Hot Cougar Action: Bad news for both basketball teams

Men's basketball

Que Johnson was ruled ineligible for this season a long time ago, but WSU was still holding out hope that Johnson would be able to practice with the team this semester, That hope was dashed this week when the NCAA denied WSU's request. Johnson will still be eligible next season, assuming he maintains the grades needed to stay eligible, but will miss out on some valuable practice sessions.

-----

Bone: No practice for Que, plus other notes - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Jan. 29, 2013
The biggest news to come from Bone's meeting with the media is that the NCAA has upheld its decision to not allow Que Johnson to practice this season.

Cougars to `Whiteout' Beasley Coliseum on `Coaches vs. Cancer Night' - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash.- Fans are encouraged to wear white Saturday, Feb., 2 at Beasley Coliseum as Washington State University men's basketball hosts No. 8 Arizona at 7 p.m. in an attempt to `whiteout' Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars will also do their part to raise awareness in the fight against cancer as the game is part of "Spokane Coaches vs. Cancer Week".

Women's basketball

The women's team got even worse news as the injury point guard Tia Presley suffered on Friday turned out to be a torn ACL. Presley, arguably WSU's best player, will miss the rest of the season. That will be a very tough loss for a team already going through a rough stretch.

-----

NIC sophomores forge own identity - Spokesman.com - Jan. 29, 2013
WSU loses Presley: Washington State sophomore point guard Tia Presley (Gonzaga Prep) will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during the final minutes of Friday’s loss at Oregon.

Washington State Opens Road Trip Friday at Arizona State - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WASHINGTON STATE OPENS ROAD TRIP FRIDAY AT ARIZONA STATE: Washington State heads to Arizona this weekend for Pac-12 Conference road matchups against Arizona State University, Friday and the University of Arizona, Sunday.

WSU alumni

The men's basketball team will host the Arizona schools this week, but the Cougars will make the return trip late next month. If you are going to be in Arizona at the time, you can join some fellow WSU alumni. There is also a WSU event planned for one of the Mariners spring training games. More information can be found in the release below.

-----

WSU at ASU men's basketall pre-game
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 20
Event time: 5:30 p.m.
Game time: 8 p.m.
Location: Buffalo Wild Wings in Tempe (705 S. Rural Road Suite 101)
Tickets: Our discounted group tickets are $28 and in section J as most of you requested. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone through Ryan Kelley in the ASU ticket office (Ryan can be reached at 480.727.3502). To order online, go to http://ev10.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/EVExecMacro?linkID=asu&evm=prmo&RSRC=&RDAT=&caller=PR and enter promo code WSU. I've attached a PDF with the info as well.

We've reserved the party room for the event, and Happy Hour goes from 2-7 p.m. The game starts at 8 p.m., so for those who get off work later, you'll still have plenty of time to eat, drink and hang out. Please RSVP to me if you plan to attend as I need to give the restaurant an estimate of how many people are going so they can better accommodate our group.

WSU at Arizona men's basketball pre-game
Date: Saturday, Feb. 23
Event time: TBD
Game time: 1 p.m.
Location: TBD
Tickets: We're still trying to secure tickets for this game as only single seats remain, and there are no more seats together.

Cougs at Spring Training annual event: Mariners vs. Rangers
Date: Sunday, March 17
Pre-game event time/location: 11 a.m. at Fox And Hound in Peoria (8320 West Mariners Way)
Game time/location: 1:05 p.m. at Peoria Sports Complex (16101 N. 83rd Ave.)
Tickets: Tickets are $26 and can be ordered online at https://secure.alumni.wsu.edu/olc/pub/WHG/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=143671. We have 40 tickets for our group and this event always sells out so don't wait. Tickets will be available for pickup at the pre-game event.