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Photo Gallery: A 5-0 start for WSU basketball, in pictures

By Jack RM Ellis
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) is announced as a starter prior to a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) presses on man defense in the first half of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State guard Myles Warren (2) brings the ball up the court in the second half of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State forward Andrej Jakimovski (23) surveys the court during the first half of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State guard TJ Bamba (5) goes under the hoop for the layup during the first half of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State Head Coach Kyle Smith talks to his team during a media timeout in the first half of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Washington State guard Noah Williams (24) goes aerial for a dunk during warmups of the non-conference matchup between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Washington State Cougars on November 28, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State center Volodymyr Markovetskyy (15) blocks a shot by an Oregon State player in the first half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State forward Aljaz Kunc (4) goes to the hoop in the first half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe (10) reaches in on Washington State forward DJ Rodman (11) during the first half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State guard Noah Williams (4) gets boxed out during a free throw attempt in the second half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) and guard Isaac Bonton (10) discuss a play during the second half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State guard Noah Williams (24) drives to the hoop during the second half of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 2: Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) celebrates a 59-55 victory at the conclusion of the Pac 12 matchup between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars on December 2, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 9: Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) drives to the hoop during the first half of the Battle of the Palouse rivalry between the Idaho Vandals and the Washington State Cougars on December 9, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 9: Washington State guard TJ Bamba (5) looks to pass the ball during the first half of the Battle of the Palouse rivalry between the Idaho Vandals and the Washington State Cougars on December 9, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 9: Washington State forward Andrej Jakimovski (23) pushes past an Idaho defender during the second half of the Battle of the Palouse rivalry between the Idaho Vandals and the Washington State Cougars on December 9, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) looks for an open player during the first half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) goes up for a dunk during the first half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State center Efe Abogidi (0) goes under the hoop during the first half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State head coach Kyle Smith (right) talks to sophomore guard Noah Williams (left) during a timeout in the second half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State guard Noah Williams (5) goes aerial for a layup during the second half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State guard Isaac Bonton (10) cuts to the hoop during the second half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter
  • PULLMAN, WA - DECEMBER 13: Washington State guard Noah Williams (24) takes advantage of a screen and cuts to the hoop during the second half of a non-conference matchup between the Portland State Vikings and the Washington State Cougars on December 13, 2020, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. Jack Ellis/For CougCenter

Through the first three weekends of the 2020-21 men’s basketball season, Kyle Smith has led the Washington State Cougars to an unblemished 5-0 record, including 1-0 in conference play after a win over Oregon State. The first four of those games were nail-biters, with WSU needing second-half comebacks to secure victory; the most recent win, over Portland State, was a nice respite from the drama.

WSU even received votes in the AP top 25 poll at one point, giving Coug fans optimism about the future of this young program.

The Cougars have not yet left Pullman this season, due to their lone road trip to Colorado being cancelled, and they will continue with that trend, playing each of their next five matchups within the friendly confines of Beasley Coliseum.

The non-conference slate concludes next week with matchups against Montana State (on Friday), Prairie View (December 21), and Northwestern State (December 23) before hosting the Arizona schools the next weekend. WSU has a legitimate shot at beginning the season 8-0, the program’s best start since 2007-08.

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