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Pac-12 Preview: Will 7 teams make the NCAA tournament again?

By Ben Dull

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) looks to pass the ball with UCLA Bruins guard Jordin Canada (3) defending during the game between the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins on January 15, 2017, at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) looks to pass the ball with UCLA Bruins guard Jordin Canada (3) defending during the game between the Oregon Ducks and the UCLA Bruins on January 15, 2017, at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 03: Washington State Cougar Alexys Swedlund (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 03: Washington State Cougar Alexys Swedlund (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Washington State Cougars

Washington State is eager to continue to build. Most recently, there was a WNIT semifinals appearance to close the 2017 season. Head coach June Daugherty and the Cougars upended the Bruins at home on January 6 as part of a three-game winning streak. WSU took down Oregon on the road prior to that win over UCLA. A program expected to finish near the middle of the conference has laid a foundation for what could be an even larger step in the right direction in ’17-’18.

More on the Cougars:

Numbers & notes

16-20 overall in ’16-’17, 6-12 (T-7th) in Pac-12, eliminated in WNIT semis by Georgia Tech

WSU’s roster of 15 features just two seniors.

The Cougars’ WNIT run last season including a one-point OT victory at Wyoming on March 18.

The Cougars were picked to finish seventh in the preseason Pac-12 media and coaches polls.

In addition to the wins over UCLA and Oregon, Washington State topped Cal at home in late January last season.

The Cougars lost three starters to season-ending injuries within the first 17 games of last season. According to Daugherty, all of her players have been full participants in practice heading into the season.

Departures

Ivana Kmetovska — 8.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 22.6 MPG, played in all 36 games (23 starts)

Returners

Caila Hailey, G (Sr) — 8.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 27.2 MPG, played in all 36 games (33 starts), ’16-’17 Pac-12 All-Defense honorable mention

Pinelopi Pavlopoulou, G (Sr) — 8.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 25.2 MPG (19 starts)

Borislava Hristova, F (RS So) — 14.7 PPG, 35.7 3PT% (10-28), played just 9 games in ’16-’17

Chanelle Molina, G (So) — 12.8 PPG, 43.1 3PT% (22-51), played just 17 games in ’16-’17

Alexys Swedlund, G (Jr) — 11.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 34.7 3PT% (75-216), 28.0 MPG (20 starts)

Louise Brown, F (RS Jr) — 10.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 38.7 3PT% (12-31), played just 7 games in ’16-’17

Kayla Washington (F, So, 14.8 MPG, 7 starts), Maria Kostourkova (F, Jr, 22.3 MPG, 29 starts), Nike McClure (F, RS Jr, 19.4 MPG, 13 starts), Johanna Muzet (G, So, 9.7 MPG, 3 starts), Krystle McKenzie (G, RS Jr, 8.1 MPG), Cameron Fernandez (G, So) and Jovana Subasic (F, RS Fr) are back for the Cougars.

“I think the mental toughness that this group showed last year, not losing one, but two, but three starters and then a fourth player for the season like they did, they just bounced back. They did not allow anyone to make excuses for them,” Daugherty said at Pac-12 media day.

“I think that they’re to be commended about the fact that they were able to say: You know what? We know they’re hurt, but we’re good, too, and we’re going to keep playing and get better. And that’s exactly what happened.”

Fresh faces

Celena Molina, G (four-time All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation selection, led her high school to three-straight Hawaii D1 state titles, sister of sophomore guard Chanelle, sister Cherilyn is a highly recruited member of the 2018 class)

Taryn Shelley, F (3-time All-Wesco selection, averaged 16 points/15.2 rebounds/2.2 blocks as a senior at Shorewood HS in Washington)

“Celena’s a very unique athlete and very athletic, very athletic. Right now she’s ahead defensively than she is offensively, and that’s okay, especially for a two-three guard in our program, ” Daugherty said. “Taryn Shelley has really soft hands, and that’s a great thing when you talk about a post player at 6’4”. She’s learning the system very quickly. She’s somebody that offensively is not going to have problems scoring, but she’s got to learn the other side of the basketball, like most freshmen, defensively.

5 games to watch

November 19 v. Kentucky, 1:00 PM PST (Pac-12 Networks)

November 24 v. South Florida (Gulf Coast Showcase), 2:00 PM PST

December 6 v. Gonzaga, 7:00 PM PST (Pac-12 Networks)

January 14 @ Cal, 1:00 PM PST (Pac-12 Networks)

February 25 v. Stanford, 1:00 PM PST (Pac-12 Networks)

Washington State has three prominent opponents on its non-conference schedule. The Cougars host two of those games, and the third will be played at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida. Kentucky, South Florida and Gonzaga either appeared in the various preseason Top 25 polls or received multiple votes. Get a look at Washington State in January on the road at Cal as part of a tough weekend in which they’ll also travel to Stanford. The Cougars then host the Cardinal to wrap up the regular season at the end of February.

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