The gloves are off now.

This four-year paying Dawg Pack member (yes, I paid for this year) has bottled up his emotions for too long.

Too often I’d sit on media row, watching some thrilling victories in the guise of an unbiased member of the media. If only they knew that it was just last season I was in the middle of the student section cheering with the best of ‘em.

I even painted my body purple for a game.

So if you have issues with the slanted coverage, blame The Daily; they hired me.

We simply saw the better team win last night. Like they have all season against Washington and the past five times the two have played.

As much as I ascribe to the rivalry we have, the Cougars have a great basketball team.

In the end, it’s almost fitting that the most disappointing season in recent memory ends at the hands of the Cougs. Like a bad poem, a WSU team not expected to do anything in the conference, let alone nationally, ends the season of its in-state rival, loaded with All-Americans and NBA prospects.

I say the season ends even though an NIT bid likely awaits. For a program with high expectations it simply isn’t enough.

It is simply Washington State’s year.

Only on a team like WSU could a player like Taylor Rochestie seem unstoppable.

With great fundamentals, suffocating defense and that winning edge that allows things to go its way, the Cougars’ magical season continues. And as a fan of the game and supporter of our conference, I wish them well in the NCAAs.

Oregon, on the other hand — now that’s a different story.

The Cougars, however, only have two players from the state of Washington on their roster and neither of ‘em play. Funny how a team that will never be a representation of our state is the best we have to offer.

But again the Huskies’ best wasn’t enough.

I guess Cal had already claimed the upset of the night; there would be no room for two.

In the effort, it was good to see the Huskies compete even though Hawes and Brockman weren’t at their best. Guys like Artem Wallace and Quincy Pondexter each had praiseworthy performances.

I just hope the Dawgs don’t get a home game in the NIT. The young team could use more experience on the road, and I have already said my goodbyes to Hec Ed.

Simply put, if the Huskies couldn’t win this one, I wouldn’t want them in the Dance.

We had the Sports Illustrated cover and the top-10 rankings, but the team never produced on the court when it mattered. An 0-3 conference start turned into 1-6, and everything in the men’s basketball world we had become accustomed to got turned on its head.

It’s been frustrating for sure, but it’s seasons like these that make college basketball great.

And who knows? One win in the NIT gives Washington a 20-win season. I certainly never thought a 20-win year here could be considered a disappointment.

So yes fans, the dream is over. Selection Sunday will be nothing special around here and our mock brackets won’t have pipe dreams of the Huskies cutting down the nets in the Final Four.

But the combined cheers and groans, victory and disappointment, proved that Washington basketball is becoming something special.

In Romar We Trust.

Reach columnist Joshua Mayers at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.