Week ahead

WSU Cougars

Today: vs. Oregon State, 7 p.m.

Sunday: vs. Oregon, 5 p.m. (FSN)

Outlook: OSU’ Beavers are the Pac-10’s lone sub-.500 team, but that doesn’t mean OSU is without weapons, including Seth Tarver, who is averaging 12.9 points per game. UO’s Ducks have been problematic to the Cougars in the Bennett era, winning all nine games since Dick arrived at WSU.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Saturday: vs. San Diego, 1 p.m. (KHQ)

Monday: vs. San Francisco, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Outlook: Former Gonzaga assistant Billy Grier brings talented but inconsistent San Diego into a matchup with his former team. The Toreros feature one of the WCC’s best inside-outside combinations – forward Gyno Pomare and point guard Brandon Johnson. If San Francisco (4-12, 0-1) beats Portland on Saturday, Dons interim coach Eddie Sutton will be trying for his 800th career victory against Gonzaga on Monday.

Idaho Vandals

Tonight: at Nevada, 7 p.m.

Saturday: at Utah State, 6 p.m.

Outlook: Idaho coach George Pfeifer said this could be the most challenging weekend of the season, especially if 6-foot-11 senior Darin Nagle can’t play. Pfeifer said Nagle will make the trip, but refuses to disclose the specific injury. Nevada is led by 6-5 sophomore guard Marcelus Kemp (19.3 points) and 7-0 sophomore center JaVale McGee (12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds). WAC-leading Utah State (12-5, 2-0) is led by 6-2 senior guard Jaycee Carroll (21.2 ppg).

EWU Eagles

Tonight: vs. Northern Colorado, 7:05 p.m.

Outlook: Eastern faces another difficult challenge from a Northern Colorado team that stunned San Diego State 62-56 last Wednesday, snapping the Aztecs’ 13-game home winning streak. The Bears’ athletic front line is led by 6-foot-7 junior forward Jabril Banks, who is averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. EWU boasts one of the conference’s top long-range shooters in junior guard Milan Stanojevic, who is 47 of 118 from 3-point range.