PULLMAN, Wash. — A nearly rebuilt Washington State men’s basketball roster is preparing for a new season under head coach David Riley, with the Cougars emphasizing chemistry, physicality and a team-first approach.
Washington State went 12-20 overall and 7-11 in conference play last season. This year’s roster features a new group of players still learning how to play together, but sophomore forward Tyler Kropp and senior forward Ronnie Harrison say the group has embraced the challenge.
“Everybody came here with a chip on their shoulder,” Kropp said. “Everybody just knows what to do — come here and get the job done.”
Harrison said the Cougars have focused heavily on building chemistry since arriving in Pullman.
“As soon as we got on campus, we made sure as often as we could that we were together,” Harrison said. “Before practice, after practice, we’re hanging out. That was definitely a big focus for us.”
Riley said the team has spent the preseason simplifying its schemes while working to build cohesion.
“We got a lot of new faces,” Riley said. “We’re a talented team that’s still learning how to come together right now.”
The Cougars will look to play with more aggression and confidence this season. Riley said the staff sought versatile players who can contribute in multiple ways, while also making physicality a priority during the offseason.
“We want to be a physical team,” Riley said. “That’s something that we’re trying to embrace.”
The Cougars learned a difficult lesson in their first exhibition, according to Riley. He said the team’s identity must show through in the biggest moments — especially by guarding the ball, protecting the paint and sharing it offensively.
“When they went on a run against us, instead of fighting back with a team mindset, we kind of fought back with an individual mindset,” Riley said. “We’ve got to really buy into that process.”
That message has become a central theme for a roster with players coming from different programs and backgrounds. Riley said individual goals will only be reached if the group commits to winning together.
“If I want to achieve my goals and get myself going offensively, I’ve got to buy into that team mindset,” Riley said. “The best teams and the best players buy into whatever the team needs to win.”
Washington State will face Washington in an exhibition game Sunday, Oct. 25, before opening the regular season Nov. 2 against Davidson.
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