Wazzu Sports

More on Demarquise Johnson

2011-11-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a new look at recent Washington State commit Demarquise Johnson. This video is from last weekend's Arizona Preps Showcase. Johnson committed to the Cougars on October 22nd.

MARTIN STADIUM RENOVATIONS

2011-10-25T23:33:00.001-07:00

Washington State University has released the new renderings for the Martin Stadium renovations. The renovations are expected to be approved by the Board of Regents within the next month.

The renovation calls for completion in two phases. The first phase will include a new press box and premium seating with construction expected to begin on November 21, 2011. The first phase is expected to be completed by August 2012, in time for the Cougars' first home game.

The second phase includes a football facility that will close off the west endzone. This is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2012 Apple Cup.

Martin Stadium renderings

Que to the Zzu

2011-10-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team today received their fourth commitment for the 2012 recruiting class.

Demarquise Johnson, a 6-5 guard, committed to the Cougars after finishing his official visits and taking a week to decide his college choice. Que based his decision on his relationship with the Cougar coaches.

"Ken Bone is a really good coach," Que said. "Curtis Allen has been like an older brother to me. Coach (Ben) Johnson is a good coach and a good guy, I talk to him a lot."

Que picked Washington State over finalists UW, Gonzaga, and Unlv. He also held offers from a slew of other schools including Virginia, Oregon State, Colorado, Arizona State, and Missouri.

Johnson joins prep teammate Richard Peters, Spokane's Brett Boese, and Oakland's Richard Longrus in the Cougars' 2012 class.

Richard Longrus Commits to WSU

2011-10-20T15:17:00.001-07:00

The Washington State Cougars received their third known commitment for the class of 2012 last night. Forward Richard Longrus, a 6-6 forward from Oakland, called and pledged Crimson.

Longrus has drawn comparisons to former WSU star, Kyle Weaver. Richard has the ability to shoot from the outside and is crafty inside the perimeter.

The Cougars are also expecting to hear from DeMarquise Johnson, the top-rated shooting guard on the west coast, on Saturday. Johnson has narrowed his choices to WSU, UW, Gonzaga, and UNLV.

The Season That Was

2011-03-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

I'll admit, when I first heard about Klay Thompson being arrested for marijuana possession, I -- like many Coug fans -- sat there in disbelief and thought that someone was playing a cruel, cruel early April Fool's joke. There was no way our golden child of Cougar basketball was busted for pot just moments after a huge win vs USC. Unfortunately, as more and more details came to light, it was ultimately determined Klay would be suspended.

I was angry, sad, furious, and did I mention angry? Sullenly, I sat at work and considered asking for the day off. I texted friends who shared my sentiment. The Cougs started the year 5-0, later losing to Butler in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic. As Pac-10 play began, however, the Cougars lost their opening games in LA -- fashion capitol of the west coast -- in typical Coug fashion. They blew a lead against UCLA, and no-showed against USC until the final two minutes of the game. The rest of the season, great games would be followed by 20 minute efforts. Players were in and out of the line-up due to injuries and suspensions.

Last year, this would've been easier for me to swallow, but not this year. The starters for this year's team are four juniors and one sophomore. With the exception of Aden, all these players have been here and played since their freshman year. All season long, I've questioned this team's leadership, and clearly, the lack of leadership has cost this team a berth in the NCAA tournament. It's been a season of highs and lows. Unfortunately, most of the highs have been off the court.

Analysis of Cougars' Season

2011-02-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

This about sums it up.

January 20 vs ASU = WIN
January 22 vs UA = LOSS
January 30 vs UW = WIN
February 3 vs UO = LOSS
February 5 vs OSU = WIN
February 10 vs STAN = LOSS
February 12 vs CAL = WIN
February 17 vs UA = LOSS

Cougars land 3-star Linebacker

2011-01-31T12:03:00.000-08:00

Cougfan has announced the Cougars have received a commitment from Darryl Paulo out of Grant Union High School in Sacramento. Paulo is rated as a 3-star prospect. He also held offers from Oregon State, Fresno State, and San Diego State among others. Expect a few more commitments in the next few days with National Signing Day on Wednesday.

Reggie Moore's Dunk

2011-01-31T11:37:00.000-08:00

Can We Get Over .500 Please?

2011-01-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

With two wins this weekend, the Cougars will be 5-3 heading into their Dec. 30 showdown against the University of Washington, a game with so much fanfare, rumor has it there will be three Butches!

The biggest news is the anticipated return of Reggie Moore to the lineup tonight against Arizona State. According to Vince Grippi, Moore practiced with the team this week and is expected to get some playing time tonight. No word yet on if he’s starting.

Keys to cooling the Sun Devils include:

1) Recognizing the Zone - Arizona State’s defensive principles differ from most teams in that ASU will start out in a 2-3, switch to a 1-3-1 and even move to a 3-2…and that’s just during one possession.

2) Zoning it up - Arizona State is an extremely streaky shooting team. Force Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks (38-percent beyond the arc) to shoot it outside.

3) Focusing, Focusing, Focusing- If the Cougs can focus on ASU and not look ahead to Arizona on Saturday, Wazzu has a great shot at being 5-3 heading into next week’s showdown against U-Dub.

The Reggie Moore Saga

2011-01-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

As many of you have heard, Cougar point guard Reggie Moore was cited last month for possession of marijuana. And has been suspended indefinitely by Coach Ken Bone. It wasn’t the amount of Mary Jane that got two Cougar Football players kicked off the team earlier in the year, but Moore's actions demand some reprimand.

Is carrying weed the worst thing a college kid could do? No, it could be much worse. Reggie’s escapades are child’s play (pun intended) compared to what’s going on in Seattle. My beef with the whole situation is how it’s being handled by Coach Ken Bone.

I just don’t understand how this incident occurred in December, was announced last week... Then wasn't dealt with UNTIL several games later.

Maybe this is the kind of situation that will bring the team together. Junior forward Abe Lodwick was quoted at the end of the Stanford game, a game the Cougs won on the road, as saying that this team is bigger than just one person.

We don’t know how long "indefinitely" is going to be, but the Cougs have three tough home games on the horizon against ASU, Arizona and Washington. WSU has shown flashes of potential, and also flashbacks to last season (when it couldn't finish games).

Wazzu might have taken the next step in becoming an NCAA tournament type team with the win over Stanford, but in order for the process to be completed, this team needs Reggie Moore to return and make solid decisions, both on and off the court.

A Look at DaVonte Lacy

2011-01-17T09:56:00.001-08:00

Here is a look at future Cougar guard DaVonte Lacy of Curtis High School. Lacy committed to the Cougars during the summer and his stock has gone up to a four star rating after recent evaluations. Here is a video of Lacy taking on Lincoln (San Diego) during the ESPN Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Lacy is matched up with UCLA commit Norman Powell for a good portion of the game.

Lacy shows good ability to knock down the mid-to-long range jumper as well as finish around the rim. Lacy and Fresno State transfer Michael Ladd could have very important roles next season if Klay Thompson elects to take his talents to the NBA.

Cougs Land Defensive Tackle From California

2011-01-16T22:12:00.000-08:00

Coach Paul Wulff has added another commit to the 2011 class as defensive tackle Brandon Tuliaupupu pledged crimson tonight. Tuliaupupu is the fourth defensive tackle from this class that Wulff expects to sign on National Letter of Intent Day (February 2nd).

Tuliaupupu is listed at 6-2, 290 which is great size for an incoming freshman. He has also been used as a linebacker and offensive guard with Claremont HS in California which gives Wulff and staff some flexibility to move him around on both sides of the ball.

Brandon's commit gives the Cougars nine defensive lineman in the class and 24 commits overall. I would expect the Cougars to possibly be on the trail for another running back, especially with Bishop Sankey still deciding between WSU and UW.

Cougs Manage Split in Bay Area

2011-01-16T21:18:00.000-08:00

Playing without sophomore Reggie Moore, who has been suspended indefinitely after being cited last month for possession of marijuana, the Cougars managed to overcome a nine point halftime deficit in a 61-58 victory over Stanford.

The Cougars, 13-5, have an important three game homestand against Arizona St, Arizona, and Washington to round out the first half of Pac-10 play.
In those games, I'd like to see Coach Bone insert Brock Motum for more minutes, at least 20 minutes per game. Motum is shooting 67-percent from the field and 46-percent from beyond the arc, but he is averaging only 14 minutes per game during Pac-10 play.

Motum does more than just score points; he spreads the defense with his long range capabilities. The Cougars went to Motum early in the second half against Cal and he provided five quick points, then found himself back on the bench, replaced by Abe Lodwick.

I understand Lodwick is a catalyst for the Cougar defense, but I don't see why both these guys can't be on the floor at the same time!

California Games

2011-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

The last time Washington State traveled to California, it didn’t quite work out the way WSU thought it would. Losses to UCLA and USC had the Cougs reeling at 0-2, but a sweep of the Oregon schools last week moved Wazzu into fifth place in the Pac-10, just a game behind second place Arizona.

Tonight, WSU faces a much less explosive Cal, 8-7, than last year’s Jerome Randle led squad (Thank God! By the way). Randle, to me, was Tajuan Porter Jr. -- a guy with Muggsy Bogues size, but Reggie Miller range. EVERY TIME we played him, he seemed to go off. (Luckily for us, he’s gone). (Rant Off).
This year’s Cal collection is led by leftovers Jorge Gutierrez (12.9 ppg) and Harper Kamp (13.1 ppg).

Keys to taming the Bears include:

1) Keeping DeAngelo Casto and Abe Lodwick out of foul trouble to battle Cal's Kamp (6'8" feet) and Sanders-Frison (6'7" feet).

2) Winning the guard battle - In games that Cal has lost this year, Jorge Gutierrez and Allen Crabbe have struggled.

3) Spreading the Wealth Offensively- 99-percent of the time, either Klay or Faisal is going to lead the Cougs in scoring, which is fine.

It’s what the other guys do that will determine Wazzu's success. Whether it be Casto, Moore, Motum (hell, even Enquist), the Cougars must find a third guy to reach double digit scoring every game if they are to be successful.

Cougs Earn First Pac-10 Win of the Season

2011-01-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Washington State, behind a 29-point performance from Klay Thompson, notched its first Pac-10 victory of the season over Oregon State 84-70.

The Cougs, 11-4, now look for revenge Saturday against Oregon (7:30 FSN). Last year on New Year's Eve, the Ducks sent the Cougs spinning into oblivion after a 91-89 double-overtime defeat. The Cougs, 10-2 before the Oregon game, lost ten of their final twelve games.

Oregon not only started Wazzu's tailspin, but ended it . The last two games of the 2010 season were defeats in Eugene, and then the opening round of the Pac-10 tournament, to Oregon.

The Ducks have won three straight against the Cougars. Fourth time's the charm?

The Oregon Schools Come to Town

2011-01-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Coach Ken Bone might not want to admit it, but if the Cougars intend to make a run at the NCAA tournament, they must win both games this weekend.

What a difference six days and three lackluster games can make. The Cougs, 10-4, seemed to have all the momentum in the world after advancing to the Diamond Head Classic final with a 77-71 victory over No. 15 Baylor. But the fatigue of six games in 14 days became apparent in the second halves of their three most-recent games against Butler, UCLA and USC. In all three games, the opponents made late scoring runs the Cougars could neither counter nor match.

Now, WSU finds itself desperate for wins against Oregon State and Oregon, needing at least a split this weekend to avoid a disastrous 0-4 conference start that would all but eliminate WSU from NCAA tournament consideration.
Oregon State, 7-6, comes into tonight’s game with a surprising pair of opening weekend victories over Arizona State and Arizona.

Keys to trapping the Beavers in tonight's game include:

1. Getting Klay Thompson involved early – If his first few shots don't go down, he tends to struggle. Thompson’s most efficient games this season have been when he converts easy buckets around the rim to start the game.

2. Getting More Bench scoring – The Cougar bench has been quieter than the patrons of the Owen Science library.

The Cougars need to do a better job of incorporating sophomore forward Brock Motum into the offense. Motum is shooting 65-percent from the field and 50-percent beyond the arc this season but has had limited touches in each of the last three games for the Cougars (perhaps part of the reason they're struggling).

3. Regaining Their Swarming Defense – The fatigue of traveling has undoubtedly taken its toll. The Cougars’ zone defense, a key to their early season success, has not been efficient lately. They are failing to close out on shooters and are often a step slow in their rotations, allowing for lots of open looks.

Since We've Been Gone

2011-01-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome back Wazzu Sports fans! It’s been a long time coming but after much consideration we’ve decided to get this thing going again. Since we’ve been gone a lot, and I do mean A LOT, has happened in the world of Cougar athletics.

The 2010 Cougar Football season came and went, and though the young Cougs struggled to a 2-10 record, Coug Nation saw the signs of progress that Paul Wulff and Co. have been talking about. Sure there was the embarrassment of fumbling the first handoff of the year (shaking head) as well as beating FCS juggernaut Montana State by one (banging head on desk), but the Cougs were competitive in almost every game, and even beat Oregon State!

There is hope for the future, Coug fans. As much as I’ve bashed Paul Wulff, I have to give credit where credit is due. He has this team believing the future is bright. The proof is how his players respond to him, week-in and week-out, with nothing to play for. For those reasons, and our relatively weak OOC schedule, I’m giddy like a school boy for September 3rd, 2011.
The 2010-11 Men’s Basketball season started out with hard fought wins over Gonzaga, Mississippi State and Baylor. Three games later the Cougs came crashing back to Earth when they struggled against Butler, UCLA and USC. Perhaps the Cougs were tired after almost three weeks on the road... Or maybe teams have figured out what it takes to beat WSU... But fear not, Coug fans, for there’s absolutely no way this team will fall like it did last year (at least for my sanity, I sure as hell hope not).Perhaps the biggest story since we last posted (and come to think of it was the last story we actually posted) is the addition of Colorado and Utah to the Pac-10. Aside from a Pac-10 title for the Cougs, this is the best thing that could’ve happened over the course of the year. The influx of cash headed toward the conference will give the WSU athletic department the necessary funds to make potential recruits realize what we as Coug fans already know -- that Pullman is the greatest place on Earth.

With all that said, I’d like to welcome everyone back to the blog. We’re still in the process of getting the band back together, but once we do it should be good times ahead for everyone. Happy New Year, fellow Cougs, and as always, Go Cougs!!

Wazzu Lucky Pac-16 Plan Imploded

2010-06-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Washington State used at least three of its cat - or Cougar - lives when Texas, the focal point of the Big-12 constellation, failed to go supernova and disband the Big-12.

A Big-12 supernova would have created a Pac-16, along with a black hole which would have swallowed up Washington State and any other struggling Pac-10 schools.

WSU athletic director Bill Moos, who played football for Washington State when it was part of the Pac-8, indirectly acknowledged WSU’s good fortune that Colorado and Utah would be the conference’s only additions.

“My philosophy is that we will play anyone in the country on a home-and-home basis,” Moos wrote during an online chat. “This allows our university to be showcased around the nation… Having said that, we only want one of those ‘marquee games’ per season.”

Pac-12 Arrives

2010-06-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Pac-10 today announced plans to become the Pac-12 in 2011.

Colorado, formerly of the Big-12, committed to join the conference less than a week ago. Today at an afternoon press conference, Utah also eloped with the Pac-10, ditching the Mountain West in search of, as ESPN put it, “sandier pastures” and greener TV deals.

The arrangement follows a failed bid for a Pac-16 Super Conference which would have added Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Colorado to the Pac-10.

The deal reportedly collapsed when Texas, doing a little two-stepping, proclaimed Monday it was staying in the Big-12, countering earlier declarations that it intended to join the conference.

Cougar Baseball Drops from Rankings

2010-04-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

There are six Pac-10 teams ranked in the top 30 and Washington State is not among them.

The Cougars, two weekends ago ranked 28th, fell from the national polls at the claws of No. 17 Arizona, which swept the Cougars last weekend in Pullman.

No. 22 Oregon State rolls into town today for a three-game series.

Head Coach Paul Wulff on 2010 Football Season

2010-04-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

Baseball Performs Mom's Weekend Miracle

2010-04-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Mom's Weekend, more commonly associated with unscrupulous moms rampaging through Pullman, this year brought another surprise as Cougar baseball defeated the No. 1 team in the nation.

This is the first time in school history the Cougars have won a series against the Sun Devils.

Winning two of three games against ASU, WSU advanced to 3-3 in conference play and into a three-way tie for third place, hopefully not earning the players too much affection from visiting moms.

Cougars Drop the Ball and Pac-10 Opener

2010-04-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

With one out to go for victory, Washington State dropped the ball, literally.

The Cougs dropped their Pac-10 opener last night to the University of Washington in Seattle on a freak two-out error to end the game.

The Cougars, who led 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, did everything they could to give this one away.

Needing just one out to end the game, WSU pitcher Adam Conley hit a Husky batter, advancing him to base.

The Huskies gained another base runner when catcher Jay Ponciano committed defensive interference, preventing the next batter from hitting a pitch.

Left fielder Brett Jacobs then dropped one of only three Husky hits the entire game, a fly ball, bringing the two Husky base runners home. UW won, 3-2.

Four Transfers From Men's Basketball Confirmed

2010-03-30T14:12:00.001-07:00

Four transfers from WSU men's basketball have been confirmed.

Monday, the athletic department announced freshman guard Xavier Thames would not be returning.

"We wish Xavier the best and hope he has a successful career wherever he transfers to," head coach Ken Bone said.

Tuesday, wsucougars.com confirmed three other players are leaving. Sophomore Mike Harthun along with freshmen John Allen and Anthony Brown have all been granted their releases. Allen was not among the original players Cougfan reported Sunday were leaving.

Thames Once X Factor for WSU, Now X PG

2010-03-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

According to Cougfan, Xavier Thames, once considered the point-guard of the future at Washington State, will not be returning next season.

Thames, the 18th ranked point-guard in his class, started just four games last season. Cougfan reported his decision Sunday.

As a true freshman, Thames played behind fellow rookie Reggie Moore. Both played point guard, but it was Moore who established himself, averaging 33 minutes per game and starting almost every contest.

Though he was just a reserve, the Cougs will surely notice Thames' absence. He distributed 38 assists and committed only 29 turnovers. His assist-to-turnover ratio was second on the team, and in losing him, the Cougs lose a proven backup point guard. WSU returns just three ball handlers, two of whom possess a combined 48 minutes of game experience.

Coach Donnie Marbut on the 2010 Cougars

2010-03-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

After a successful 2009 campaign, Washington State head baseball coach Donnie Marbut sat down with Wazzu Sports to talk about the 2010 season.

He shared his expectations and anxiety over the new clubhouse culture that's developed after the Cougars' NCAA tournament appearance last season.

Expectations Fall for Pac-10 Tournament

2010-03-09T01:37:00.000-08:00

On a three game losing streak, the WSU men's basketball squad, 16-14, enters the Pac-10 tournament seeded last, a less than satisfying finish to a season in which some prognosticators from ESPN picked the Cougs to finish first.

It was a trying season, filled with highs (Klay Thompson's temporary reign as the country's leading scorer) and lows (Thompson's subsequent slump).

On the women's side, WSU, 8-21, squares-off against last-place Arizona, which bested the Lady Cougars in both their meetings this season, in another play-in game.

The Cougar men play at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Staples Center on FSN, while the women's game, which is not televised, is at 6 p.m. the next day at USC.

Women's Basketball Makes History

2010-03-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Washington State women found themselves down 15 points early against Oregon, but thanks to an 18-6 run to end the first half and a 13-2 run to open the second half, the Cougars downed the Ducks 67-53, marking the third largest comeback in WSU history.

The WSU defense was a major factor in Friday’s win. The Cougars held the Ducks to 15 second-half points. Oregon averages more than 80 points per game.

"We’ve been denied a lot this year, but they showed they are champions," WSU head coach June Daugherty said of her players.

The Ducks had no answer for the Cougars' back-door attack. Washington State scored 26 of its 67 points inside the paint.

The Cougars improved to 8-20 overall. Washington State, 3-14 in conference, hosts Oregon State in its final home game 2 p.m. Sunday.

Moos Hire Restores Optimism

2010-03-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

WSU has named former Oregon athletic director Bill Moos the new AD.

Moss will earn $455,000 annually, which is more than the school president makes.

WSU President Dr. Elson Floyd justified such a high salary saying "it's over the average. I want it to be over the average. We are not an average institution so we don't pay at that level."

"I will never look at the program I'm responsible for as underdogs; we're not underdogs," said Moos at his introductory press conference, echoing Floyd's words. "We're not going to use the term 'Couging it.' We're going to set forth a path that leads to championships."

Koprivica Looks to Cement Legacy

2010-02-27T09:09:00.000-08:00

It wasn't long ago that senior Nikola Koprivica couldn't even get into a game without being booed by fans. But under Ken Bone's coaching, Koprivica has blossomed. He leads the Pac-10 in three-point percentage, is fourth on the Cougars in scoring and second in rebounds.

A win tonight would cement Koprivica's legacy. A victory, over the Huskies on senior night, would be Nik's eighty-sixth as a Cougar, tying him with George Hamilton as the winningest WSU basketball player of all time.

Halve-Nots: Cougars Struggle in Second Halves

2010-02-17T14:03:00.001-08:00

The Cougar men’s basketball team outscored opponents in the first half this weekend 78-52, yet managed to come home winless. The Cougars were leading Stanford by 15 and Pac-10 leader Cal by 11 at the half, but couldn’t hold on in either game to seal a victory. Both games were close late; Stanford’s Jeremy Green hit a game-winner with 4.6 seconds left to clinch a 60-58 Cardinal victory. Then on Saturday, Cal scored the final 15 points of the game, turning a one-point lead into an 86-70 rout with four minutes remaining.

Dropping both road games was crippling for the Cougars, who now sit 5-8 in conference play. This means Washington State is four games behind conference-leading Cal and in eighth place. With only five league games remaining, it appears the Cougars will need to start playing all 40 minutes, and enter the Pac-10 tournament hot in order to earn an automatic bid, likely their only ticket to the Big Dance.

Lady Cougars Host National Power

2010-02-11T11:53:00.001-08:00

On Saturday the Lady Cougars will have their hands full with the No. 2 ranked Stanford Cardinal. Stanford, 21-1, routed the Cougars 80-43 in January. Game time is set for noon.

Door Open for Pac-10 Title Push

2010-02-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

The men's basketball team, coming off an impressive blowout win Saturday, is seventh in the conference, and trailing five schools, all 6-5 and tied for second place.

Washington State, 5-5, visits last-place Stanford Thursday.

Cook'n Up Something Special

2010-02-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Watching April Cook play basketball is like walking down the Mall on an icy morning, and almost falling. You know the feeling? Cook is the future of Cougar women's basketball, and the Pac-10 recognized this when they named her the Pac-10 Player of the Week after her 33-point performance against Arizona.

Cook is only the second Lady Cougar to receive this award in more than a decade. Check out her Pac-10 Player of the Week highlight video on YouTube.

Recruit Promises Hurtlocker for Jake

2010-02-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

"I came here for one reason: to knock Jake Locker on his ass." -Wazzu recruit & JC All-American Brandon Rankin

Lady Cougars Complete Comeback

2010-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

The Lady Cougars secured their first Pac-10 win of the season on the road, 66-62, over Arizona State on Saturday.

Sophomore April Cook (left) led the Cougs with 33 points, and Washington State made major strides on defense, forcing 19 turnovers and holding the Sun Devils to 33-percent shooting.

Four Star Recruit Commits to Cougs

2010-02-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

The biggest surprise in the 2010 signing class was linebacker C.J. Mizell, a four-star linebacker who'd originally committed to Florida.

Cougars Stumble into Midseason

2010-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:00

Washington State won 10 of its first 12 games this season, but concluded the first half of its conference schedule with a near 30-point defeat to sit at 14-7 overall. For WSU, Saturday's 92-64 loss at the University of Washington played out like a microcosm of the season.

Washington State started out hot against the Huskies, taking a 14-3 lead early and led 40-36 at halftime. But just as it has in nearly all of its Pac-10 games -- WSU is 4-5 in conference -- the Cougs faltered in the second half.

Klay Thompson struggled to find his rhythm and contributed just 7 points, going 2-15 from the field, and 1-6 beyond the arc.

In the second half, the Cougs fell apart, missing their first 13 shots as the Huskies routed the Cougs, outscoring them 56-24.

Pac-10 Title a Crapshoot

2010-01-28T16:50:00.000-08:00

The Pac-10 this year is like Vegas. No matter how many games the Cougars (14-6, 4-4) lose, they still have a chance to win it all. Just like Vegas, it’s likely a false hope. A tease. Will the Cougs beat the odds? We'll find out this weekend.
Lose or win, the Cougs will either reemerge from or disappear into the Pac-10 cellar. The next three days for the Cougs, who face UW Saturday in Seattle, could be either a royal flush or a pair of deuces. It’s really a crapshoot.

Cougs Should Look to Bench for Answers

2010-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Just delude yourself: 11-2 in conference, Pac-10 champions. The Cougs are 11-2 when they score 70 or more points. Scoring seventy = victory. Get it? OK, now tell that to the coach.

The Cougs run a zone that makes the Beasley Coliseum oak flooring look like quicksand. The zone is a quagmire, not for opponents, but the Cougs, who rely upon a fast pace.

Fox Sports Network’s Michael Eaves casually asked Ken Bone about the lugubrious nature of his 2-3 during halftime of the UCLA defeat. The perceptive dulcet of the Cougar head coach took on a noticeable edge. Eaves, as unassuming as they come, had just implicitly questioned Bone's strategy.

“I just don’t think [speeding up the game] is imperative to win the game," Bone told the reporter less than 30 seconds after his Cougs totaled just 27 first-half points. “I’m fine with the tempo it’s at. But we do want to look for transition opportunities.”

As is evident from Bone’s response, right now, Washington State, a team starting four new players and learning under a novel head coach, is a team in transition. WSU scores half its points off turnovers, yet it doesn’t possess (or doesn't profess to have) the depth to run. But can it afford not to?

The problem lays in the substitution patterns. Five players play ninety percent of the minutes (the math-phobic writer calculated it). Give some other guys a chance to play, Coach Bone -- it'll develop depth. And more importantly, quicken the pace.

Wazzu can relieve its inertia, and add depth, by dropping that silly zone. A Pac-10 title and return to the NCAA tournament could be as close as the Cougar bench.

Wulff Lands 22nd Recruit

2010-01-25T22:52:00.000-08:00

According to CougFan, Paul Wulff and his coaching staff have landed defensive end Kalafitoni Pole from James Logan High School in Union City, California.

Pole has yet to be rated by Scout.com. Following his senior season in 2009, Pole was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Mission Valley Athletic League.

Check out this video of Pole. Check back later for an updated list of Paul Wulff's 2010 recruiting class. Letter of Intent Day is just two weeks away.

Women's Basketball Has a Bright Future

2010-01-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

Selling the rural campus of Washington State University could be considered by some a challenging task, but women’s assistant basketball coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Holsinger views Pullman's “unique location” as a boon.

“We have something that is very different here,” Holsinger told Wazzu Sports. “It’s not Los Angeles, it’s not Phoenix and it’s not Seattle... We sell the college town big time.”

Other Pac-10 schools, such as the University of Washington, reside in the heart of major cities, which makes them appealing to many collegiate athletes. But Katie Madison, a junior on the Cougar women's team, sees Washington State's isolation as an advantage.

“[Pullman] is such a strong community, and the focus is on the university and its athletics," she said. "There’s no other distractions like a pro team, and there is so much pride in an area like this. I love it."

According to Holsinger, the coaching staff works "really hard at finding those kinds of kids and families that love [the family environment], and when they come here, they feel at home."

The biggest challenge, he said, is getting a recruit to visit.

In her first season as WSU head coach, June Daugherty assembled the nation's sixteenth best recruiting class, and the second best incoming crew out of the Pac-10, according to Blue Star Basketball.

“Every player from our first recruiting class talked to Tony Bennett and the players [of the men‘s basketball team],” Holsinger said. “We told our recruits that if you want to come here and make this your own, and be the ones who [build a winning program]... then this is it.”

Daugherty coached the University of Washington for 11 seasons, taking the Huskies to six NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2001.

“We have highlighted June’s success as a main factor in recruiting,” Holsinger said.

For Holsinger, Daugherty, and the rest of the Coug coaches, success will be gauged by wins on the court, something the Cougs have been sorely lacking. In Daugherty's first three seasons, the Cougs have won just 24 games.

"Losing is hard," Holsinger admitted. "But we are starting to turn a corner."

Pac-10 Race Remains Wide Open

2010-01-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

After splitting road games last weekend in southern California, the Cougar men's basketball team finds itself ranked seventh in the Pac-10. There is still a lot to be optimistic about early in the season, though. Here are just a few reasons I predict the Cougs will finish the season seeded no lower than third.

Washington State’s overall record is 14-6; this matches Arizona State, the second place team in the Pac-10, and is the best winning percentage in the league.

Four of the Cougs' six losses this season have been on the road. Two of their road games were against top 20 opponents, and the other two road losses were against Pac-10 schools. This leaves the Cougs with only two home losses, with one of them being the highly controversial Oregon game. Anyway, the point I'm attempting to articulate is that the Cougs are difficult to beat at home. In a conference race this close, with only one win separating the Cougs from first-place Cal, winning home games and splitting road trips may be just the recipe for the Cougs to win the conference and extend their season into March.

Cougs Back in Pac-10 Race

2010-01-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

With its four-point victory over Stanford on Saturday, the Coug men’s basketball squad broke back into the Pac-10 picture like a runner bursting out of a Port-O-Potty on mile 25 of a marathon. Which is to say, it wasn’t pretty.

After the Cougars nearly blew a 20-point lead against the last-place Cardinal, the team still had a lot to feel good about.

The University of Washington later trounced Cal, giving WSU revenge for the Bears' 93-88 Thursday night shoot-out in Pullman (which to Cougar fans, felt more like a drive-by).

With the Huskies' victory, there are now only two post-season eligible teams ahead of WSU in the Pac-10 standings: Arizona State and Cal. Both leaders hold just a single game margin over the Cougs.

Unlikely Ally Helps Cougs

2010-01-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

On a crazy Saturday of Pac-10 basketball which saw the Cougs narrowly escape last-place Stanford and former frontrunner Oregon tie for last place, the University of Washington trounced Cal ensuring that no Pac-10 school would distance itself from the pack, at least not yet.

WSU fans should rejoice because without UW’s victory Saturday, another team would have had to knock off Cal, combined with a Cougar victory, for the Cougs to win the regular season title. Now, all the Cougs need to do is win. The Cougs control their own destiny. They play once more against both Cal and Arizona State, the top two teams with a one-game lead over Washington State.

Jockeying for Pac-10 supremacy this season has been like a game of musical chairs. With the unpredictability of the first three weeks, all ten schools could end up leading the conference at some point. Let’s just hope that after the dust settles, it’s the Cougs that are on top.

Why Losing to Oregon Could Help Cougs

2010-01-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

With no students in the stands, the atmosphere at Beasley Coliseum December 31st was deader than my grandma (who is coincidentally, also dead).

Having just won the biggest game of the Bone era -- a 72-70 overtime thriller against LSU, the previous year's SEC champs -- in front of 15,000 fans at KeyArena, it’s easy to see how WSU, playing in front of 15 fans, overlooked an Oregon team which lost 18 games last season.

What I predict for the rest of the season is an energized Washington State squad. In a tight conference race, this could be the difference between a second place-finish and a first-place finish (the later guarantees a ticket to March Madness, the first signifies a slightly larger-than-usual kegger on Greek row).

With three players -- Thompson, Casto and Moore -- who could arguably start for any team in the conference, and the prediction by one ESPN pundit that the Cougs should win it all, WSU has never had a better chance to win a Pac-10 title.

Perhaps losing to lowly Oregon may light a fire under WSU's players, and remind them just how important it is they show no mercy this season to any Pac-10 opponent. In a mediocre conference, promised a dearth of tickets to the NCAA tournament (possibly just two, with one of those promised to the automatic bid), a Ricky Bobby maxim sums up best what a second place finish during the regular season might mean for the Cougs.

As the NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby repeats at least a hundred times during Talledega Nights: "Second place is the first to lose." And in the Pac-10 this season, that may also be the case. Which is why it's fortunate Oregon, with its upset, has added a sense of urgency to the Cougs' preparations as they enter their conference schedule.

Cougs Enter Pac-10 Play

2009-12-30T14:58:00.000-08:00

Unless you've been under a rock for the past month or so, you've taken notice to the Cougs' 10-2 start to the basketball season.

Led by super sophomore Klay Thompson (third in the country with 25.0 ppg), the Cougs are proving those wrong who picked the young team to finish eighth in the Pac-10.

Who would've thought that Reggie Moore would be as great as he has been so far. Or that DeAngelo Casto would continue to develop his offensive game to match his tenacity on defense.

Now I'd be lying if I told you I had an inkling the Cougs would have the record they have so far heading into conference play, but I'm not lying when I tell you the Cougs actually have a shot to win their first Pac-10 title since the 1940-41 season. At least one guy at ESPN feels the same way.

Some may point to the Pac-10 being weaker than it has been in the past few years, but others will point to how well the Cougs have taken to new coach Ken Bone's up-tempo offense. The Cougs are averaging 80.2 ppg, while only giving up 68.4 ppg. They lead the conference in free throw percentage(73.4), field goal percentage(49.8) and shooting from three point land (42.3).

From the games that I've seen, the biggest bug-a-boo for me was how the Cougs seemed to be a terrible rebounding team. Upon further review it actually hasn't been that bad. Wazzu ranks fifth in the Pac in rebounding margin with a +5.6.

The Cougs showed they could hang with a ranked team (Gonzaga) for 30 plus minutes in a hostile environment. What remains to be seen is how these youngsters respond to having to travel to Hec Ed Pavillion, or face the likes of players like Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher. The upgrade in competition is another thing to consider. Playing San Diego and Alaska-Anchorage is one thing, but facing Pac-10 favorites Washington and Cal is another.

It's obvious the Pac-10 is down this year, but if Washington State can continue to play at the same level it's played at during its out-of-conference schedule, Coug fans can prepare for the school's third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years.

Cougar Legion Shrinking with Each Loss

2009-12-11T01:25:00.000-08:00

The Cougars, a once-proud outfit, have won three football games the past two falls.

"There's been less enthusiasm in the stands," acknowledges clone war reenactor and WSU student John Ruddy, whose alter-ego on Saturdays is the Crimson Stormtrooper, "but that doesn't keep us from showing up four hours before kickoff, and making a bunch of noise."

Whereas some fans paint their chests, and others hang effigies of the opposing team's mascot, the pre-game routine for senior computer science major John Ruddy includes donning a stormtrooper helmet, wrestling into 20 pounds of plastic body armor, and sliding into gray military pants "because stormtrooper pants were impossible."

When asked why he supports the Cougs in such dramatic fashion, in a thousand dollar outfit he bought on Amazon, Ruddy replies: "I was born a cougar, raised a cougar, and cougar pride is all I need." He says his freshman year, he considered haunting the sidelines dressed as Darth Vader, but The Legion, the costumed students he sits with (akin to Raider Nation in Oakland), already had a Crimson Vader (and you couldn't have two Darth Vaders running around).

He admits the string of Cougar football losses has hit The Legion "hard."

He estimates since 2006, The Legion – which includes one fan dressed up as Halo's Master Chief – has shrunk from "a couple dozen or so members to about half that now." This explains why the average fan-base has dwindled. During that same span, WSU Sports Information reports attendance at Martin Stadium has slid 10,000 – nearly a third of the stadium left empty.

Despite the diminished fan-base, Ruddy remains resolute in his commitment.

"You have to be hardcore and proven [to be in The Legion]," Ruddy says, quoting the group's charter when asked what motivates him. He swears he'll remain loyal, despite the Cougs' 14-24 record during his tenure. "Fair-weather fans need not apply."

A Look into the Minds of Cougar Football Fans

2009-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Cougs wheeze their way to defeat

2009-12-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

The Cougs, 74-69 losers Thursday at No. 17 Gonzaga, had the game won, up 13 points with twelve minutes remaining, when their defense went flat.

With its defense went its offense. In the first half, WSU scored nearly half (18 of 39) of its points off turnovers. In the second half, the crimson squad, in jersey and in cheek, totaled just six points off steals.

While WSU (6-1) struggled to catch its collective breath, trotting the ball up the floor like it was a team of asthmatics, Gonzaga (6-1) took away the breath (or really, throttled) everyone else in the gym with its phenomenal second half shooting. The Zags shot 62-percent in the second half after being held to just 34-percent shooting during the first half.

During the final eight minutes, the Cougs found themselves outscored 18 to 8. At one point, a Gonzaga forward drove the lane, and three WSU defenders parted like the Crimson Sea, leaving the Zag open for an uncontested lay-in.

A poor second-half showing against Gonzaga will force Cougar Coach Ken Bone to consider how to better motivate his players as they face Kansas State (6-1) on the road this Saturday.

Intramural Flag Football Begins Playoffs

2009-12-02T13:39:00.001-08:00

Undefeated Cougs Head to Spokane

2009-12-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

The 6-0 Cougars travel to McCarthey Athletic Center tonight to face a red-hot Gonzaga team.

The Cougs' undefeated record has been belittled by some who claim that Washington State has yet to face a serious opponent. After tonight, the critics will either shut up or say, "I told you so," as the Cougs take on the No. 17 Bulldogs at Gonzaga.

The Zags (5-1) suffered their only loss this season at Michigan State against the then No. 2 Spartans, and that game came down to only 4 points. Although the Zags lost three of their best players last season (Josh Heytvelt, Jeremy Pargo, and Austin Daye), the Bulldogs have proven that they are still a Top 25 team.

The Zags average 77.3 points per game, giving up 66 points. Senior guard Matt Bouldin is leading the team with 16.2 points with six rebounds per game. Steven Gray and Robert Sacre are right behind him with 15.8 and 14.3 points respectively.

The Cougs, on the other hand, are not the "Bennett Ball" team that they were last year. So far this season, the Cougars average 84.7 points per game, giving up only 65 points. Sophomore guard Klay Thompson is leading the nation in scoring with 28.3 points per game. However, true freshman Reggie Moore has certainly been doing his part with 13.5 points, and sophomore forward DeAngelo Casto is as solid as ever with 12.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

After the Cougs ran over San Diego 93-56 to win the Great Alaska Shootout, they received a few votes for a top 25 ranking. A win against Gonzaga would definitely earn them a spot. However, their challenge to stay undefeated will not end in Spokane, as the Cougs' next three opponents hold a combined 15-3 record.

The game tonight starts at 6 p.m. and will be televised on FSN.

Two Cougar Teams Are Quite Thankful

2009-11-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

The men's basketball team went 3-0 in Alaska during Thanksgiving Break to win the 2009 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. Sophomore Klay Thompson was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and scored 43 points in the championship game.

The women's volleyball team received an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA Championship Volleyball Tournament. The Cougs (18-12, 6-12 Pac-10) will face Northern Iowa (30-2) Friday Dec. 4 in Lincoln, Nebraska. This marks the first time the Cougs have competed in the NCAAs since 2002, when they reached the Elite Eight.

Preseason Tournaments Galore

2009-11-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of the year again. College basketball teams all around the country are trying to get that postseason feel. From New York to Maui, the Virgin Islands to Alaska, champions are being crowned at preseason tournaments. Washington State tries its hand at the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout starting at 8:30 p.m. (Pacific) Wednesday against host Alaska Anchorage. That game will be available on FSN Northwest and Fox College Sports.

It is the Cougars’ first appearance at the Shootout since 1981. That season the Cougars opened the season with a win at the tournament against Alaska Anchorage, before dropping the next two games. Like this season, that squad’s trip to Alaska was followed by a Dec. 2 game in Spokane against Gonzaga.

Before the much-anticipated matchup, WSU will try its hand at a field of less familiar opponents. The Cougars are 3-0 all-time against Alaska Anchorage, and Friday will be the first meeting between WSU and Nicholls State. That game will tip off at 6 p.m. (Pacific) and will also be featured on FSN Northwest and Fox College Sports.

WSU’s third opponent will be determined based on the outcomes of the first two games. Depending on their place in Pool A, Saturday the Cougars will take on the corresponding finisher in Pool B. WSU is a combined 1-3 against the three teams in Pool B, and has never met pool-favorite No. 17 Oklahoma.

The Cougars’ first games away from Pullman will offer a good way for the team to gauge its early season success. One player head coach Ken Bone is hoping the arctic won’t cool down is sophomore guard Klay Thompson. Fresh off his career-high 37 points in the last outing against IPFW, Thompson earned his first Pac-10 Player of the Week honor. Averaging 27 points a game during the first three games, the Ladera Ranch, Calif. native is fourth in the nation in scoring.

While WSU is getting its preseason tournament underway in the 49th state, Gonzaga is trying to wrap up a tournament title in the 50th. At the EA Sports Maui Invitational, the Bulldogs came from behind Monday to beat Colorado 76-72, then knocked off Wisconsin Tuesday in impressive fashion 74-61. Gonzaga will meet up with Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the championship game. The Bearcats reached the title game after upsetting No. 22 Maryland 69-57 Tuesday in the first semifinal.

Elsewhere in the Pacific-10 Conference, a number of young and inexperienced teams are trying to find their identities at tournaments across the continent. Arizona is also participating in the Maui Invitational. After a gritty loss to Wisconsin Monday, the Wildcats pulled out an overtime win against Colorado Tuesday behind 30 points from Nic Wise. They will try for fifth place at 2 p.m. Wednesday against No. 24 Vanderbilt.

Arizona State travels to the Big Apple for the final four of the NIT Preseason Tip-Off. After winning two home games earlier this month to advance to Madison Square Garden, the Sun Devils earned a date with No. 7 Duke at 6 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN2. LSU and No. 13 Connecticut are in the other semifinal.

Stanford is getting more than just a warm holiday in Cancun, Mexico. Something Cougar fans became all too familiar with during the past three seasons, Landry Fields gave Tony Bennett all he could handle Tuesday as the Cardinal knocked off Virginia 57-52. Fields’ 25-point, 13-rebound performance powered Stanford into the final of the Cancun Challenge against No. 5 Kentucky. Fields and the rest of the Cardinal will try to take down John Wall and Patrick Patterson at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in a game that can be seen on CBS College Sports.

UCLA gets to play a little closer to home as a strong field convenes on Anaheim, Calif. for the 76 Classic. The Bruins open the tournament at 10:30 p.m. Thursday against Portland. The three-day tournament features four ranked teams (No. 9 West Virginia, No. 10 Butler, No. 18 Minnesota, and No. 24 Clemson).

Oregon is hosting its own local mid-major invitational of sorts, and right now is losing. The Ducks take on Montana State Saturday, after already suffering losses to Portland and Montana.

The next Cougar home game is Dec. 9 against a very formidable Idaho team.

Cougar Basketball Moves to 2-0

2009-11-17T09:43:00.001-08:00

Although the Cougs had to work to hold the lead last night against Eastern Washington University, they ended the game with a 67-61 win that advanced them to 2-0 in the regular season.

The 94-66 win against Mississippi Valley State on Friday earned Ken Bone his first regular season victory as head coach of the Cougars, and marked the beginning of a new era with a much different feel than "Bennett Ball."

Sophomore Klay Thompson led the Cougs in scoring in both games with 24 points against the Eagles and 20 against Mississippi Valley State. Thompson struggled early against Eastern Washington, missing his first six shots, but he pulled it together as the game progressed.

Sophomore DeAngelo Casto finished the game with 16 points against the Eagles, just two points shy of his career-high (18 points) that he put up against Mississippi Valley State on Friday. True freshman Reggie Moore ended the game against Eastern Washington with 15 points.

Despite the Cougs' record, there are certainly areas for improvement. The Cougs gave up the ball 19 times against the Delta Devils on Friday, and were 21-for-50 shooting against the Eagles on Monday. Another sour spot was Thompson's free-throw shooting against Eastern Washington. He missed five of his 14 foul shots -- he only missed three total last year.

The Cougs may be 2-0, but with a close call against the Eagles, hopefully the Cougars received a wake-up call and will continue to keep the Bone era undefeated.

Soccer Headed to NCAAs

2009-11-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

The women's soccer team (13-5-2), with an at-large berth, will make its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance Friday at 5 p.m. versus the Villanova Wildcats on the University of Maryland campus.

Arizona Runs Over the Cougs

2009-11-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

After Travis Cobb returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown for the Wildcats, many WSU fans couldn't help but be reminded of last year's horrendous season. When Arizona went on to score 24 points in the first quarter alone, Coug fans may have sighed a familiar sigh.

When Jeff Tuel left the game with a knee injury, Wazzu fans probably shed a tear or two, fearing that any chance WSU had at a Pac-10 victory was lost.

This game, like almost every other game in the last two seasons, was out of reach after the first quarter. The Cougs have been outscored 136-3 in the first quarter this season, and they've failed to put up any kind of fight until the second half after it's too late. Arizona had such a comfortable lead in the first half that they put in backup quarterback Matt Scott in the second quarter. Scott rushed for 91 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per carry, while WSU as a team only managed 185 yards.

The only bright spot among many dark ones was Jared Karstetter's one-handed catch for a 64-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that prevented the Cougs from being shut out. The final score was 48-7, pushing Arizona to within half a game of first place in the conference.

Many fans believe UCLA and UW to be the only chances the Cougs have at a conference victory this season, but with Tuel questionable, and many others injured, WSU may end the season worse than last year.

What Makes WSU Special?

2009-10-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-10-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

Even though the football team lost to Cal 49-17, QB Jeff Tuel had a career day completing 28 of 42 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns. The team is beginning to show signs of improvement and with 19 players this season making their first career start, including 10 true freshman, the Cougars are giving fans lots to look forward to in the future.

The soccer team split games against the Bay Area schools, losing 2-1 to top ranked Stanford on Friday, but coming away with a 2-1 overtime victory against 23rd ranked Cal on Sunday.

Not to be outdone, the volleyball team defeated 4th ranked Washington in the Apple Cup of volleyball in four sets. Coach Andrew Palileo's squad handed the Dawgs their second loss of the year.

Big Friday in Pullman

2009-10-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

On Friday, a pair of Washington State women's teams welcome national powers to Pullman. The Cougar soccer team hosts unbeaten and unanimous No. 1 Stanford at 3 p.m. at Lower Soccer Field. And after the soccer match comes the night's marquee event with the No. 4 Washington Huskies visiting Bohler Gym for a volleyball showdown. The Huskies, 7-1 in conference, are Pac-10 leaders, but the Cougars, 15-4 overall, are enjoying a breakout season.

The volleyball match, which starts at 7 p.m., will be part of the Pac-10 Conference Breast Cancer Awareness month. During the match, players, coaches, and even Butch, the mascot, will wear pink. Fans who wear pink will receive $2 admission.

Be sure to check back with Wazzu Sports for a recap of all of this weekend's Cougar action, including the football team's trip to Berkeley.

WSU Water Polo Fights to Stay Afloat

2009-10-19T11:27:00.001-07:00

Water polo competitors must constantly tread water to stay afloat. Rules also state they can only use one hand at a time to catch the ball. It’s a little like playing tetherball while drowning.

But for the Washington State University Water Polo Club, the greatest challenge comes not from staying afloat in the pool, but in the pocketbook.

The club has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to pay UREC $800 to play in the final tournament of the season. The tournament is next weekend and if the water polo team can't come up with the money, its season will be over.

“We have dues due for our league because we’re a club sport,” Gavin Tronset, the team’s treasurer and goalie, explained. “In the past, the league allowed us to do payment plans. Pay half of it now, pay the rest of it when we can… This year, UREC decided to pay it all at once."

UREC is the liason between the Coug water polo team and the league. Tronset said UREC made the decision to withdraw from next weekend's tournament because the team was still in debt.

"We didn’t have the funding for it,” Tronset said. “They’ve put a hold on all our club activities until we pay it off.”

The water polo club has paid UREC $1,000 so far, but is still $800 short, Tronset told Wazzu Sports.

“We started out in debt, and we’re still technically in debt,” he added. “Essentially, we have to be out of debt by Tuesday.”

Washington State disbanded its water polo team last season because of debt, but the team returned to the pool this fall thanks to financial donations from friends and family of the team.

Last weekend, the Cougs hosted six teams in a round robin tournament at Gibb Pool in the Physical Education Building, and won one of four games. WSU waterpolo's return to the pool hasn’t meant an end to its financial woes.

Sympathetic Coug fans can contact Tronset at gtronset@wsu.edu.

Basketball is Almost Here!

2009-10-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

The basketball season unofficially kicks off this Friday with Midnight Mayhem, begining right after the conclusion of the women's 7 p.m. volleyball match against USC in Bohler Gym. Festivities will include a dunk contest, a scrimmage of the men's and women's teams, and a three-point shooting contest. It all starts around 9:30 p.m. in Bohler Gym.

Speaking of basketball, here's a great article by Howie Stalwick on WSU's transition from slow-paced Bennett Ball to new coach Ken Bone's up-tempo style.

Injury Bug Wipes Out Football Team

2009-10-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

Halfway through the football season, I feel unsatisfied, much like the feeling I get after visiting Pita Pit... still hungry. I want more out of WSU football, but the injury bug has decimated this football team.

Kevin Kooymen-Knee (pictured right)
Tyson Pencer-Ankle
Brian Danaher-Concussion
Steven Ayers-Ankle
BJ Guerra-MCL sprain
Daniel Simmons-Broken Leg
Zach Williams-Ankle
James Montgomery-Leg

All of these players were starters, and while the swine flu was a major concern at the beginning of the season, it appears the injury bug should have been our first concern.

ESPN Recognizes WSU Volleyball

2009-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Off to its best start since 1997, the 14-1 Washington State University volleyball team has the rest of the country taking note. The Cougars are featured on the front page of the college sports section of ESPN.com, and ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since the 2003 preseason poll. Much of the praise belongs to the team's four seniors. ESPN's Dave Reed gives them the credit they deserve in this feature article.

Wazzu Sports: CougCast

2009-09-30T13:10:00.001-07:00

As midterms approach, Coug fans give Wulff his report card:

Cougs Snag Speedster

2009-09-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Cougfan reported Robert Jiles, a wide receiver with a sub 4.5 second 40-yard dash time, had committed to the Cougars.

Jiles finished his junior year with 29 receptions for nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns.

Tuel to Start?

2009-09-28T10:04:00.001-07:00

There are reports freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel, who made his collegiate debut last week against USC, may start this weekend against Oregon.

Does Everybody Know What Time it is?

2009-09-27T21:28:00.001-07:00

TUEL TIME! That's right, true freshman Jeff Tuel made his collegiate debut Saturday against USC, and despite a 27-6 loss, the Cougars have a lot to be proud about.

USC was a 45.5 point favorite going into Saturday's game, and with the way the first quarter went it looked like the Cougars were going to see a repeat of last year's dismantling. After taking a quick 13-0 lead, the Trojans attempted an, in my opinion, unsportsmanlike onside kick and recovered the ball. They scored again and advanced their lead to 20-0.

However, in the remaining 48 minutes of the game, the Cougars held USC to just seven more points, thanks in large to two goal line stops by the Cougar defense on fourth down.

True freshman Jeff Tuel relieved redshirt sophomore Marshall Lobbestael at quarterback halfway into the second quarter. Lobbestael was 2-of-9 for only 14 yards, while Tuel stole the show (and our hearts) finishing 14-of-22 for 130 yards. Those numbers are good for a freshman in his first game, but against USC? Those numbers are spectacular. Tuel continuously moved the ball down the field, and the three-and-outs that Coug fans have grown used to were replaced by first down after first down. He's got a cannon of an arm, quick feet, and great judgment. Tuel will be the difference this season, and I can't wait to see him and the Cougars take on Locker and the Huskies in the Apple Cup.

That said, the Cougs made a few big mistakes, including a missed field goal, a missed PAT, an interception in the end zone, and a fumble that ended in a touchdown for USC. If those were successful scores and you take away that fumble, the score would be 20-17 which may have given the Cougars enough momentum to upset the Trojans. But that's just wishful thinking.

In other news, Stanford sent the Huskies crashing back to Earth on Saturday in a 34-14 victory. Washington, who beat an injured USC last week, is now 2-2 (1-1 Pac-10).

Injured Cougs Face an Angry USC

2009-09-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

The Cougs, coming off a win against Southern Methodist University last week, will play the No. 12 USC Trojans tomorrow in Los Angeles.
After a devastating 16-13 loss against an unranked University of Washington last Saturday, USC is not likely to show any mercy against the 1-2 Cougars. The Trojans were without freshman quarterback Matt Barkley and senior safety Taylor Mays in the game against UW, which ultimately lead to their defeat.

The Cougs do not have luck on their side, as they have been hampered by injuries all season. Starting running back James Montgomery is out for the season after suffering a leg injury last week against SMU. Starting right guard B.J. Guerra will be out for 4-6 weeks, starting left guard Zack Williams for at least another week, and starting defensive end Kevin Kooyman may be out for two more weeks.

On the Trojan side, Barkley, who was out with a shoulder injury, has been named the starting QB for the game tomorrow. The decision about Mays, however, has yet to be made.

Redshirt sophomore Marshall Lobbestael will be the starting quarterback for WSU, but true freshman Jeff Tuel may rotate in and make his college debut against the Trojans.

Although WSU has a bit of momentum after their win against SMU, they're facing an angry Trojans team on the road. The Cougs have a 8-56-4 all-time record against USC. Unless they get a miracle handed to them, the Cougars are likely to drop to 1-3 (0-2 Pac-10).

Revenge is so very Sweet

2009-09-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Washington State University women's soccer team roped in the University of Texas Friday, shutting down the Longhorns in a rematch of last year's first round NCAA Championships.
After blanking the Longhorns 4-0 in Austin, the Cougs continued their Texas roadshow by blasting Stephen F. Austin University 5-0 on Sunday.

That Looked Awfully Familiar

2009-09-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Now where have we seen that before?Like last year's Apple Cup, the Cougars were dominated Saturday for most of the game. Fans left early, and just when all hope was lost, the Washington State football team came out with an improbable victory.

Southern Methodist University doubled the Cougs' total in yardage, and held a 19 minute advantage in time-of-possession. But sometimes stats don't tell the whole story.

SMU (2-1) compiled over 504 yards in offense, but even though quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 424 yards, it was his four interceptions that sparked the Cougar comeback. Two of Mitchell's interceptions were returned for touchdowns, both with SMU driving, and it was his fourth interception that gave the Cougars the ball in overtime. Once the home team gained possession, it kicked a field goal, giving WSU (1-2) its first win of the year.

Anderson's Loss Symbolic

2009-09-18T19:22:00.001-07:00

I know this sounds bad, but while WSU lost a spectacular athlete in wide receiver Jeshua Anderson, who announced Wednesday he would not be playing football anymore, WSU did not lose a great football player.

Anderson, a junior, may someday become an Olympic competitor in track, but the risk of injury to be part of a one-win team made his decision a no-brainer.

During his stay with the football team - which lasted two seasons, not including this one - Anderson caught 45 passes for four scores. In the two games he played this season, he snagged just four passes.

In all fairness to Anderson, nobody scores much for the Cougars anymore. Anderson, a two time national champion in the 400-meter hurdles, never managed to translate his blazing pace to the football field, where speed has less to do with zero-to-sixty acceleration and more to do with elusiveness.

I'm sad to see Anderson leave because he just might be the greatest athlete ever to come through WSU, but his departure is more symbolic of the sinking ship WSU football has become than a crippling blow.

Other than Football, Great Weekend for WSU Athletics

2009-09-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

Amidst the blunder that was the Cougar football game Saturday, it was still a great weekend for WSU athletics.The women's volleyball team remained undefeated and women's soccer pulled out an impressive 2-1 victory Thursday over 18th ranked BYU.

Wulff’s Reign Rides Upon this Weekend

2009-09-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

The Paul Wulff era of WSU football likely rides upon the outcome of this weekend’s game against Southern Methodist University.

A win might buy Wulff more time to rebuild his reeling program. But a loss, to an opponent still recovering from the NCAA "death penalty," would all but ensure a winless second season for the beleaguered Cougar coach, and the subsequent termination of his contract.

The 2-11 squad of yester-year, Wulff's first team at WSU, was blown out by 30 or more points seven times and became so generally pitiful it even held open-tryouts for someone to play quarterback -- unheard of at a Pac-10 school -- after the first and second-string quarterbacks went down in the same game.

This season, which has begun with two blow-out losses, seems to be headed in the same direction. In both games, it was the defense that fell short, allowing an average 38.5 points per game. The offense, a more modest 16.5 points per game, will have to put up Heisman numbers to keep the Cougs in games, though it's a definite improvement from last year's squad which amassed, in one game, just seven yards rushing.

With plenty of three-and-out offensive series to come, punter Reid Forrest, who Saturday reached 5,507 career yards, ninth most in WSU history, appears to have job security. But for how much longer will Wulff be assured a position with the team?

If the Cougs don’t win this Saturday, after the season, it may be Athletic Director Jim Sterk who is doing the punting.

What to Expect Against Hawai'i

2009-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Coming off a 39-13 defeat at home against Stanford, the Washington State football team was in unusually high spirits. With Hawai'i coming to town (or should I say Seattle), revenge is on the Cougars' minds.

Last year, Hawai'i defeated WSU 24-10 in Honolulu, and with the Rainbow Warriors struggling last week against Central Arkansas, this is one of the few games in which WSU is favored.

What remains to be seen entering Saturday's game is how much playing time will be split between Cougar quarterbacks Marshall Lobbestael and Kevin Lopina. Lopina will start because last Saturday he was the leader on the field for all 13 of the Cougars' points.

The Cougar defense will be tested this week against the run-and-shoot Hawai'i offense. Last year Hawai'i quarterback Greg Alexander threw for over 300 yards against the Cougar secondary, and because of Hawai'i's pass happy offense, expect much of the same this year. Alexander also possesses the ability to make plays with this feet. He rushed 90 times last year, and in last week's 25-20 win over Central Arkansas, Alexander ran the ball 16 times.