NCAAB: Washington vs #18 Washington State Odds, and Picks (Mar 7)

• Washington came up short against USC on Saturday, losing by a score of 82-75.
• Washington State continued to roll against UCLA, winning 77-65, and rising to 23-7.
• These two teams last met on February 3, in a game that Washington State won 90-87.

Selection Sunday is just two weeks away! Let’s look at this matchup between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars. The Cougars are expected to end a 16-season NCAA Tournament drought.

How to Watch

• FS1

Preview

Washington continues to trade wins for losses, having gone 4-4 over their last 8 games. That’s been par for the course this season for the Huskies, who enter this regular season finale with a 16-14 record. Their only hope of making the NCAA Tournament is the Pac-12’s automatic bid, limiting the stakes for this game. Even so, Washington will certainly give their all to avoid being swept by the Cougars, their in-state rivals.

Washington State went 2-0 against USC and UCLA last week, cementing themselves as a lock to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. The Cougars have won 13 of their last 15 games, including a sweep of #5 Arizona, catapulting them from on the bubble to a 5-seed in the projected field of 68. Washington State will aim to sweep their rivals here and enter the Pac-12 tournament with momentum.

Prediction

When these two teams faced off a month ago, the Cougars came away with the win on the road. They should fare even better on their own home court, though their recent wins against UCLA and USC both came after needing to come from behind. If they avoid another a slow start, the Cougs should win here.

NCAAB Picks:

• Washington State 72, Washington 64 (WSU -6.5)