Incarnate Word @ Washington St. preview

CJ Elleby is validating his inclusion on the Pac-12 preseason first team as the sophomore guard tries for his 12th straight double-figure scoring game to open the season when Washington State hosts Incarnate Word on Saturday. Elleby scores 20.5 per game after recording 25 points and 11 rebounds - the Cougars' first double-double of the season - in an 87-73 victory over Florida A&M on Thursday.

"CJ was great all around. He was talking right and trying to lead,'' Washington State first-year coach Kyle Smith told reporters after his club won its fourth straight game. "Ever since the Idaho game, he has really stepped up on the court as far as taking pride in defending, rebounding and when he shoots it like that, really efficiently, it’s great.” The Cougars were No. 1 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game at 9.7 before recording a season-high 20 against Florida A&M - the first opponent to make fewer miscues this year. “Ball-handling has been a strength of ours, but we slipped tonight,” Smith said. “I think they scored 25 points on turnovers. That is unacceptable.” Incarnate Word lost at Central Arkansas 88-82 in overtime Wednesday despite a season-high 28 points from freshman guard Keaston Willis and is 0-8 versus Division I teams this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT INCARNATE WORD (3-8): Willis, who averages 12.3 points, has scored 13 or more in each of the last five games and made a total of 19 3-pointers during that span. Sophomore guard Dwight Murray Jr. (9.5 points), who shoots 48.7 percent from the field, scored 14 and set career highs with eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals Wednesday. The Cardinals defeated Division III members Texas Lutheran 86-60 and Trinity (Texas) 101-65, and St. Francis (Ill.) of the NAIA 68-44.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (7-4): Elleby also leads the Cougars in steals with 22 and rebounds at 6.6 per game. Senior forward Jeff Pollard has totaled 37 points and 22 rebounds over the last three games, raising his season averages to 10 points and 5.1 boards. Junior guard Marvin Cannon had 11 points - his second double-figure scoring game of the season - and matched a career high with eight rebounds Thursday.

TIP-INS

1. The Cougars haven't won four in a row since starting the 2017-18 campaign 6-0.

2. Washington State has outrebounded its opponents 417-413 this season.

3. The Cougars shoot 28.9 percent from 3-point range - 312th out of the 350 Division I teams entering Friday.

PREDICTION: Washington State 82, Incarnate Word 62