WSU BB Coach Kyle Smith Says Cougs On the Rise

(AP) — Washington State basketball coach Kyle Smith says being picked to finish eighth in the Pac-12 this season is a disappointment. The Cougars figure to be improved from the team that surprised doubters by finishing 14-13 last year, the program’s first winning season in nine years. Smith hopes the low expectations will be a chip on the team's shoulders. The Cougars are clearly on the rise. They beat five teams last season that earned berths to the NCAA Tournament, including UCLA, Oregon State and Oregon.