Defying preseason expectations, the Washington State Cougars have emerged as the team to beat in the Pac-12, surging to the top of the conference standings in a remarkable turnaround under Coach Kyle Smith. Selected a modest 10th in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, the Cougars faced the daunting task of replacing their four leading scorers from the previous season, notably center Mouhamed Gueye and guard TJ Bamba.
Yet, Smith, now in his fourth season with the Cougars, masterfully orchestrated a resurgence, building a formidable squad anchored by Idaho transfer forward Isaac Jones and junior forward Jaylen Wells, a transfer from Sonoma State. With an overall record of 21-6 and an impressive 12-4 in conference play, the Cougars find themselves atop the Pac-12 standings with just four regular-season games remaining. Their latest triumph, a hard-fought 77-74 victory against the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats (20-6, 11-4 Pac-12) on the road, solidified their grip on the conference lead.
Photo Cred: Coug Center
Thursday’s win propelled the Cougars past the Wildcats, with whom they were previously tied, marking a significant milestone in their remarkable journey this season. The victory not only underscored their prowess on the court but also affirmed their newfound status as contenders in the fiercely competitive Pac-12. Earlier in the week, the Cougars received recognition in the AP poll, securing the No. 21 spot for the first time since the 2008-09 season, ending a 302-week drought according to the AP.
Despite this accolade, doubts lingered regarding their ability to compete at the highest level, with many still regarding them as inferior to the Wildcats. However, fueled by a seven-game winning streak, the Cougars demonstrated their mettle against Arizona, defying the odds as 13.5-point underdogs. By dictating the tempo of the game and stifling the Wildcats’ high-octane offense, which typically averages 90.0 points per game.
The Cougars showcased their defensive prowess, limiting their opponents to just 74 points and a dismal 5-18 from beyond the arc. Key performances from Wells, who tallied 27 points including crucial three-pointers, and Jones, who contributed 16 points along with stellar rebounds and assists, propelled the Cougars to victory. With a comprehensive sweep of the Wildcats for the first time since the 2009-10 season, the Cougars now hold a significant tiebreaker advantage in the conference race.
Photo Cred: Field Level Media
Looking ahead, the Cougars remain poised to clinch the Pac-12 regular-season title, a feat they haven’t achieved since the 1940-41 season. Bolstered by a formidable defensive unit that allows just 66.8 points per game and holds opponents to 41 percent shooting from the field, coupled with the emergence of freshman guard Myles Rice, recipient of four consecutive Pac-12 Freshman of the Week awards, the Cougars are primed for success as they set their sights on the NCAA tournament.
Coach Smith’s strategic retooling through the transfer portal has paid dividends, propelling the Cougars to the brink of their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2008-09. With their sights set on securing a favorable tournament seed, the Cougars possess the depth, talent, and resilience to make a compelling run in March, further solidifying their status as one of college basketball’s most captivating stories of the season.
