Suddenly, Kyle Weaver found himself all alone, making his way to the locker room. He wasn’t talking to anyone, wasn’t looking at anyone, wasn’t thinking of anyone.

All Weaver was doing is smiling. Smiling like the happiest young man in the world. Smiling like a young man who had just experienced the greatest thrill of his athletic career.

“It feels like a dream right now. I’m still trying to take all this in,” Weaver said later while continuing to bask in the warm glow of Washington State’s 61-41 rout of Notre Dame on Saturday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The 26-8 Cougars advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history —the tournament involved just eight teams when WSU lost the 1941 title game. Washington State plays Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., against the winner of today’s game between top-ranked North Carolina (33-2) and unranked Arkansas (23-11).

“That’s what you play for — to play the best,” Weaver said. “If we play like that (against Notre Dame) the rest of the way, we’ll be tough.”

Notre Dame star Kyle McAlarney went a step further, saying,  “Theyre a very good team. They could go all the way.”

The 21st-ranked Cougars dominated 15th-ranked Notre Dame to a degree that even the most crimson-blooded of WSU fans could not have imagined.

Notre Dame, ranked high nationally in points, 3-pointers made and assists, hit season lows in all three categories. The Irish’s shooting percentages of 24.5 from the field and 17.6 on 3-pointers also were season lows.

The Cougars tied the school record for wins (set in 1940-41 and tied last season) by winning two NCAA Tournament games for the first time since WSU’s initial trip to the tournament in 1941.

Second-year coach Tony Bennett became the first WSU coach to win three games in NCAA tournaments.

Bennett had stressed the need to control the tempo and force the run-and-gun Irish to play a half-court game, and WSU’s execution of the game plan was most impressive.

“It started with our transition defense, no question,” Bennett said. “These guys bought in at a new level tonight playing against a very talented offensive team.”

Irish coach Mike Brey complimented the Cougars at length and said, “We didn’t have a chance. The knockout punch came early.”

A 12-0 run gave WSU a 17-7 lead midway through the first half. It was 32-19 at the break, and the Irish never came closer than seven the rest of the way before a sellout throng of 19,299 at the Pepsi Center.

Derrick Low led WSU with 18 points and a school-record 90th 3-point field goal in one season.

Weaver racked up 15 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three assists.

Robbie Cowgill added 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting, Aron Baynes had six points and 11 rebounds and Taylor Rochestie contributed six points and seven assists.

All contributed to a sterling defensive effort against a team that was averaging 81 points per game.

McAlarney led Notre Dame with 12 points. Big East Conference Player of the Year Luke Harangody was held to 10 points (he was averaging 20.7) on 3-for-17 shooting, but he grabbed 22 rebounds.

“We faced a great Washington State team — I kind of feel like I let the guys down,” Harangody said. “Just wasn’t my night.”

Extra shots

Low made just 6 of 15 shots from the field (2-for-9 on 3s), but Bennett praised Low for his aggressive play at both ends of the floor. “That’s the best I’ve seen him defensively, Bennett said. 

Low moved into 12th in WSU history with 1,274 points. Weaver climbed to 17th with 1,157. 

Low is WSU’s all-time leader in NCAA Tournament points with 62.   Weaver is WSUs all-time leader in NCAA Tournament rebounds with 28.