Washington State University's basketball team, the Cougars, is heading to Las Vegas for the inaugural College Basketball Crown, a new postseason tournament set to begin on March 31, 2025. This comes on the heels of a challenging season, which ended with a disappointing loss to San Francisco in the West Coast Conference tournament on March 10, 2025.
The Cougars, after a rollercoaster season, finished with a 13-16 record. Their journey took a downturn in January, as they suffered a string of defeats against tough opponents, including Gonzaga, St. Mary's, Oregon State, Santa Clara, and Pacific. This lack of success ultimately removed WSU from contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, famously known as March Madness.
Despite this setback, head coach David Riley expressed optimism about the opportunity to compete in the College Basketball Crown, a new venture introduced by FOX. This tournament comprises a 16-team field, predominantly featuring underperforming schools from major conferences rather than smaller mid-majors, which makes it unique compared to the more established National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
"We appreciate the chance to keep playing," Riley remarked about the invitation to participate in the College Basketball Crown, which will provide less-celebrated teams a platform in postseason basketball. The games will be nationally televised on FOX and FS1.
As for their first-round matchup, the Cougars will be squaring off against the Georgetown Hoyas, who finished their season with a 17-15 record. Georgetown has struggled lately, dropping five of their last six matches, including an upset loss in the Big East tournament. Their best performance came late in December 2024 when they beat Creighton, a strong team that made it to the NCAA Tournament.
On the other side of the court, the Cougars have been navigating their own trials. They started strong with a record of 13-3 before injuries and a grueling schedule led to a significant turnaround. WSU managed to pull together a significant victory in the WCC tournament, but ultimately fell to San Francisco, causing the team to reevaluate their strategy moving forward.
Highlighting the current dynamics within the squad, guard Isaiah Watts announced on March 18, 2025, that he would be entering the transfer portal, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team. As they prepare for their matchup in the College Basketball Crown, the Cougars are looking to maintain a strong core lineup, expected to include Nate Calmese, Dane Erikstrup, Ethan Price, LeJuan Watts, and Tomas Thrastarson.
Tomas Thrastarson, a freshman guard, has emerged as one of the promising talents for WSU. With an average of 4.3 points and 3 rebounds per game on 56% shooting, he has been instrumental in the team's offensive plays while also earning a spot on the All-WCC freshman team. Riley praised his contributions, saying, "It was a huge bucket for us," referring to Thrastarson's earlier performances in the season.
Riley appreciates Thrastarson's commitment and his ability to perform under pressure. As WSU heads into the postseason, the coach emphasizes the importance of retaining players like Thrastarson, particularly in light of the departure of others like Watts and fellow seniors Ethan Price and Dane Erikstrup, who are set to graduate.
Looking ahead, if the Cougars secure a victory against Georgetown, they will advance to face the winner of another first-round matchup between Nebraska and Arizona State in the quarterfinals scheduled for April 2, 2025.
For the Cougars, this tournament presents a final opportunity for their seniors to leave a lasting legacy, and for the younger players, it’s a chance to gain invaluable postseason experience. With their sights set on improving team dynamics and nurturing player growth, WSU is committed to restoring their program's reputation in the coming seasons, starting with this new postseason adventure.
