SAN FRANCISCO – Second-year head coach, Ernie Kent, and junior forward Josh Hawkinson represented Washington State men's basketball at Pac-12 Men's Basketball Media Day, Thursday.
Among the activities scheduled for the day were various one-on-one interviews, photos, and a group interview session. Kent and Hawkinson took the media day podium at 11 a.m. to answer questions from the media and talk about this year's team. Kent did a segment on the Pac-12 Networks' live media day special at 11:55 a.m. and Hawkinson appeared on live with Andrew Andrews of Washington at 12:35 p.m.
The Pac-12 Media poll was also announced Thursday morning, as Washington State was picked to finish 12th with 65 points by a group of media members who cover Pac-12 men's basketball. For the fifth-straight, year, Arizona was picked to finish first with 18 first-place votes and 406 points. California was picked second (378 points), Utah third (360 points) Oregon fourth (338 points) and UCLA fifth (304). The rest of the poll has Oregon State at sixth (235), Colorado seventh (188), Arizona State eighth (165), Stanford ninth (145), USC 10th (111) and Washington 11th (96).
The Cougars will host two exhibition games this season, the first, Friday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. against Lewis-Clark State and the second, Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at Bohler Gym against Pacific (Ore). Hall of Famer George Raveling will make an appearance in Pullman for the 'Flashback Friday' game on Nov. 6, as both exhibition games will take place the night before home football games. WSU opens the regular season Friday, Nov. 13 hosting Northern Arizona at 5:30 p.m.