SAN FRANCISCO – The Washington State men's basketball team was selected eighth in the 2022-23 Pac-12 Preseason Media Poll, the conference announced Wednesday morning. The Cougs received 185 points in the poll, as voted on by media members who cover the league.
 
WSU returns two starters from the 2021-22 squad, which finished the season in Madison Square Garden and the NIT semifinals for the first time since 2010-11. Sophomore Mouhamed Gueye and junior TJ Bamba lead the 2022-23 Cougs. Gueye was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference First Team earlier this week, and finished last season as a member of the Pac-12 All-Freshmen Team. Bamba returns to the starting lineup after averaging 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season.
 
Wazzu finished the 2021-22 season with a 22-15 record, breaking the program record with 37 games played on the season. The Cougs' 22 wins matched the highest total since the 2010-11 team which also when to the NIT semifinals, led by Klay Thompson.
 
Washington State begins the 2022-23 campaign at home against Texas State, Monday, Nov. 7, in a double-header action with the women's team. The men tip off the season at 4:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.
 
Tickets for the 2022-23 season are on sale now. Fans can get their season and single-game tickets at www.wsucougars.com.
 
2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll (1st-Place Votes)
1. UCLA (26) - 386 pts.
2. Arizona (3) - 352
3. Oregon (3) - 336
4. USC - 300
5. Stanford (1) - 239
6. Colorado - 207
7. Arizona State - 193
8. Washington State - 185
9. Washington - 158
10. Utah - 102
11. California - 69
12. Oregon State - 47