For the first time in more than 15 years, Washington State University’s Men’s Basketball Team is heading to the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars earned the No. 7 seed in the East Region of this year’s tournament, drawing No. 10 Drake University for their first game Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska. Their excitement was capture live on CBS, with the team sporting Cougar Energy shirts alongside exuberant fans inside Beasley Coliseum.
The WSU Men’s Basketball Team hasn’t appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2008 when they made the Sweet 16. Their inclusion marks the men’s team’s seventh NCAA Tournament appearance.
The team’s record of 24-9 included two wins over top-ten ranked University of Arizona and an appearance in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals.
“The attitudes and work ethic of our players is great, they’re easy to coach, our veterans supported Isaac (Jones), Jaylen (Wells) and the other new guys, so it’s just been a thrilling ride,” Head Coach Kyle Smith said shortly after the tournament seeding announcement.
Meanwhile, the WSU Women’s Basketball team earned an invite to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament as a No. 1 seed. They’ll face off against No. 8 Lamar this Thursday, with Beasley Coliseum playing host to the event.
The team’s invite marks its fourth consecutive year of post-season play, having been invited to the past three NCAA Tournaments.
Tournament-bound
It’s been a steady climb for WSU’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. Coaches Kyle Smith and Kamie Ethridge reflect on their record-setting seasons and the support from the university, players, fans, and each other that’s made it possible.
