Koprivica lost to Cougars
PULLMAN – Some days are filled with good news and some days are filled with bad news.
The Washington State men’s basketball team got both Monday while taking the day off.
The Cougars moved up in both national polls, getting as high as No. 17 in one, despite Saturday night’s overtime loss to Oregon. But they also learned that freshman wing Nikola Koprivica did tear the ACL in his right knee, ending his season with the second half of Pac-10 Conference play remaining.
“He was having a surprisingly successful freshman year,” head coach Tony Bennett said. “He really brought some good things to the table.”
Koprivica played in just 15 games this season, having spent the first four on the sidelines because of an NCAA suspension relating to play in a professional league in his native Serbia. After entering the lineup, however, Koprivica made a quick impression with his ability to get open away from the basketball, often leading to easy points. Bennett also complimented the way Koprivica’s defense improved.
Koprivica averaged 4.6 points a game and cracked the starting lineup four times.
Bennett said he had heard an initial estimate for a nine-month recovery time, but the freshman has not seen team physician Dr. Ed Tingstad and until that happens the severity of the injury won’t be known for certain.
In Koprivica’s absence, guard Chris Matthews is likely to see an increased role, a fact Bennett acknowledged is especially true in light of the sophomore’s 13 points against Oregon, a mark that tied his career high.
“One of our strengths has been our depth,” Bennett said. “Chris is going to have a chance. … How we respond in games will dictate it.”
No matter who takes Koprivica’s place in the rotation will do so on a team that is climbing in the polls. WSU moved up to No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and up to 17th in the coaches poll, adding further intrigue to the next contest, a Thursday evening road game at Arizona.
After the grueling overtime game Saturday, Bennett decided to give his team an extra day of rest Monday, and the Cougars will take the practice floor today for the first time since that loss to Oregon.