Strong recruiting class should help Cougars build momentum

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2020, file photo, Washington State head coach Kyle Smith reacts to an official's call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford in Pullman, Wash. Washington State had a surprisingly good season in Smith’s first year, but many of the key players from last year’s team are gone. No matter. Smith put together a great recruiting class and the Cougars are confident heading into this pandemic-delayed season. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Washington State's Isaac Bonton (10) shoots over Colorado's Eli Parquet (24) and Maddox Daniels (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament in Las Vegas. The Cougars went 16-16 last year, 6-12 in the Pac-12, and won their first game in the Pac-12 tournament in a decade when they beat Colorado before the rest of the tournament was terminated because of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)