WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (5-8, 0-0) vs PORTLAND PILOTS (7-6, 0-0)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025
2 p.m. PT
Portland, Oregon
Chiles Center
capacity: 4,852
COUGAR SPORTS NETWORK
Seattle 770AM & 94.5FM
Spokane 920AM & 100.7FM
Pullman 104.3FM | Tri-Cities 610AM
Chris King & Craig Ehlo
TV & STREAMING
ESPN+ & KUNP-TV & ESPN App
SERIES HISTORY
All-Time: 14-2
Record at Portland: 3-2
First Meeting: Dec. 9, 1938 (46-24)
Last Meeting: Jan. 18, 2025 (92-70)
OPENING TIPS
- The Washington State men’s basketball team begins the 2025-26 west Coast Conference basketball schedule in the Rose City to face Portland, Sunday, December 28, at 2 p.m. at the Chiles Center. WSU opened last year’s conference slate at Portland, defeating the Pilots 89-73.
- True freshman Ace Glass was named WCC Freshman of the Week for a second time, after leading the Cougars in scoring to close nonconference play. Glass broke the WSU freshman scoring record with 40 points vs ASU, Nov. 25, earning his first WCC weekly honor. The Rialto, California native leads WSU averaging 15.9 ppg and shoots at a 48.9% clip.
- ND Okafor is leading the team in efficiency, shooting the ball at 60.5% from the floor. Okafor scored a career-high 27 points,Nov. 19. The Irishman averages 5.2 rebounds per game and delivered a career-high eight rebounds and five blocks versus Nevada. Okafor is second in WCC in blocks (21), averaging 1.62 bpg.
- Eemeli Yalaho averages a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game, delivering three double-doubles in his Cougar career. The Finn scored 14 points with 10 rebounds to close nonconference vs Mercer. Yalaho is 10th in WCC in total rebounds and led the cougs in rebounding six times.
- Sophomore Tomas Thrastarson had the best offensive game of his career vs Nevada, scoring a career-high 20-points to lead the Cougs in scoring for a fifth time. He is second on the team in scoring at 10.0 points per game and shoots the ball over 46% from the floor.
LAST TIME OUT
Washington State defeated the Mercer Bears, 84-78, December 20, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman to conclude nonconference play. Five Cougars scored in double figures, led by true freshman Ace glass with 24 points. The teams traded runs in the opening half with eight lead changes and five ties.WSU entered the break with a narrow 41-39 advantage before starting the second half on a 20-9 run in the first nine minutes. Glass and Eemeli Yalaho carried WSU in the opening stanza with 26 combined points and nine of WSU’s 17 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Washington State travels north to face new WCC member Seattle U at Climate Pledge Arena.
Washington state Basketball: Preparing for Oregon State
Table of Contents
Published: 2025/12/27 22:31:19
The Washington State Cougars are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Oregon state Beavers on January 4th,hosted at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane. This game offers a chance for the Cougars to build on their current momentum and solidify their position in the conference standings. Here’s a breakdown of key factors influencing WSU’s performance and what to expect from this upcoming contest.
Key Performance Indicators
As a team, Washington State currently boasts a field goal percentage of 47.1%. This statistic is a strong indicator of their offensive capabilities. The Cougars demonstrate a clear correlation between shooting percentage and success: they hold a 5-1 record when shooting above 50% and struggle at 0-7 when held below that mark. Scoring also plays a vital role, with a 5-2 record when exceeding 70 points and an 0-6 record when failing to reach that threshold.
Player Spotlight: Tomas Thrastarson
Sophomore tomas Thrastarson is emerging as a key player for the Cougars. After a promising freshman season where he appeared in 31 games, averaging 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 19 blocks, Thrastarson has shown important growth during the offseason. he earned a spot on the 2024-25 WCC All-Freshman Team and has consistently improved his performance throughout the current season. He has matched or exceeded his career-high scoring multiple times, including a standout 20-point performance against Nevada. His efficiency at the free-throw line is also noteworthy, demonstrated by an 11-for-12 performance against Idaho.
Spokane Arena Advantage
Washington State has a strong historical record at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, holding an all-time record of 23-19 dating back to 1995. Last season, they secured a conference win against LMU in Spokane, improving their conference record at the arena to 3-1.Playing in front of a home crowd provides a significant advantage for the Cougars.
Bench Production
the WSU bench is proving to be a valuable asset, contributing significantly to the team’s success. They have scored 40+ points in a single game four times this season, most recently against Eastern Washington with 45 points. the bench reached a season-high of 67 points in the win over Chaminade during the Maui tournament. On average, the WSU bench contributes 30.8 points per game, consistently outscoring opponent benches by 6.8 points.
Key Takeaways
- Shooting percentage is a critical factor in WSU’s success; exceeding 50% leads to wins.
- Reaching 70+ points is crucial,as the Cougars struggle to win when scoring below that mark.
- Tomas Thrastarson is a rising star, demonstrating significant betterment and consistent performance.
- The Spokane Arena provides a home-court advantage with a strong historical record for WSU.
- A productive bench is a key strength, consistently outperforming opposing reserves.
Worth a look