WSU releases basketball schedule

COUGARS

The Washington State basketball schedule for 2011-12 is available, and though the Pac-12 part of it has been known a long time, there are some interesting games. You can access the entire schedule here , but before you do, let’s look at some key dates. … The opener is in Spokane at Gonzaga on Nov. 14. Nice start. … Sacramento State comes in on that Thursday for the home opener (we’re not counting the Nov. 5 exhibition against Lewis-Clark State). … The tournament in Anaheim is a big deal but it is over Apple Cup weekend. It’s possible the Cougars could play Santa Clara in the second round of that tournament. They also host the Broncos on Dec. 11. … The December schedule includes the Seattle game Dec. 22 vs. Pepperdine. … And then the Pac-12 opener Dec. 29 against Oregon in Spokane. The Oregon State game that weekend will be at the Arena as well. It will probably be my swan song. … The first Pac-12 road trip takes WSU to Utah and Colorado. … WSU will not play in Pullman from Dec. 18 to Jan. 19, which covers the time the students are gone. … The Washington games are Sunday, Jan. 15 in Seattle and Saturday, Feb. 25 in Pullman. … The Cougars final two Pac-12 games are in Los Angeles the week before the Pac-12 tournament - in Los Angeles. Stay or come home?