What awaits WSU basketball?
COUGARS
We're back with our second post of the evening. This one has to do with Washington State men's basketball's post-season possibilities heading into the weekend with the Los Angeles schools. Read on for the unedited version of the piece.
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• Here's the basketball story along with a note and our weekend summary ...
PULLMAN – It seems like a question every WSU fan is asking. What are the Cougars' postseason chances?
With a 15-10 overall record, 5-8 and losers of five of their last six Pac-10 Conference games, the Cougars' postseason window looks to be sliding closed.
Which makes this weekend games with the Los Angeles schools all that more important.
"I think it's crucial, but I would not say it's a make or break (week) because we still have the Pac-10 Tournament," WSU coach Ken Bone said.
Bone's eyes, and those of his players, are squarely on the Holy Grail, the NCAA Tournament (see below). But there are three other postseason tournaments as well. Making one could be critical for the program's future.
"I want to play in the NCAA Tournament, there's nothing like (it)," DeAngelo Casto said. "At the same time, as a young team, we need to get to postseason play. It would be a good experience, if we make it, whether it's NIT or whatever."
The NCAA and NIT are based almost exclusively on merit, but any other option has a price tag hooked to it. And, with WSU between athletic directors – Jim Sterk's replacement could be named soon but might not be in place by tournament selection time – and finances tight, the decision to spend the dollars needed might be a tough one.
Though not to interim athletic director Anne McCoy.
"We have to do what we have to do to support our programs," McCoy said Wednesday. "When the time comes we would sit down with Ken and best determine from him and have him advise us to what is best for the program."
So if money isn't a question, let's get back to the original question. What are the Cougars' postseason chances? Let's examine each of the tournaments.
The NCAA: The Cougars have one chance and one chance only. They must win the Pac-10 Tournament and earn the automatic berth that goes with it.
There is no way WSU can earn an at-large berth with an RPI of 118, no major non-conference victories or any chance of a eye-opening upset down the stretch in the middling Pac-10.
The National Invitation: If you think a repeat of last year's 17-15 regular season record will get the Cougars back in the NIT, think again.
Last year the Pac-10 was good enough to get six teams into the NCAA Tournament. This year it may only get its automatic qualifier in.
Last year the Cougars had an opportunity to earn some quality wins in conference. They came through, earning four over top 50 RPI schools, three in their last four regular season games. This year, there is only one Pac-10 school currently in the top 50: Cal. And WSU lost both games with the Bears.
The 32-team NIT field is chosen by a selection committee put together by the NCAA. All regular-season conference champions who didn't make the NCAA are guaranteed a spot, then the rest of the field is picked by the committee. The Pac-10 may be looking at just a couple spots, which means WSU must get back to at least .500 in conference and then do some damage in the Pac-10 Tournament to get a look.
The College Basketball Invitational: This is the Cougars' best shot. The CBI, in its third year, picks 16 teams. Last year, Oregon State moved through the bracket, winning the title over UTEP.
Money talks here. The CBI earns $60,000 for every home game, no matter how many tickets the host sells. With a $15,000 price tag to put on a game, it gets pricey. And the Cougars would not be able to play in Beasley Coliseum the first week.
"The first round is unfortunately during the spring break," McCoy said, "leading up to the NCAA Tournament-hosting in Spokane. So, honestly, I don't think first round would be a possibility here."
Still, if WSU picks up a couple more regular season wins, adds another in the Pac-10 Tournament and expresses a willingness to host after the first round, it has a shot here.
For planning purposes you should know teams are selected March 14, with first round games March 16 and 17.
CollegeInsider.com: This is the newest of the four. Old Dominion won the inaugural tournament last season, a 16-team event that included the University of Idaho.
But this tournament caters to mid-major schools. Last year's field had no one from the BCS conferences. So even if WSU was willing, it doesn't look like this is an opportunity.
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WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
RECORD: 5-8 Pac-10, 15-10 overall
COMING UP: Tonight vs. UCLA, 5:30, FSN; Saturday at USC, 2 p.m.
OUTLOOK: With the Cougars coming off their first lost weekend of the Pac-10 season, they face a school they haven't defeated in Pullman since 1993. The Bruins (11-13, 6-6) have struggled this year, though they handled WSU 74-62 in Pauley. They may be without center James Keefe, who is nursing a sore shoulder. The Cougars rallied in the second half to edge USC 76-70 in LA, but the Trojans (15-9, 7-5) have worked their way back into the conference's top three since. USC is playing out the string, having removed itself from postseason consideration due to recruiting violations from a couple years ago.
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The note ...
Washington State will be a bit short-handed again this weekend. Reserve center Charlie Enquist, who stayed home from the Bay Area trip last weekend, is still out with a left-ankle sprain.
Starting wing Marcus Capers missed practice this week after a death in the family forced a quick trip home to Florida. He is still expected to start.
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• That's all for now. We'll return in the morning with our usual post. Until then ...
