Cougs will travel to San Francisco for CBI game
COUGARS
FROM PULLMAN -- The Washington State men's basketball team will continue its season with a first-round game in the College Basketball Invitational on Tuesday at San Francisco. We've posted a short story below.
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PULLMAN – The season isn’t over for the Washington State men’s basketball team.
The Cougars were selected Sunday to make their first-ever appearance in the College Basketball Invitational, and will play a first-round game Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the University of San Francisco.
It’s the second time WSU has been invited to the CBI, which began in 2008 as a postseason alternative for teams that didn’t make the NCAA tournament or NIT. The Cougars declined an invitation in 2010, but coach Ken Bone made it clear earlier this year that his team would be open to any opportunity to continue playing.
San Francisco (20-13) finished fifth in the West Coast Conference this season. The Dons, who are coached by Rex Walters, are 10-4 at home this season, most notably beating Gonzaga there on Feb. 18. USF’s season ended with an 83-78 loss in the WCC tournament semifinals to eventual tournament champion St. Mary’s.
The Dons are led in scoring by 6-foot-8 forward Angelo Caloiaro, who averages 14.2 points per game. Three other USF starters – 6-9 forward Perris Blackwell, 6-4 guard Rashad Green and 6-0 guard Michael Williams – average double-figures. Starting guard Cody Doolin is just behind at 9.3 points per game.
In USF’s WCC tournament semifinal loss to St. Mary’s, the Dons played just one bench player – forward Cole Dickerson – for longer than five minutes. Three others combined to play just nine minutes. Caloiaro, Blackwell and Doolin have started each of San Francisco’s games this season. Green started all but one.
Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple