BRADLEY BRAVES (1-0) at WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (1-0)
Friday, November 8, 2024
8:02 p.m. PT (11:02 p.m. ET)
Pullman, Wash. at Beasley Coliseum

Cougar Radio Network
KXLY 920AM // KHTR 104.3FM
KTTH 770AM // KONA 610AM
Play by Play: Chris King
Analyst: Craig Ehlo

Television & Streaming
ESPN+
Play by Play: Ted Robinson
Analyst: PJ Carlesimo
Producer: Michael Molinari

Opening Tips
1. Washington State hosts the Bradley Braves, Friday, Nov. 8, at Beasley Coliseum. Bradley has never visited Pullman, with all three previous meetings in Peoria, Ill. WSU and Bradley have not faced each other in 75 years, since December 1949. The Cougs hold the 2-1 series advantage after winning the first two contests in 1939 and 1942.

2. Five current WSU players were named the Freshman of the Year for their respective conference prior to arriving at WSU, including Nate Calmese (MVC, Lamar), Cedric Coward (NWC/D-III, Williamette), Dane Erikstrup (CCAA/D-II, Cal Poly- Pomona), Ethan Price (Big Sky, Eastern Washington), and LeJuan Watts (Big Sky, Eastern Washington).

3. Isaiah Watts, the only returning letterwinner from the 2023-24 roster, scored a career high 20 points in the season-opening win over Portland State, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and 4-of-5 from 3-point range in a career high 28 minutes.

4. The Cougars made 15 threes against Portland State, matching the season-high from last year in the first game of the 2024-25 season.

5. Cedric Coward led the Cougs with 23 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth career double-double and 11th 20-point game of his D-I career.

UP NEXT
One of the most contested series in college basketball history, the Cougars and Vandals will meet for the 279th all-time meeting between WSU and Idaho in the Border Battle, Monday, Nov. 11 at Beasley Coliseum. The series dates back to 1906 when Washington State Agriculture College defeated Idaho Agriculture College, 28-11, Jan. 13. WSU Head Coach David Riley holds a 5-1 record against the Vandals, after three seasons in the Big Sky with Idaho. The Cougars have won the last five meetings with Idaho, dating back to December 5, 2018, and have won six of the last seven meetings.

HOME OPENERS
The Cougars improved to 102-22 all-time in season openers with Monday's win over Portland State. Wazzu improved to 63-8 when opening the season at home and has won every season opener when opening at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars have won 29 consecutive season openers at home and have won 35-consecutive Beasley Coliseum openers (not necessarily the first game of the season).

THE CENTURY MARK
When the Cougs defeated Portland State, 100-92, the Cougars eclipsed 100 points for the first time since beating Oregon State, 103-97 in overtime, Feb. 28, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. It marked the first triple-digit performance at Beasley Coliseum since beating CSUN, 103-94, Nov. 27, 2018. WSU scored 100 points in regulation for the first time since beating Idaho 109-61, Nov. 18, 2021 in Moscow, Idaho.

COWARDS EARNS PRESEASON ALL-WCC
WSU senior transfer Cedric Coward was named to the Preseason All-WCC Team. The EWU transfer started strong with a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double in the Cougs' season opener.

FAST AND FURIOUS
The season-opener against the PSU Vikings was an offensive shootout, as the Cougs allowed 90+ points for the first time since the 2020-21 season, when Kyle Smith's Cougs gave up 91 points to UCLA in Los Angeles, Jan. 14, 2021.

SHARING THE ROCK
Six Cougars scored in double figures in the season opener, marking the first time with 5+ Cougs in double digits since WSU defeated Stanford in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas last march.