Second-seeded Washington State opens Pac-12 Tournament against No. 10 seed Stanford
Mar. 14—First half
3:46 — WSU 39, Stan 24: Cougars rolling at the U4 media timeout. Jakimovski looks like he's feeling better, with a team-high 11 points. Chinyelu, Jones, Rice and Wells add six points apiece.
7:55 — WSU 29, Stan 19: Houinsou is called for a travel at the U8 media timeout, but the Cougs have taken a double-digit lead.
11:27 — WSU 19, Stan 13: Jones makes a couple of nice finishes in the paint as the Cougars assert themselves at the U12 media timeout. Gealer is called for the Cardinal's 7th team foul. Jones and Rice lead with four points apiece.
16:28 — WSU 7, Stan 7: Chinyelu comes in the game and hits two free throws as Raynaud goes to the bench with two fouls. WSU already with five points from the free throw line. Rice got the Cougs on the board with a layup.
19:41 — WSU 0, Stan 0: Cardinal wins the tip and Cluff is immediately called for a foul on the first possession.
Starting 5: WSU rolls out: Rice (15.3 ppg), Wells (12.2), Jones (15.4), Jakimovski (10.1) and Cluff (7.6). Stanford going with Carlyle (11.8 ppg), M. Jones (10.8), S. Jones (11.3), Angel (12.9) and Raynaud (15.8).
Pregame
Will the last year of the Pac-12 Tournament as we know it be the first time Washington State is crowned champion?
The Cougars will have as good as a chance as ever, opening as a No. 2 seed against 10th-seeded Stanford tonight. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on Pac-12 Network.
WSU had a chance of claiming its first Pac-12 regular-season title, before dropping two of its last four games. The Cougars (23-8, No. 22 AP) will hope to right the ship in Las Vegas before sailing off for their first NCAA Tournament in 16 years.
That starts with the Cardinal (14-17), which came back to beat California in overtime in the first round of the tournament on Wednesday. Stanford's win may be a welcome sight for WSU, which comfortably beat Stanford twice in the regular season, but split with Cal.
Game preview
WSU wing Andrej Jakimovski 'on the mend' from shoulder injury, coach Kyle Smith says
PULLMAN — Andrej Jakimovski, the Washington State senior wing responsible for much of his team's run this season, is on the mend from the shoulder injury he's played through the past three games. — Read more
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Commentary: To extend 'Ballad of the Palouse,' Washington State must extend Kyle Smith's contract
For Smith and Co. it's already been a transcendent season. But how many more times will these Cougs sing? — Read more
As second-seeded WSU enters Pac-12 Tournament, how can Myles Rice get going again from deep?
PULLMAN — As much as Myles Rice is Washington State's leader, steering the No. 18 Cougars in the right direction at nearly every turn, sometimes he remembers he needs to be pushed, too. — Read more
Pac-12 Tournament: Why Washington State would be better off financially if it loses in Las Vegas
We aren't suggesting Washington State should take the proverbial dive. The Cougars undoubtedly will play to win — they should play to win — and they would derive significant benefit from claiming the conference title. But over the long haul, WSU's bank account would be better off without a trophy. — Read more
