Exit 164: Big Five Help Dawgs Survive Klay

Small Rotation Gives Dawgs Big Win: He was kinda forced into it, but, like an NBA coach, Lorenzo Romar shortened his rotation for the postseason. It paid off. All five starters scored in double figures, including Terrance Ross, who got 17 in his first career start. Isaiah Thomas and Justin Holiday both had double-doubles, and C.J. Wilcox hit two clutch threes down the stretch as the Dawgs’ clinched their NCAA tourney bid and ended Wazzu’s NCAA tourney hopes. Sweet! This despite a legendary performance by Klay Thompson, who set a new Pac-10 tourney record with 43 points. See what happens when you get clean and sober, kids?

Friday Morning Quarterbacking for Romar #1: How is Terrance Ross not deserving of a single minute against USC, but starts the next game against Wazzu?

Friday Morning Quarterbacking for Romar #2: Yesterday, you fouled leading by three with under five seconds to play to force Wazzu to the line. Smart. And five years too late.

Now Huskies Face Ducks in Semis: The Dawgs got a bit of a break as Oregon blew out UCLA in the other quarterfinal. We’ll see how the Huskies’ legs are after pressing Wazzu for much of the second half. Game’s at 8:40 or so.

What they’re saying…

“Isaiah got us going (in the second half). He just pressured the ball and we got a five-second count really early and we began to press them. Everyone kind of followed his lead on the defensive end.” — Lorenzo Romar

“That was my first 40-minute game. I was kind of happy.” — Isaiah Thomas

“Health-wise and stuff-wise I feel like before.” — Erik Bedard

In other news…

M’s prospect Alex Liddi hit a grand slam for the second consecutive day in the M’s 10-5 win over the Angels.

Once (and future?) M’s ace Erik Bedard started and allowed 1 run in 2.2 IP. The Erik Bedard Threat Level remains at elevated.

The Seattle U Redhawks lost 81-71 to Portland State, ending their season at 11-20.

UW running back Johri Fogerson is indefinitely suspended after being charged with resisting arrest and marijuana possession.

The next seven days in Seattle sports…

Today, March 11
Baseball: Mariners @ Cleveland, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Pac-10 Men’s Hoops Semifinal: Huskies vs Oregon, 8:40 p.m. (FSN)

Saturday, March 12
Baseball: Mariners vs. Oakland, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Pac-10 Men’s Hoops Final: UW/Oregon winner vs. Arizona/USC winner, 3:10 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, March 13
Baseball: Mariners @ LA Angels, 1:05 p.m. (710-AM)
NCAA Tourney Selection Show, 3 p.m. (CBS-7)

Monday, March 14
Baseball: Mariners vs. Cubs, 1:05 p.m. (No local radio, check MLB.com for other feeds)

Tuesday, March 15
Soccer: Sounders vs. Galaxy @ Qwest Field, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday, March 16
Baseball: Mariners vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m. (FSN)

Thursday, March 17
NCAA Tournament First Round: ALL DAMN DAY WOOOOO! (CBS, TNT, TBS, truTV)
Baseball: Mariners @ Kansas City, 6:05 p.m. (710-AM)