The Cougars' basketball journey is about to get intense! With 33 games ahead, the WSU men's basketball team is gearing up for a thrilling season.
But here's the challenge: Can they improve on their previous performance? Last season, the Cougs ranked 6th in the WCC with an 8-10 conference record and a 19-15 overall score. Now, they're ready to take on the court again, starting with an exhibition game against New Mexico on Oct. 25, followed by the official season opener against Idaho Vandals on Nov. 3 at Beasley Coliseum.
Let's break down their conference schedule:
Dec. 28: @ Portland - The Cougs dominated Portland last season with a 92-70 victory. Portland finished 8th in the conference with a 7-11 record. Get ready for a rematch on Jan. 27!
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Jan. 2: vs. LMU - Loyola Marymount University, ranked 7th last season, will visit Beasley Coliseum. The Cougs won 73-59 last time. Mark your calendars for the second matchup on Feb. 24 or 26.
Jan. 4: vs. Oregon State - The 5th-ranked Oregon State Beavers from last season will be a tough opponent. They beat the Cougs 82-74, and the rematch is set for Feb. 3 or 5.
Jan. 10: @ Saint Mary's - Saint Mary's, the top team in the conference last year, swept the Cougs. They'll meet again on Feb. 21 or 22, aiming for a different outcome.
Jan. 13: vs. Gonzaga - Gonzaga, the 2nd-place finisher, also beat the Cougs twice last season. The Bulldogs will be back for more on Feb. 10 or 12.
Jan. 17: @ San Francisco - San Francisco, 3rd in the conference, lost their first matchup last year but won the second. The Cougs were eliminated from the postseason after a tough loss in the WCC tournament.
Jan. 20: @ San Diego - San Diego, ranked 11th, couldn't stop the Cougs last season, losing both games.
Jan. 24: vs. Pepperdine - Pepperdine, 9th in the conference, will try to redeem themselves after two losses last year. The final regular-season game will be a rematch on Feb. 28 or March 1.
And now, meet the talented contributors behind this article: Hailee Speir, a junior English education major and photographer; Brandon Willman, a WSU alumnus and former editor-in-chief of The Daily Evergreen; Sydney Reid, a first-year broadcast production major and photographer; and Connor, a senior Broadcast News student and digital managing editor. They bring their unique skills and passion to deliver the best sports coverage.
What are your predictions for the Cougs' upcoming season? Do you think they can climb the rankings and make a deeper postseason run? Share your thoughts and let's discuss!
