Tonight’s Games

USC at WSU

The Cougars (0-1 Pacific-10 Conference, 7-2 overall) try to even their league record against the surprising Trojans (0-1, 7-5). Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Friel Court in Pullman.

At a glance: Talk about a tough road. WSU, still without senior forward Mark Hendrickson (broken hand), is coming off a demoralizing 78-72 loss to 20th-ranked UCLA at the Arena on Thursday night. The Cougars played over their heads to keep it close against the Bruins and will need a similar effort if they hope to sneak past a Trojans team that has fared better than most expected. USC comes in off a 94-72 thumping at the hands of Washington, however, and it’s anybody’s guess as to what its emotional state might be today. Working against WSU, along with Hendrickson’s absence, is the uncertain status of backup point guard Kareem Jackson and the fact this afternoon’s crowd count could be minimal because of a lack of students, who are still on holiday break. Jackson, who has been home in Oakland, Calif., all week following the death of his grandmother, was expected to rejoin the team Thursday, but didn’t. It’s still not known, even by the WSU coaching staff, whether he would return for today’s game. “We’ve talked to him a couple of times on the phone,” said Cougars assistant Larry Harris, who listed Jackson as questionable. “But he’s just got a couple of things going on down there that he needs to take care of.” If Jackson doesn’t show, the Cougars will have just eight healthy scholarship players and will probably need another outstanding effort from their perimeter people to hold off the Trojans.

USC: Brandon Martin 15.7 ppg; Jaha Wilson 11.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg; Stais Boseman 15.9 ppg; Cameron Murray 6.5 apg. WSU: Isaac Fontaine 19.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg; Donminic Ellison 15.6 ppg, 5.3 apg; Shamon Antrum 12.8 ppg.

TV/radio: Prime Sports Northwest, 2:30 p.m.; KXLY (920 AM) Spokane, KCLX (1450 AM) Colfax, KWSU (1250 AM) Pullman, KCVL (1240 AM) Colville, KZFN (106.0 FM) Moscow, KORD (870 AM) Tri-Cities, KBSN (1470 AM) Moses Lake, KKRT (900 AM) Wenatchee, 2 p.m.

Idaho at Cal Poly SLO

Idaho (5-4) faces future Big West Conference foe Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (7-5), winner of four straight, at 1 p.m. at Mott Gym.

At a glance: The Mustangs were laughable last year, going 1-26 in their first year at Division I. But a new coach (Jeff Schneider) and essentially a new roster have turned Cal Poly into a winner. The Mustangs have victories over Big Sky foes Northern Arizona (78-75) and Eastern Washington (82-66). Remember, EWU thumped SLO 92-40 last year. The Mustangs also are coming off an impressive 82-74 victory over Oral Roberts, which had just defeated Tulsa, on Thursday. The Mustangs’ pressure defense has forced 290 turnovers. Meanwhile, Cal Poly attempts 22 3-pointers per game. Idaho also has momentum. The Vandals played well in beating Old Dominion before falling to George Washington last week.

Idaho: Shawn Dirden 14.8 ppg; Reggie Rose 13.7 ppg; Harry Harrison 11.3 ppg, 11 rpg. Cal Poly SLO: Colin Bryant 17 ppg; Damien Levesque 7.8 rpg.

Radio: KPRL (1400 AM) in Moscow; KVNI (1080 AM) in Coeur d’Alene.

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