Week ahead
WSU Cougars
Today: at Oregon State, 5:30 p.m. (FSN)
Saturday: at Oregon, 6 p.m. (FSN)
Outlook: OSU’s Beavers not only have a new coach – Kevin Mouton – they have a new attitude since their 69-46 defeat at WSU last month. “I really think our guys will be ready for a grind-out game, ready for the challenge,” of playing WSU, Mouton said. The Cougars have not won a game at Oregon’s McArthur Court since 1995, in Kevin Eastman’s first year as coach. WSU has only been as close as four points once in that 12-year stretch, losing 69-66 in 2005.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Saturday: at San Francisco, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
Monday: at San Diego, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
Outlook: USF’s Dons are 2-10 under Eddie Sutton, with a victory over Pepperdine on Feb. 2 giving the veteran coach his 800th career win. USF has dropped three straight and is locked in a four-way tie for fifth place. The Dons are 0-3 in WCC home games and 3-6 overall at War Memorial Gym. Gonzaga led by as many as 19 points before claiming a 72-64 win over USF last month.
Idaho Vandals
Today: vs. Fresno State, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Nevada, 7:05 p.m.
Outlook: Idaho has one more home game after the pair this week. The Vandals have lost seven of their last eight games. Idaho is averaging 73.9 points at home compared to just 55.8 per game on the road. Fresno State hasn’t struggled as much on the road as Idaho (0-12), but the Bulldogs are 2-9. The Bulldogs have five players scoring in double figures, led by senior point guard Kevin Bell (18.0).
EWU Eagles
Today: vs. Weber State, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Idaho State, 7:05 p.m.
Outlook: Kellen Williams and Marcus Hinton will play the final home games of their EWU careers. At home, Eastern has lost three games by margins of four, seven and two (average margin of 4.3).