Win or lose, it was a party on the Palouse.
Well Coug fans, even if it wasn’t the end result we wanted, there’s no questioning that last night’s long-anticipated matchup against Gonzaga had the energy we’ve all been yearning for this season.
From the moment the doors opened, Beasley Coliseum was packed to the rafters, and the energy in the space was palpable. If you weren’t there, just picture a full Beasley (In this economy?? I know, crazy) with students on their feet, the crowd roaring with every possession, and making sure the Zags knew exactly whose house they had walked into.
Seriously, the first few minutes of the game were like nothing I’ve felt before in Beasley Coliseum. Great energy has come through at the end of games when things get exciting, but I personally hadn’t experienced a game where it started out buzzing until last night. Every steal, every bucket, every defensive stand sent the crowd into a frenzy. Truly, Coug Nation showed up and showed out— Many thought prior to the game that there would be a relatively even split between the amount of Coug and Zag fans in attendance, but the Cougs owned the house and made it clear from the jump that we wouldn’t be outshined on the Palouse. Regardless of how the game itself went, it was one of those nights where you could feel the passion in the air—the kind of game that reminds you why being a Coug is so special.
And let’s talk about Pullman itself— IT WAS POPPING. The traffic status was at football weekend levels of congestion—maybe even worse. The Coug? Packed. Parking anywhere near the stadium? A full-blown scavenger hunt. The streets seemed to be overflowing with fans decked out in Cougar gear, hyped beyond belief. Total chaos, but in the best possible way.
The positive camaraderie among Coug fans was as strong as ever, of course, as there was a true collective pride in the air, despite a recent rough go at the season from our beloved Cougar men’s basketball team. With the added intensity of facing a storied opponent as well as a new Pac-12 rival, the vibes were invigorating, and it was clear that this was the modern first of many passionate, high-stakes matchups for years to come. My advice? Don’t sweat the record against the Zags this year— There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll be coming in hot to bring them down a notch next year.