The WSU Cougars (11-3) will face the Loyola Marymount University Lions (8-5) tonight at the Spokane Arena.
The Cougs are coming off a strong win over Portland, while the Lions are coming off a 15-point loss against San Francisco.
LMU was picked to finish sixth in the WCC, just one spot behind the Cougs who were picked to finish fifth. Both teams finished non-conference play with winning records.
WSU will again be playing without guard Isaiah Watts, who is out for multiple weeks with an injury to his left hand. It will likely by freshman Tomas Thrastarson making his third career start.
So far the Cougs have navigated their injuries well, only losing one game (at Washington) since the injuries to Coward and Watts. However, LMU is a strong team that will present a challenge for the Cougs.
Wazzu will be eight-and-a-half point favorites according to ESPN Bet, and has an 87% chance to win.
The Lions began the season ranked in the top 100 of the KenPom rankings, but are now ranked No. 153. The Cougs, meanwhile, opened the year ranked just outside the top 100 (No. 111) but are now ranked at No. 81 after starting the season 11-3.
