A fairly abbreviated postgame session for the late game, but then, it was a fairly abbreviated contest, at least in terms of how long it remained competitive: UCLA hammered Washington State with a 21-0 run in the first half to go up 25-5 and went on to win 64-53. The Cougars posed minimal resistance, but got close enough at the end that Ben Howland brought his starters back for the last 1:45. (He got a bit frosty when someone asked him about it, too.)
The two stories were that run, and UCLA's defensive effort. Naturally, Howland wanted to talk about the defense, which held Washington State to 30 percent shooting, just 20.6 percent (7 of 34) in the first half. The Cougars' trio of starting guards combined to go 5 for 29.
"I thought our guys really really came out and did a tremendous job," said Howland. "... That's definitely one of our best defensive games in quite a while, and that's what it takes to win in postseason play.
"I was really, really pleased particularly with Jrue Holiday's defense on Klay Thompson (who was 2 for 11 and had five points) and Darren (Collison)'s defense on (Taylor) Rochestie (1 for 11, 8 points)."
So why was this defensive effort so good?
"Just the mental preparation," said Howland. "I though Jrue Holiday's sense of urgency defensive was so good tonight. ... We doubled the post early, did it most of the first half. They did miss a couple of open shots, so we were fortunate there."
It was left to Collison to discuss the big start.
"I thought the team felt great today," he said. "I don't know if it was the later game or not, but I thought everybody was really in it, really enthusiastic before the game -- unlike the second time we played Washington State, our intensity was at a high level.
"We've said all along that when our intensity is at a high level, it's going to be tough to beat us."
That's a wrap for Thursday. Friday's semifinals are Arizona State-Washington at 6 p.m. and USC-UCLA at 8:30 p.m.