Media Roundup: Dec. 31 (Part II)

• SportsLink provides a game advance for Saturday's men's basketball matchup between Washington State University and the University of Washington.
• The San Francisco Chronicle previews the Pac-10 Conference and picks the Cougars to finish seventh.
• The Arizona Republic quotes WSU coach Tony Bennett on the strength of the Pac-10 in a conference overview.
• CougCenter offers commentary on the importance of getting to the free throw line.

Media Roundup: Dec. 31

• The Seattle P-I includes a Washington State University men's basketball notebook and reports 1,300 tickets are left for Saturday's game with the University of Washington.
• CougFan.com previews the Cougars' upcoming matchup with the Huskies.
• CougCenter recaps WSU coach Tony Bennett's weekly radio show.

Media Roundup: Dec. 30 (Part II)

• SportsLink summarizes the main discussion points from Washington State University men's basketball coach Tony Bennett's teleconference this morning. Bennett praised the senior class members' leadership off the floor and at practice but said they need to step up and execute better during games.
• The Seattle P-I reports Washington freshman guard Elston Turner is doubtful for the opener at WSU this weekend after suffering a serious ankle injury in the Huskies' 81-67 win over Morgan State.
• CougCenter reflects on the state of the Cougars as the prepare to begin Pac-10 play.
• The Oklahoman provides quotes from Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks about former WSU guard Kyle Weaver. Brooks said Weaver is a smart player who picks things up quickly and is learning that the NBA is a physical league.

Media Roundup: Dec. 30

• The Seattle Times reports former Washington State University men's basketball standout Mark Hendrickson has reached agreement on a contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
• Former Cougar guard Kyle Weaver contributed three points, two assists, and a rebound in over 16 minutes of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Phoenix Suns 110-102 on Monday night.

Media Roundup: Dec. 29

• FoxSports.com provides an updated report for the Washington State University men's basketball team.
• CougCenter breaks down the Cougars' performance against Louisiana State University.
• Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks tells The Oklahoman that a recent increase in playing time is former WSU guard Kyle Weaver's reward for working hard every day in practice. A separate piece in The Oklahoman notes Weaver is proving he's ready for reserve minutes by making smart plays and limiting his mistakes.

Official stats from Cougar game updated

The Crimson ZZU provides an updated box score for Washington State University's 64-52 loss to Louisiana State University. LSU's official scorer incorrectly credited the Cougars' Taylor Rochestie with Klay Thompson's score at the 7:30 mark of the first half. As a result WSU's leading scorer in yesterday's game was actually Thompson with 14 points.

Media Roundup: Dec. 28

• The News Tribune provides a game recap of Washington State University's 64-52 loss to Louisiana State University.
• SportsLink offers some thoughts on yesterday's game and what the Cougars need to do to get better.
• Rivals.com reports WSU is recruiting Bellevue's Aaron Bright and compares the 5-foot-10 guard's game to former Cougar standout Derrick Low.

Media Roundup: Dec. 27 (Part II)

• Coverage of Washington State University's 64-52 loss to Louisiana State University is available from The Crimson ZZU, CougFan.com, CougZone.com, and The Advocate.
• Former Cougar guard Kyle Weaver contributed four points, three rebounds, and an assist in a little over 15 minutes of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Washington Wizards 104-95 on Saturday night.

WSU unable to hold off LSU in 64-52 loss

After leading by seven points midway through the second half, the Washington State University men's basketball team was outscored 24-5 as Lousiana State University rallied for a 64-52 win on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

Freshman guard Klay Thompson led all Cougar scorers with 14 points.

The official WSU athletics site has a game recap and boxscore. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink and The Seattle Times.

Media Roundup: Dec. 27

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Louisiana State University are available from The News Tribune, The Shreveport Times, and The Advocate.
• Pregame notes about the Cougars' final nonconference game of the season are available from SportsLink and Tiger Sports Digest.
• CougCenter provides an open game thread for WSU's tangle with the Tigers.

Media Roundup: Dec. 26

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Louisiana State University are available from SportsLink, The Seattle P-I, CougCenter, and the official Tigers athletics site.
• Redshirt freshman forward Charlie Enquist provides insight about how some of the Cougars spent their Christmas in an entry on The Crimson ZZU.
• CBSSports.com Senior Writer Gary Parrish highlights WSU's upcoming game at LSU.
• Former Cougar guard Kyle Weaver tallied two points, a rebound, and an assist in just over 12 1/2 minutes of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Detroit Pistons 90-88 on Friday night. The game marked Weaver's first appearance since Dec. 14.

Media Roundup: Dec. 25 (Part II)

• The Crimson ZZU reports the Washington State University men's basketball team arrived safely in Baton Rouge this afternoon and enjoyed Christmas dinner at their hotel restaurant.
• The official Cougar athletics site provides a game advance for Saturday's matchup with Louisiana State University.
• CougFan.com checks with players on the WSU roster about differences between international and American basketball.
• The Sporting News selects the Cougars as the dark horse in the Pac-10 Conference.

Media Roundup: Dec. 25

• The Olympian features Washington State University men's basketball guard Nikola Koprivica.
• The Crimson ZZU checks in from the Cougars' team practice on Christmas Eve and reports the team worked on rebounding and taking care of the ball, in order to prepare for Lousiana State University, which lead the nation in rebounding margin.
• The Seattle Times profiles Tigers coach Trent Johnson in a game advance for Saturday's matchup between LSU and WSU.

Merry Christmas from CougHoops.com

Merry Christmas, everyone -- hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday!

Media Roundup: Dec. 24

• ESPN.com's Andy Katz previews the Pac-10 Conference and writes the Washington State University men's basketball team desperately needs to beat LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday for a nonconference win that will stand out in March.
• The Register-Guard reports the Cougars needed two hours to travel the 10 miles back to Pullman following the team's game at Idaho on Sunday night.

Media Roundup: Dec. 23

• CougFan.com has a game advance for Washington State University's men's basketball game at Louisiana State University.
• The official LSU website provides quotes from coach Trent Johnson about Saturday's matchup with the Cougars. The former Stanford coach says he considers WSU one of the best defensive teams in the country and he expects a very physical game.
• CougCenter offers a commentary on getting senior WSU center Aron Baynes more touches on offense.

Media Roundup: Dec. 22 (Part II)

• SportsLink features former Washington State University men's basketball standout Aaron Haskins.
• Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News selects the Cougars' game at LSU as one of five things to watch in college basketball this week.
• CougCenter recaps WSU's win over Idaho.

CougHoops.com Fan Poll Results: Dec. 22

Which player has shown the most improvement from last year?

Results: 73 votes
Aron Baynes, 29 votes (39%)
Caleb Forrest, 21 votes (28%)
Nikola Koprivica, 21 votes (28%)
Taylor Rochestie, 2 votes (2%)

Media Roundup: Dec. 22

• SportsLink shares thoughts on Washington State University's men's basketball win over Idaho and reports the Cougars are waiting until today to decide whether the player who are scheduled to travel will be able to head out for the holiday.
• Recaps of WSU's win last night are available from The Seattle Times, The Crimson ZZU, CougFan.com, and CougZone.com.

Cougars vanquish Vandals, 55-41

Senior center Aron Baynes had nine rebounds and 18 points to help lead the Washington State University men's basketball team to a 55-41 win over the University of Idaho Sunday night in Moscow.

The Vandals pulled within one point at 39-38 with 11 minutes to go in the game, but the Cougars proceeded to go on a 10-0 run to take a commanding 49-38 lead.

The official WSU athletics site has a game recap, box score, and photo gallery. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink and The Seattle P-I.

Media Roundup: Dec. 21

• SportsLink provides a few thoughts on tonight's men's basketball game between Washington State University and the University of Idaho.
• CougFan.com features a game advance for the Cougars' border battle with the Vandals
• CougCenter offers a game thread for tonight's matchup.

Media Roundup: Dec. 20

• Sportslink features former Washington State University and current University of Idaho men's basketball guard Mac Hopson.
• The Crimson ZZU reports the Cougars traveled to Moscow for practice today in order to get accustomed to the shootting background at the Kibbe Dome.

WSU coaching staff seeks to build toughness

SportsLink shares some thoughts on the Washington State University men's basketball coaching staff's efforts to build mental toughness in the Cougars' younger players.

Media Roundup: Dec. 19

• The Seattle P-I provides a game advance for Sunday's men's basketball game between Washington State University and the University of Idaho.
• The official Cougar athletics site reports senior guard Taylor Rochestie is one of 30 men's basketball candidates for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
• The Crimson ZZU checks in from WSU's latest team practice.
• FoxSports.com offers an updated team report for the Cougars.

Media Roundup: Dec. 18 (Part II)

• The official Washington State University athletics site provides a game advance for Sunday's men's basketball game with the University of Idaho.
• The Crimson ZZU check in on the Cougars' latest team practice.
• The Press-Telegram reports WSU coach Tony Bennett is University of Arizona athletics director Jim Livengood's top candidate to premanently replace the retired Lute Olson.

Media Roundup: Dec. 18

• SportsLink includes a profile of future Washington State University men's basketball forward Anthony Brown.
• The Crimson ZZU offers an image gallery from a team photo shoot.
• CougCenter examines former WSU guard Mac Hopson's departure from the program.

Media Roundup: Dec. 17

• CougFan.com examines the three Washington State University men's basketball players on the fringe of the main rotation: true freshmen Marcus Capers and Mike Harthun and second-year freshman Abe Lodwick.
• The News Tribune features former Cougar student manager Mitch Reaves, who was hired by Seattle University in September as the school's director of basketball operations.

Media Roundup: Dec. 16

• The Crimson ZZU reports the game time for Washington State University's men's basketball game with Idaho on Sunday was changed to 5:05 p.m. in order to givestudents and student-athletes a chance to get out of town for break a little earlier. The site also links to video from coach Tony Bennett's weekly press conference.
• WSU's Bennett tells the Los Angeles Times that this year's new 3-point line hasn't had a huge impact on how games are played.

Starting time changed for WSU's game at Idaho

SportsLink reports that the starting time for Washington State University's men's basketball game on Sunday at Idaho has been changed to 5:05 p.m.

Media Roundup: Dec. 15 (Part II)

• The Crimson ZZU features a Q&A with Washington State University men's basketball center Aron Baynes and reports the Cougar big man was named to the five-man team of college basketball's "Toughest Players" in the December issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids.
• CougCenter examines an undervalued aspect of WSU's defense.

Media Roundup: Dec. 15

• ESPN senior basketball writer Andy Katz writes that Washington State University's losses to Gonzaga and Baylor are blemishes that may prove tough to overcome.
• The Cougars dropped from previous weeks and did not receive any points in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and ESPN.com Power Rankings.

Media Roundup: Dec. 14 (Part II)

• The Daily Evergreen recaps Washington State University's men's basketball win over Montana State University.
• CougFan.com features fan favorites Caleb Forrest and DeAngelo Casto.
• CougCenter examines WSU's freshman class.
• Former Cougar guard Kyle Weaver tallied three points and two rebounds in 12 minutes of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the San Antonio Spurs 109-104 on Sunday night. The game marked Weaver's first appearance since Nov. 26.

Media Roundup: Dec. 14

• Recaps of Washington State University's men's basketball win over Montana State University are available from The News Tribune, The Seattle Times, The Crimson ZZU, The Tri-City Herald, and SportsLink.
• The News Tribune features Cougar reserve Caleb Forrest.

Cougars crush Bobcats, 70-51

Freshman guard Klay Thompson scored a team-high 14 points to help lead the Washington State University men's basketball team to a 70-51 win over Montana State University Saturday night in Seattle.

The Cougars shot 58.3 percent from the field while limiting the Bobcats to shooting 32.7 percent.

The official WSU athletics site has a game recap, box score, and photo gallery. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink, The Seattle P-I, and CougCenter.

Media Rounudp: Dec. 13

• The News Tribune features Washington State University freshman men's basketball guard Klay Thompson.
• The Seattle Times offers a game advance for tonight's Cougar Hardwood Classic.
• The Herald Sun reports former WSU guard Derrick Low has left the Sydney Spirit and returned to Hawaii.

Media Roundup: Dec. 12

• The Seattle P-I offers a Washington State University men's basketball notebook and reports the Cougars have already sold 10,000 tickets for tomorrow night's game and hope the shaky weather holds off enough to help them top last year's Hardwood Classic crowd of 12,471.
• Seattle P-I columnist Jim Moore features WSU coach Tony Bennett.

WSU's Tony Bennett discusses season, upcoming Hardwood Classic in podcast

Washington State University men's basketball coach Tony Bennett appeared in an interview with Mitch Levy on Seattle sports radio 950 KJR-AM. Bennett discussed the Cougars' start to the season and tomorrow night's Hardwood Classic at Key Arena. Click here for podcast.

Cougars set to battle with Bobcats

Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Montana State University are available from SportsLink and the official WSU athletics site. Tomorrow's Cougar Hardwood Classic is set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Media Roundup: Dec. 11 (Part III)

• The Daily Evergreen provides a game advance for Washington State University's men's basketball game with Montana State University Saturday in the Cougar Hardwood Classic.
• The Seattle P-I assesses the Pac-10 Conference after one month of play.
• CougCenter provides commentary and reflections one day after the WSU's loss to Gonzaga.

Media Roundup: Dec. 11 (Part II)

• SportsLink provides a pair of post-game entries about yesterday's men's basketball game between Washington State University and Gonzaga.
• ESPN senior basketball writer Andy Katz writes that yeserday's loss marks the first time since 2004-05 that the Cougars have lost consecutive back-to-back nonconference games and the first time since 1985 that it's happened at home.
• CougFan.com offers analysis of last night's game.

Media Roundup: Dec. 11

• Recaps of Washington State University's 74-52 men's basketball loss to Gonzaga are available from SportsLink, The Seattle Times, The Seattle P-I, The News Tribune, and The Crimson ZZU.
• Commentary on last night's Cougar game is available from The Seattle P-I and The News Tribune.
• The Daily Evergreen has a feature on the WSU students who lined up early in order to get a seat at yesterday's game, and a separate editorial that cautions fans not to panic because the meat and potatoes of the Cougars' schedule is still to come.
• The Tri-City Herald reports that Ephreta High School junior Patrick Simon, who verbally committed to WSU as a freshman in 2007, is likely lost for the current season with a stress fracture.

Bulldogs' second-half flurry floors Cougs, 74-52

The Washington State University men's basketball team fell to No. 4 Gonzaga University 74-52 Thursday night in Pullman.

The Cougars trailed by just four points at halftime, but the Bulldogs proceeded to go on a 25-4 run to open the second half.

Center Josh Heytvelt led the Zags with 22 points, while WSU center Aron Baynes and forward DeAngelo Casto each tallied 10 points to lead the Cougs.

The official WSU athletics site has a game recap and photo gallery, while ESPN.com has a box score. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink and CougCenter.

Media Roundup: Dec. 10

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup tonight with Gonzaga University are available from The Seattle Times, The News Tribune, The Seattle P-I, and The Daily Evergreen.
• The Seattle P-I features junior Cougar guard Nikola Koprivica.
• SportsLink links to a Spokesman-Review column by John Blanchette.
• The official WSU athletics site includes a photo gallery of students who began lining up at 6 a.m. this morning for this evening's big game.

Media Roundup: Dec. 9 (Part II)

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Gonzaga University are available from CBSSports.com and the official Bulldogs athletics site.
• InsideBayArea.com assesses the Pac-10 Conference and predicts tomorrow night's game will go a long way towards determining whether the Cougars are ready for prime time.

Media Roundup: Dec. 9

• SportsLink features senior Washington State University men's basketball guard Taylor Rochestie and provides some Gonzaga perspective on tomorrow's big game.
• Game advances for the Cougars' game against the Zags are available from the official WSU athletics site, The Seattle P-I, CougFan.com, and CougCenter.
• The Crimson ZZU checks in from today's team practice and links to video from coach Tony Bennett's press conference.

CougHoops.com Fan Poll Results: Dec. 8

Which team do you most want WSU to beat in 2008-09?

Results: 79 votes
Arizona, 4 votes (5%)
Gonzaga, 19 votes (24%)
Oregon, 1 vote (1%)
UCLA, 24 votes (30%)
USC, 3 votes (3%)
Washington, 28 votes (35%)

Media Roundup: Dec. 8

• ESPN.com's Andy Katz features the upcoming men's basketball game in Pullman between Washington State University and Gonzaga as one of five places to be this week.
• The Sporting News looks ahead to the Cougars' game with the Bulldogs.
• WSU received two points in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll; the Cougs didn't receive any points in the Associated Press Top 25.
• The Cougars garnered 13 points in ESPN.com's power rankings.

Media Roundup: Dec. 7 (Part II)

• Recaps of the Washington State University men's basketball team's 58-52 loss to No. 24 Baylor are available from The Daily Evergreen and CougFan.com.
• The Crimson ZZU links to the Cougars' new media guide and video highlights/inteviews from last night.
• CougCenter provides analysis of WSU's second loss of the season.

Media Roundup: Dec. 7

• Game recaps from the Washington State University men's basketball team's 58-52 loss to No. 24 Baylor are available from The News Tribune, The Crimson ZZU, and The Tribune-Herald.
• SportsLink identifies some lessons the Cougars can learn from last night's game.

Cougars lose to No. 24 Bears, 58-52

The Washington State University men's basketball team shot 38 percent from the field (17-of-45) and 63 percent from the line (12-of-19) in a 58-52 loss to Baylor Saturday night in Pullman.

Seniors Daven Harmeling and Aron Baynes each scored 14 points to lead the Cougars.

ESPN.com has a game recap and box score. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink and The Kitsap Sun.

Media Roundup: Dec. 6

• The News & Observer provides a game advance for tonight's men's basketball matchup between Washington State University and Baylor.
• The Crimson ZZU reports the Cougars were emphasizing their transition defense in Friday's team practice.

WSU set to take on No. 24 Baylor

Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with No. 24 Baylor are available from The Seattle P-I and The Tribune Herald. Saturday's tip is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. PT.

Media Roundup: Dec. 5

• SI.com's Seth Davis includes Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Baylor in his "Five for Friday" feature and picks the Cougs to edge the Bears, 62-59.
• The Crimson ZZU provides observations from yesterday's team practice and links to video interviews with WSU guards Nikola Koprivica and Klay Thomspon.

Media Roundup: Dec. 4 (Part II)

• SportsLink features a Washington State University men's basketball notebook and reports freshman guard James Watson is out with a sprained right wrist and did not practice today.
• The Daily Evergreen provides a game advance for the Cougars' Saturday night matchup with No. 24 Baylor.

Media Roundup: Dec. 4

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Baylor are available from the official Cougar athletics site and the official Bears athletics site.
• FoxSports.com provides a new team report for WSU.
• The Crimson Zzu offers a Q&A with senior forward Caleb Forrest.
• CougCenter includes commentary on WSU's search for a legitimate and consistent third scoring option.

Media Roundup: Dec. 3

• Recaps of Washington State University's 60-41 win over Idaho State University are available from The Crimson ZZU, The Daily Evergreen, and The Idaho State Journal.
• The Daily Evergreen provides commentary on the Cougars' upcoming games with Baylor, Louisiana State and Gonzaga.

Cougars beat Bengals, 60-41

Freshman guard Klay Thompson scored 14 points to help lead the Washington State University men's basketball team to a 60-41 win over Idaho State University Tuesday night in Pullman.

The Cougars limited the Bengals to shooting 15-of-44 from the field. Senior center Aron Baynes contributed 11 points and eight rebounds for WSU.

The official Cougar athletics site has a game recap, box score, and photo gallery. Additional coverage is available from SportsLink and CougCenter.

Media Roundup: Dec. 2 (Part II)

• SportsLink offers some pregame notes on the Washington State University men's basketball team.
• CougCenter provides more observations from the Cougars' performance in Saturday's game against Pitt.

Media Roundup: Dec. 2

• Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Idaho State University are available from The News Tribune and the official Bengals athletics site.
• CougCenter provides observations from WSU's performance in Saturday's game against Pitt.
• ESPN.com features the Cougars prominently in an article about the Panthers.

Cougars set to take on Bengals

Game advances for Washington State University's men's basketball matchup with Idaho State University are available from SportsLink, The Daily Evergreen, and CougCenter. Tuesday night's tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.

Media Roundup: Dec. 1 (Part II)

• The official Washington State University athletics site previews tomorrow's men's basketball game with Idaho State University.
• The Crimson ZZU reports Fabian Boeke and John Allen continue to battle back problems, but contribute in Cougar practices when they can.
• SI.com's Luke Winn writes that "the next Stephen Curry-esque story" might be Washington State's Klay Thompson. Winn spotlights Thompson in a blog entry on three things learned from No. 4 Pitt's 57-43 win over the Cougs in Saturday's Legends Classic final.
• FoxSports.com includes a new team report for WSU.
• The Seattle P-I checks in on former Cougar guards Josh Akognon, Chris Matthews, and Mac Hopson.

Media Roundup: Dec. 1

• The Seattle P-I recaps the Washington State University men's basketball team's performance at the Legends Classic.
• The Sporting News considers the Cougars' upcoming game with Baylor as one of next weekend's best games.
• WSU received 14 points in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll; the Cougs received 15 points in the Associated Press Top 25.