COUGARS

Just wanted to let you know, for those of you who asked, I ran down the highlights of the WSU basketball schedule for 2007-08.

And yes, WSU will be playing in Spokane in late November. The inaugural Hispanic Invitational – the proceeds from the four-team tournament are earmarked for charity – from Nov. 23-25 will include Air Force, Montana, Mississippi Valley State and the Cougs in a round-robin format (each team gets three games). If you remember the tournament the Cougs played to open the season last year in Milwaukee, then you have an idea of what's in store.

The Cougars' non-conference schedule will also include a road trip to Waco for a late-November game against Baylor and another trip to Spokane to face Gonzaga in early December. Also, WSU will make a return trip to Idaho State – WSU have a two-for-one contract with the Bengals; two in Pullman, one in Pocatello.

There are other games, of course, include a battle with Idaho, but they pale in comparison with what the Pac-10 will bring. The Cougars open the Pac-10 schedule with games at Washington, at UCLA and at USC. Considering all might be in the top 25 at the time, the conference didn't do WSU any favors.

I'm off to the late football practice, so don't expect anything else until tomorrow morning.

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