We're really maturing as a team, we know how good we can be. When it comes to ranked teams, (we) need every advantage we can get and they (coaches) have done a great job of preparing us for these games.

And I know how other teams view rankings. When you're ranked above them and they think they should be there, they use that to come out on fire.

Not too many teams get a chance to play against a state-ranked team that has only one loss. We look forward to that challenge. They're a fantastic team. I just hope it will be close so we have a chance at the end.

We can't overpower teams. But this team is a little smarter, a little more selective. It has to be.

If you look at the better teams in the league when they get a team down they finish out the game. That's kind of what separates us from those teams right now is playing 48-minute games.

Washington State is a team that should be ranked and is very good. We had a tough battle with them last year and I expect the same this year. They have a tough No. 1 who is ranked very high nationally and they also have some big hitters down the line-up.