WSU returns home for last time this season

Cougs hit Beasley for final time in hopes to gain two wins over Oregon schools

WSU+sophomore+forward+Marvin+Cannon+shoots+a+basket+in+the+game+against+Utah+on+Saturday+night+at+Beasley+Coliseum.+The+Cougs+will+return+to+Beasley+on+Wednesday.

JACK LEWIS-CLARKE | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

WSU sophomore forward Marvin Cannon shoots a basket in the game against Utah on Saturday night at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougs will return to Beasley on Wednesday.

ISAAC SEMMLER, Evergreen reporter

WSU men’s basketball returns home to Beasley Coliseum for the final time this season to take on a tough pair of Oregon basketball teams.

The Cougars are coming off two harsh losses to Stanford and Cal this past weekend. WSU was blown out by the Cardinal and also lost to the Golden Bears who have won just seven games total this season.

Despite strong efforts from senior forward Robert Franks and freshman forward CJ Elleby, the rest of the starters and bench players lacked energy and focus and were outscored 174-119 between both games.

Taking on Oregon this Wednesday will be no easy task, and WSU will have a hard time bouncing back after they lost by 20 points last time the pair went head-to-head.

This past weekend the Ducks also blew out Arizona and OSU and will look to carry that same momentum in Pullman.

Though the Cougars were embarrassed in the two losses, they have been playing phenomenal basketball at home and also average more points per game than Oregon.

However, WSU’s defense will be the biggest factor on Wednesday. All season long they have had a tough time covering shots down below, costing them multiple games this year.

Freshman center Bol Bol on the Ducks will be a huge threat in the paint. Standing at 7-feet-2-inches and averaging 21 points per game, Bol dominates on both ends of the court.

Oregon also has three other players averaging double figures in points whereas the Cougars have had just two since the season began.

Franks and Elleby have remained consistent this season but will need someone like sophomore small forward Marvin Cannon to step up to keep themselves in the game.

Though the Ducks record stands at 17-12, they are in eighth place in the Pac-12 and have won a mere three games on the road. However, WSU is just 2-6 against them since Head Coach Ernie Kent took over back in 2014.

Injuries have affected the Cougars in the last few games and could impact them this week but it is still unknown if junior forward Jeff Pollard, senior guard Viont’e Daniels or junior guard Carter Skaggs will return.

Regardless if WSU wins the remainder of their games, they will not move up in the seeding for the Las Vegas tournament but they would still like to end the regular season on a high note.

The Cougars take on the Ducks in their last homestand starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in Beasley Coliseum. The game can also be viewed on the FS1 Network.