44 Luke Harangody goes to the line.

(5:35) #44 Luke Harangody makes 2 of 2 free throws

(6:18) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #44 Luke Harangody

(7:05) Foul on Notre Dame

TV TIMEOUT

(7:22) Offensive Foul on Notre Dame

(7:40) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #52 Caleb Forrest

(8:00) Notre Dame misses another shot and it goes back the other way. They're averaging just above 20% shooting.

Notre Dame tried to get it in low and was converged on by three Cougars. They're making it very difficult for the Fighting Irish. TV TIMEOUT.

(9:42) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #44 Luke Harangody

(10:15) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #25 Kyle Weaver

Notre Dame has missed 6 consecutive field goals. Great defense by Washington State.

(11:58) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #34 Robbie Cowgill

(12:08) #23 Kyle McAlarney misses a three-pointer with the shot clock running down.

The crowd chants "Let's Go, Irish" as they come back from the time out.

Washington State is on an 8-0 run and Notre Dame takes a TIME OUT. Notre Dame needs to make smarter decisions on offense. They're trying to dictate the tempo, but it looks like they're just rushing to catch up out there. Coach Brey is likely asking them to settle down and take high percentage shots.

(12:41) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #25 Kyle Weaver

Neither team shooting well right now. The Irish are taking some long range shots instead of trying to get it low on the inside.

(13:32) Foul on Notre Dame Fighting Irish

(13:54) Notre Dame Fighting Irish two point jumper is an airball

(14:13) Foul on Washington State Cougars

(14:32) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #2 Derrick Low after a steal

(14:49) #2 Derrick Low makes 2 of 2 free throws

During the TV Timeout, a Fighting Irish Leprachaun is really making a go of it, doing backflips across the floor.

TV TIMEOUT

(14:49) After a #2 Derrick Low steal, he's fouled while trying to make a lay-up.

(15:19) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #2 Derrick Low

(15:51) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #23 Kyle McAlarney

The game is tied but Washington State seems to be controlling the tempo. Notre Dame is trying to speed things up but have made a sloppy turnover already trying to rush.

(17:23) Washington State Cougars Made 2 point shot by #11 Aron Baynes

(17:53) Washington State Cougars Made 3 point shot by #10 Taylor Rochestie

(18:23) Notre Dame Fighting Irish Made 2 point shot by #23 Kyle McAlarney

(18:28) Foul on #11 Aron Baynes

A couple of clunker shots already from the Cougars.

(19:10) #2 Tory Jackson sinks a three-pointer for Notre Dame

The Cougars control the tip-off. After a missed three pointer, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish bring it back the other way.

Tip off upcoming.

After the players introductions, Gus Johnson and Len Elmore discuss the Notre Dame dominance up-front vs. the accurate shooting of Aron Baynes for the Cougars.

Washington State Notre Dame Bracket

Washington State and Notre Dame are seeded fourth and fifth, respectively. The winner of this game takes on either #9 Arkansas or, more likely, top-seeded UNC. The Washington State Cougars knocked off Winthrop 71-40 in the first round, thanks to 19 points by Aron Baynes and 10 assists by heralded guard Taylor Rochestie. The Fighting Irish didn't face a much rockier road on their way to Round 2. Their stout defense helped knock off George Mason 68-50. Both teams are coming in with confidence and with defense as their established strength.

How they Got Here

Mahalo Sports will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of the NCAA Tournament, also known as MARCH MADNESS. Game coverage is underway, and continues with every game of the tournament, right through to the National Championship. For an overview of today's action, CLICK HERE.

2008 East Region Bracket

All games airing on CBS

Washington State Notre Dame Pre-Game Analysis

The key to the Cougars-Fighting Irish match-up looks to be tempo. Washington State will undoubtedly look to keep the tempo slow and Notre Dame's top scorers frustrated. The Irish played their best defense of the season against George Mason, but they likely won't be able to compete against Washington State if the Cougars manage to slow things down and keep the ball out of the hoop. If Notre Dame can move the ball up the court quickly, they've got a group of 3-point shooters who can rack the points up quickly. Guard Kyle McAlarney is .447 from downtown and forward Luke Harangody has seen some considerable praise from his 20 points per game. The key for him is taking smart shots and keeping the turnovers low. The Cougars' leading scorer is Derrick Low, at 14 points per game. They'll need him, Kyle Weaver, and Taylor Rochestie to be patient and accurate with their shots. Despite their stigma on offense, however, the Cougars have a better average field goal percentage than the Irish. Speed and endurance will be the key factor, however. We'll likely see the tone this one takes in the first few minutes.

First Round March 20 & 21 Sites TBD			Second Round March 22 & 23 Sites TBD			Regional Semifinals March 27 Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte NC			Finals March 29 Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte NC

1	North Carolina	113
16	Mount St. Mary's	74
			1	North Carolina	108

			9	Arkansas	77
8	Indiana	72

9	Arkansas	86
						1	North Carolina	68

						4	Washington St.	47
5	Notre Dame	68

12	George Mason	50
			5	Notre Dame	41

			4	Washington St.	61
4	Washington St.	71

13	Winthrop	40
									1	North Carolina	83

									3	Louisville	73
6	Oklahoma	72

11	Saint Joseph	64
			6	Oklahoma	48

			3	Louisville	78
3	Louisville	79

14	Boise State	61
						3	Louisville	79

						2	Tennessee	60
7	Butler	81

10	South Alabama	61
			7	Butler	71

			2	Tennessee	76
2	Tennessee	72

15	American	57

Washington State Notre Dame Live Coverage

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Washington State Notre Dame Bracket

How they Got Here

2008 East Region Bracket

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