UW Men's Basketball | Huskies try to end six-game losing streak against Cougars

PULLMAN — More than two months have passed since the Huskies and Cougars began Pac-10 play against each other.

But Washington coach Lorenzo Romar knows what's in store for the Huskies when the teams tip off at 4:30 today at Friel Court.

Noting the Cougars' veteran roster and well-honed manner of play, Romar said, "There are not a lot of surprises about Washington State."

It'll be left to the Huskies, then, to try to throw a little intrigue into today's proceedings, a game those in Pullman hope will serve as a happy farewell to one of the school's most pivotal groups of seniors.

The five-man class includes guards Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver and forward Robbie Cowgill, each key cogs in the program's turnaround the past two years.

"You're talking about a special, special class, probably the most special class in the history of the program," Romar said. "I'm sure the place will be electric and everyone will be charged up."

WSU coach Tony Bennett worries there might be a little too much juice.

"Hopefully, we'll handle it well," he said. "It'll be a test, that's for sure."

If the Cougars fail, however, they won't lose a lot.

The Cougars (22-7, 10-7) will finish in either third or fourth place in the Pac-10 depending on what happens today, which won't impact much other than the team's opponent at the conference tournament next week as WSU is solidly in the NCAA tournament.

Today's game could have a bit more impact on UW's future.

A victory for the Huskies (16-14, 7-10) will ensure a winning regular season and improve the resume for the postseason, which will be either the NIT or the new College Basketball Invitational, barring a miracle run through the Pac-10 tournament.

And depending on what happens today, the Huskies can finish anywhere from sixth to ninth in the Pac-10. A UW win, coupled with an Oregon State win over Arizona State and an Arizona win over Oregon, would give the Huskies sixth place and a bye in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament. A UW win and an ASU win clinches seventh for the Huskies and a first-round date with woebegone Oregon State. A loss, and UW will finish either eighth or ninth depending on California's game at UCLA, and head to a game against the Bears in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament.

Romar wanted nothing to do with any of those scenarios Friday, however.

"Before any of that speculation can take place we have to do our part," he said. "We're looking to win a game. Everything else will take care of itself."

The Cougars have won six in a row in the rivalry, Washington's last win coming on Feb. 19, 2005 in Pullman. WSU has never beaten UW seven straight.

"It's like, 'C'mon, they've beaten us how many times?' " said UW guard Ryan Appleby. "It's tough to lose to a team that many times in a row."

The Huskies take some heart, however, in knowing that the past three meetings have been close, decided by a combined 18 points, including a 56-52 Cougars win in Seattle on Jan. 5. The Huskies also feel they are a better team now than they were then.

The Cougars will start the same lineup as that game — Cowgill, Low, Weaver and juniors Aron Baynes (center) and Taylor Rochestie (guard).

Washington, meanwhile, will have just one new starter (Venoy Overton for Joel Smith at guard) but is getting more significant play from big men Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Joe Wolfinger, who have helped the Huskies win four of their past seven.

"I think we are a lot different," Appleby said. "We are a lot better defensively. We're more together and we have more of an identity than we did the first game."

WSU's identity, meanwhile, has changed only in its success rate during the tenure of the seniors who will say goodbye today.

"They play the same way the entire game," said UW forward Jon Brockman. "They are experienced and nothing really rattles them. They are a great team. But we have had some close games with them, and I expect this one will be just like that."

Hoping, of course, the end turns out just a little bit different.

Note

• UW guard Justin Holiday, out since the UCLA game Feb. 10 with a sprained knee and ankle, will be available to play, Romar said.