Originally published February 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified February 21, 2008 at 12:19 AM

WSU Men's Basketball | Cougars hope to hold home court

Having hoisted itself out of a three-game losing streak into a third-place foothold in the Pac-10 race, Washington State could just about...

By Bud Withers

Seattle Times staff reporter

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Arizona State @ WSU, 6 p.m., FSN

PULLMAN — Having hoisted itself out of a three-game losing streak into a third-place foothold in the Pac-10 race, Washington State could just about clinch that spot with a sweep of the Arizona schools this week.

But being a host doesn't mean a lot this season. Home teams are 31-32 in league games.

"Just because we're at home doesn't guarantee anything," said WSU coach Tony Bennett.

But the Cougars have registered another 20-victory season, and could build on it tonight against Arizona State, 16-8 overall and in a three-way knot for fourth place at 6-6.

Under Bennett, WSU has won three straight against ASU, but two were one-point scares in Tempe, including a 56-55 victory in January when WSU had to deny ASU's standout freshman, James Harden, on a final drive to the basket.

Sauls update

Stephen Sauls, WSU's freshman guard who has missed most of the Pac-10 season after taking an elbow to the head that exacerbated a migraine condition, has returned home to suburban Houston to try to regain his health.

Steve Robertello, WSU associate director for compliance, said Sauls could qualify for a medical redshirt under a revised NCAA standard, which allows play in 30 percent of the games in the first half of a season. Sauls last played Dec. 28.

Robertello says the Cougars might also apply to the NCAA for a medical-absence waiver that would aid Sauls in gaining the credit hours needed to be eligible next year. Such waivers grant the applicant nine hours toward eligibility.

Pops snowbound

Dick Bennett, Tony's father and predecessor as WSU coach, was due to see the Cougars for the first time this season, but heavy snow scrubbed his planned trip west from Wisconsin.

The senior Bennett is now due to come out for the regular-season finale against Washington on March 8 and the Pac-10 tournament.

"It's not bad if you're inside with a fire going," said Bennett from his central-Wisconsin lake home, describing a hard winter. "But you don't want to go outside much."

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