Basketball betting stats show that coach Tony Bennett was the consensus national coach of the year, as he guided the Cougars to a school record-tying 26 victories and into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
College basketball betting odds stats show that the Cougars return four starters from last year’s squad. Washington State had the Pac-10’s leading defense last season allowing just 59.5 points per game according to basketball betting stats. The Cougars have led the Pac-10 in scoring defense each of the last four seasons according to college basketball betting odds stats. The Cougars have held the opposition to an average under 60 points in each of those four seasons according to basketball betting stats.
The All-Pac-10 backcourt of seniors Derrick Low (13.7 points per game according to college basketball betting odds stats) and Kyle Weaver (11.2 ppg/5.6 rpg/4.6 apg/2.2 spg/1.2 bpg according to college basketball betting odds stats) are arguably one the top backcourt tandems in the nation. Low can hit the three, while Weaver is capable of a triple-double on any night.
Also returning are junior Taylor Rochestie (4.6 points per game according to college basketball betting odds stats) and sophomore Nikola Koprivica (4.6 ppg according to college basketball betting odds stats). Junior forward Daven Harmeling (8.9 ppg/2.9 rpg according to basketball betting stats) adds another outside scoring threat for the Cougars. Senior forward Robbie Cowgill (8.1 ppg/5.4 rpg according to college basketball betting odds stats) anchors the low post and was key in WSU’s interior defense with 29 blocked shots and 24 steals. The Cougars had a Pac-10 best +3.47 turnover over margin and led the league with a low 10.4 turnovers per game according to college basketball betting odds stats. Also returning is Australian native Aron Baynes (5.2 ppg/3.1 rpg according to college basketball betting odds stats). Freshman center Fabian Boeke should help the frontline on the boards according to college basketball betting odds experts. The Pac-10 is a very tough conference and Washington State is one of the top teams. They will be favored in college basketball betting odds most of the time this season.