Washington St. @ Idaho preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 5, 2018 ) Idaho 70, Washington St. 90

Washington State coach Kyle Smith experiences the Battle of the Palouse for the first time when the Cougars visit Idaho on Tuesday. This is the 115th year of the rivalry between the schools located less than eight miles apart, with Washington State leading the series 164-110 after a 90-64 victory in last season's renewal.

The Cougars are coming off a sixth-place finish in the Cayman Islands Classic, with a 60-50 victory over Old Dominion sandwiched by losses to Nebraska 82-71 and Colorado State 79-69 on Nov. 27. Washington State is led by sophomore CJ Elleby, who was one of 37 Division I players averaging 20 or more points entering Tuesday. The Vandals lost 74-55 at Seattle on Saturday, leaving them 1-5 against Division I competition this season. Idaho, a member of the Big Sky Conference which was 5-23 a year ago, has defeated Washington State twice in a row at home after a 91-64 victory on Dec. 6, 2017.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, SWX Spokane

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (3-4): Elleby (21.6 points per game) also paces the club in rebounding (6.1) after producing 16 points, six rebounds and four assists versus Colorado State but was 2-for-13 from 3-point range. Junior guard Isaac Bonton (14.4 points) is the only other double-figure scorer but shoots 31 percent from the floor and is 11-for-48 from beyond the arc. Senior forward Jeff Pollard matched a career high with 16 points in the last game, raising his average to 9.6.

ABOUT IDAHO (3-5): Graduate forward Quinton Forrest (7.6 points, team-high 9.3 rebounds) recorded his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds Saturday. The Vandals used only seven players against Seattle with senior guard Trevon Allen (club-best 17.2 points) missing his second straight game with a foot injury. Junior guard Keyshaad Dixon, a junior college transfer, recorded 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks Saturday.

TIP-INS

1. The Cougars don't leave the Pacific Northwest until they visit California on Jan. 9.

2. Idaho and its opponents each have 109 assists this season with the Vandals turning it over one fewer time 99-98.

3. Washington State shoots 27.8 percent from 3-point range while Idaho is at 29.7.

PREDICTION: Washington State 70, Idaho 60