Cougs close out non-conference slate with Bethune-Cookman

The Washington State Cougars close out the non-conference slate tonight as they welcome the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to Pullman. Conference play opens Dec. 29 at UCLA.

The Cougs are coming off a tough 68-65 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats in Spokane. The Cougs were up by as much as seven in the second half but couldn't close it out.

Bethune-Cookman is coming off a 106-55 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Huskies. The Wildcats, out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) are 5-8 and have just one win in eight road games. They're playing tonight nearly 3,000 miles away from their homes in Daytona Beach, Fla.

I hope they brought a parka.

As usual, the go-to guys for WSU are Malachi Flynn and Robert Franks. But, as has been the case in the past few games, the Cougs will need someone else to step up. Franks made just two field goals Wednesday, but Carter Skaggs stepped in with 24 points (he was pumped about it too, as you see above). Before that, guys like Viont'e Daniels and Jeff Pollard made up for any shortfalls.

On paper, the Wildcats don't seem to pose a huge challenge. But, as we know, anything can happen with this team. If the first half Cougs from Wednesday show up, it could be ugly. If the second half Cougs from Wednesday show up, WSU will win going away.

You can catch the game on the Pac-12 Network at 6 p.m. PST.