The Battle of the Palouse continues in Moscow
at Idaho (1-2) | Thr., Nov. 18 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats | StatBroadcast
Watch | SWX/ESPN+ (Dennis Patchin & Jeff Norton)
Listen | WSU IMG Radio Network (Matt Chazanow & Craig Ehlo)
OPENING FIVE
> The longest continuous running rivalry in the country continues Thursday in Moscow as the Cougs and the Vandals play for the 277th time - but the first time in the brand new ICCU arena. The Cougs have won the last three meetings between the two sides including the final time the two played inside the Cowan Spectrum.
> WSU has run its non-con win streak to 16 straight - the streak began for the Cougs in Moscow Dec. 4, 2019 when the Cougs defeated the Vandal 78-65.
> Efe Abogidi has been stellar defensively through three games posting 12 blocks (4th in the country) - his 12 blocks are a 1/3 of his season total from last year when he blocked 36 shots.
> Tyrell Roberts has started his DI career with a bang scoring in double-figures in all three contests - his team-best 14.7 points per game ranks 15th in the Pac-12.
> The Cougs have been one of the best in the country gabbing offensive rebounds early in the year ranking 8th in the country with nabbing 46.0% of the o-reb chances. At 15.33 o-reb per game ranks 32nd in the country.
GAME INFORMATION - vs IDAHO
Washington State hits the road for the first and only time in non-conference play for a true road contest at Idaho Thursday night. The trek across the border for the Battle of the Palouse sends the Cougs to the Vandals brand new home, the ICCU Arena.
The matchup between the Cougs and the Vandals is officially the longest continuously run rivalry in the country dating back to Jan. 13, 1906 in Pullman. The Battle of the Palouse took the crown for the longest running rivalry last season after the Ivy League opted out of the 2020-21 season snapping five inter-conference rivalries that had just edged out the Cougs and Vandals for continuously run rivalries.
The two sides will play for the first time inside the brand new ICCU Arena in Moscow. The Cougs look to continue their three-game winning streak in the rivalry winning the final game at the Cowan Spectrum, 78-65, Dec. 4, 2019. The win for the Cougs kicked off their current 16-game non-con win streak.
NEXT UP
Returning home for a final game before the Thanksgiving break the Cougs play host to a tough Winthrop team Monday night at Beasley Coliseum. The Eagles are the reigning Big South champions and earned a bid to the 2021 NCAA Tournament last season. The Eagles came into the year having gone 23-2 a year ago, a record-breaking and historic campaign on the hardwood for the team. The Cougs have only once taken on the Eagles prior, facing off in the 2008 NCAA Tournament in Denver, Colo. with WSU coming out on top 71-40.
The Eagles are 2-1 on the year with a last loss to Middle Tennessee for their first loss of the season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Cougs moved passed their first test of the year with a dominant win over Big West champ UC Santa Barbara. In a dominant show of force the Cougs smothered the Gaucho offense early, building a 20+ point lead before puling off the throttle and finishing the game with a 73-65 win to improve to 3-0 on the year. Efe Abogidi was the huge presence on both ends finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks to lead the way to the win.
BLOCK PARTY
Kicking off the new campaign the Cougs have started a block party in Beasley hosted by sophomore Efe Abogidi. As a team the Cougs rank 27th in the country with 6.0 blocks per game. That team mark is bolstered by Abogidi who ranks 8th individually at 4.0 blocks per game.
Abogidi posted a career-best 6 blocks against UCSB - the first Coug since Valentine Izundu's 6 vs Idaho State (11/20/15). He has recorded multiple blocks in all three games on the year and 12 times in his career. Last season, Abogidi blocked 36 shots the second best for a Coug freshman.
ROBERTS AND IMMEDIATE IMPACT PLAYER
After transferring to WSU from DII UC San Diego (and after sitting out the 2020-21 season), Tyrell Roberts has showed off the skills that made him a DII All-American early in his Coug career.
Roberts has scored in double-digits in all three games to begin his career, leading the team in scoring in 2 of 3 games.
His 14.7 ppg leads the way for the Cougs and ranks 15th in the Pac-12. He has done his damage from deep hitting 3.0 3PT per fame(4th in the Pac-12) on an impressive 40.9% shooting from deep (4th in the Pac-12).
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