Cougars to get out ticket info

PULLMAN – Washington State plans to send out ticket information for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament to its season-ticket holders Wednesday.

And based on the number available, if that mailing list doesn’t include you, the odds of getting a ticket through WSU aren’t very good.

Assistant athletic director for external relations Pete Isakson said the school is allotted only 350 tickets for first- and second-round tournament games, and at least 50 of those will probably end up in the hands of the school’s travel party. Isakson said WSU is doing whatever it can to secure more tickets.

Should the ninth-ranked Cougars go to Sacramento, Calif., which appears likely at the moment, things could be difficult for WSU fans starved to see their team in March Madness for the first time since 1994.

That site has already sold out, which means tickets will only be available if some are returned or through a third party.

Isakson said WSU will send out ticket information and order forms for all tournament games beyond the first and second rounds early next week. The school’s allotment will rise if it progresses in the tournament.

Passed over

WSU got some bad news Monday when both CBS and ABC decided not to televise the team’s regular-season finale March 3 against Southern Cal.

CBS opted to air the UCLA-Washington game and ABC chose Arizona-Stanford instead.

As a result, a game between teams currently second and third in the league that is sold out has no TV partner, but Isakson said that may change today.

WSU is negotiating with Fox Sports Northwest to broadcast the game.

WSU’s alternative would be to find a Spokane station willing to broadcast the game and share it with the Seattle market. But if Fox Sports Northwest airs the game, each Fox Sports outlet around the country would have the option to carry it as well.

“We’ve got to think that there are thousands more people than were able to get a ticket that want to see this game,” Isakson said. “And our hope is that something very significant in the Pac-10 Conference is something that we’re playing for on that Saturday.”

Back to work

The Cougars took to the practice floor Monday after resting three of the previous four days.

WSU plays Oregon on Thursday, getting an opportunity to avenge its lone home loss. The Cougars have won seven of eight since, and seem unanimous in the sentiment the time away from basketball to heal up was a much-needed bonus.

“It’s going to be great,” junior Robbie Cowgill said. “Your body is a little bit sluggish after a couple of days off. But I think it’s going to pay dividends later this week and especially as we get into the Pac-10 tournament and the NCAA tournament.”

Notes

Freshman Nikola Koprivica is scheduled to have surgery on his injured right knee Friday. … USC’s loss to Arizona State on Sunday leaves WSU two games clear of third place.