Tomorrow night, Washington State will face Arizona. That, in itself, isn't a special event. It has happened every season since 1978. Obviously, Arizona has dominated the series. The Wildcats have won 61 of the 78 meetings. In fact, when the teams meet Thursday night, the Cougs will be looking to snap a number of streaks, none of which are good for the crimson and grey.
Now, obviously, before we start we have to get past one thing. The only way these streaks will be snapped is if Washington State wins. We all know that's unlikely. But let's put that aside for just a second (before the harsh truth of reality slams into us like a ton of bricks Thursday night at 6:30 on the Pac-12 Network)
1 - Washington State hasn't beaten Arizona in 7 years
Remember 2010. It was Sean Miller's first season at the helm in Tucson and the frightening sight of his soaked though button up shirt was just a figment of our imagination. Ken Bone and the Cougs hosted Arizona in Pullman and topped the Wildcats by 18, 78-60 on February 6th. The loss was actually the 2nd of the season for Arizona against WSU. The Cougs picked up a 2 point win one month earlier in Tucson.
It was a good year for WSU against Arizona but, let's be honest, they took advantage of a down season for the 'Cats. Arizona would finish the year 16-15 and miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1984. In the 2010-11 season, Miller would lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight. Good timing on those wins Cougs.
2 - Ernie Kent hasn't beaten Arizona in 9 years
As Cougar head coach, Kent is 0-3 against Arizona and overall, his record isn't much better. Kent has played the Wildcats 30 times, picking up just 9 wins. The last one came when Kent led his Ducks over Arizona 78-69 in the final regular season game of the 2008 season.
3 - Washington State hasn't beaten at top-10 team in 10 years
Arizona will walk onto the court Thursday night ranked 7th in the country, and that could be a good omen for the Cougs. The last time Washington State beat a ranked team came in 2007 when WSU beat the then 7th ranked Arizona Wildcats in Pullman, 77-73 in overtime. Daven Harmeling led the way scoring a career high 28 points in the win. That victory was just their second over Arizona since 1986. Of course, the 2007 team would advance to the NCAA Tournament before losing to Vanderbilt in the second round.
In another random note, found in WSU's game notes, that Arizona win is the program's only ever victory over a 7th ranked team. They are 1-14 all time.
4 - Washington State hasn't won a game on a Thursday in 2 years
This one doesn't work chronologically, but it's last because it's by far the most amazing. The Cougs are bad when they play on Thursday.
The team has played on Thursday twice this season, losing both times. Last season? Same story. In order to find the last Washington State win on a Thursday, you'll have to head back to January 15th,2015 when they topped Oregon in overtime at home. In fact, over their last 12 Thursday matchups, that is the only Washington State win. Let's hope the Cougs can break their case of the Thursdays tomorrow.
Basketball
Washington State Looks to End Desert Drought - WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
After snapping its four-game losing streak Saturday, Washington State men's basketball (10-9, 3-4) looks to snap its two-game road losing streak as it heads to Tucson
Football
Thanks to Roy Manning’s Saginaw roots, WSU Cougars get verbal from Michigan DE Will Rodgers Jr. | The Seattle Times
Will Rodgers Jr. might have stayed closer to home in Michigan if his father had not re-connected with WSU linebackers coach Roy Manning, a Saginaw native.
Best Pac-12 players who turned down the 2017 NFL Draft - Pacific Takes
Falk surprised a lot of people when he decided to come back for his senior year despite a history of injuries and speculation by some that he was as high as a third-round prospect.
Pac-12 football projections for 2017
The depth chart, with so many returnees — not only Luke Falk but along the line of scrimmage and every level of defense — would seem to indicate another second-place finish.
Golf
Andy Whalen leads WSU golfers in Arizona | The Spokesman-Review
The Washington State men’s golf team finished 12th (+47, 899) after the final round of the Arizona Intercollegiate, Tuesday, at the Sewailo Golf Club.