Washington State’s new and improved reputation has put many other teams running with their tail between their legs. But after an extensive search for the right opponent to visit Seattle this Holiday Season the Citadel South Carolina Military School Bulldogs have stepped up to the challenge. The Citadel will face WSU in the 3rd annual Cougar Hardwood Classic presented by your Northwest Dodge Dealers December 20th in Seattle’s KeyArena.
The 2007 version of the Washington State Cougars, and their preseason top ten ranking gives them a chance to become the best team in the schools 106 year history of playing basketball on the Palouse. After a surprising 2nd place regular season finish in the Pacific 10 Conference, and then losing in double overtime to a great Vanderbilt team. Last year’s final 32 NCAA team is returning all five starters which includes two of the best players not only in the Pac-10 but maybe in the country in Derrick Low, who averaged 34 minutes per game, 13.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game; and Kyle Weaver, who played 33.9 minutes per game with 11.2 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Both are coming of a summer where each represented USA basketball. Low and Weaver, the first two Cougars to play for the U.S. in men’s basketball at the Pan Am Games, and were among only 14 finalists nationwide selected this summer.
Just as the cougars will have expectations to live up to, 2nd year head coach Tony Bennett will be coming of his 2007 Naismith National Coach of the Year honor and a new long term extension to stay with WSU for the foreseeable future. With what happened last year, a school record tie of seasons wins, 26 games, and advancement to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 years, who knows what will happen this year. The expectations will be taken to the highest level that may include Conference Championship, Post Season Conference Tournament Win, and a Final Four run in March.
On the other side of the fence, The Citadel will be in a rebuilding period with 2nd year coach Ed Conroy. Conroy is bring in nine freshman including along with the announcement of Andrew Gonzalez and Tyrell McDowell to play this year, the Bulldogs have more reasons to have high expectations for themselves.
Although the Bulldogs do not have a pre-season ranking, they are still willing to face the pre-seasoned top ten Cougars.
Along with Low and Weaver, WSU will expect big contributions from other returning players including Robbie Cowgill, Aron Baynes, and Daven Harmeling.
This Cougar Hardwood Classic will be entering its 3rd year in 2007. Previous games included WSU wins vs. University of Utah in 2005, and last season’s dominate second half victory over Steve Fisher’s San Diego State Aztecs.