Cougars hope to stay perfect

If December turns out to be as kind as November to the Washington State men’s basketball team, a whole lot of folks around Beasley Coliseum may be in for a pleasant surprise this season.

Washington State finished its first month at 7-0, the best November in school history. At 6 (PST) tonight, the Cougars take the floor in Salt Lake City with the hopes of carrying that success into a new month against Utah.

“It should be a pretty good atmosphere,” forward Robbie Cowgill said. “Now that we’ve taken care of business (in Pullman), it’s important to take care of business on the road.”

It’s also WSU’s final game before facing Gonzaga, a contest that increasingly looks like it will be one of the Cougars’ biggest games in years, given their record and the Bulldogs’ recent dominance in the series.

But first WSU will have to worry about the Utes (2-3). Under former Eastern Washington coach Ray Giacoletti, the Utes feature a big lineup that could give the visitors problems on the glass.

The front line features 7-foot-1 center Luke Nevill, a sophomore from Australia who is averaging nearly 19 points a game.

With WSU’s sophomore Australian center, Aron Baynes, still working his way back into the rotation after an injury in the summer, the Cougars won’t have the muscle to match Nevill possession for possession, in all likelihood.

“We haven’t played against a horse like Nevill,” said Cougars coach Tony Bennett. “He’s just a big, big player. Like NBA-size big. And they’ve got some other big players. Facing a huge inside team, that’s the first thing.”

WSU’s ability to handle Nevill and his fellow Utes inside could serve as an indication of how it’ll match up against Gonzaga and some of the Pac-10 teams still to come on the schedule.

For all of their success, the Cougars have yet to play an opponent that is expected to compete on a high level this season.

But at 7-0, WSU isn’t about to complain.

“I’m cautiously optimistic because I know the road ahead,” Bennett said. “We’re getting to that part where finals are upon you. Can you stay focused? Do you have the moxie to just be hungry and tough?”