Cougars need a win, so do Buffs

PULLMAN – Can a game this early in the season be classified as a “must-win” for both teams?

When Washington State (10-7, 1-3 Pac-12) and Colorado (11-6, 1-4) meet at 7 tonight at Beasley Coliseum, both will be looking for a crucial victory to help soothe some of their early-season struggles.

The Cougars lost their first three conference games before beating Utah on Wednesday. And the Buffaloes, expected to compete for the Pac-12 title this season, find themselves in a surprising 1-4 hole after a loss to Washington.

If each team’s last performance is any indication, momentum might be on WSU’s side. The Cougars shot 50 percent from the field and made 11 of 20 from 3-point range against Utah. The Buffaloes made just one 3-pointer against Washington and connected on only 36.2 percent of their field-goal attempts.

Starting guards Askia Booker (14.6) and Spencer Dinwiddie (14.5) lead Colorado in scoring.