Gonzaga and Washington State will play at Spokane Arena next season, Gonzaga athletic director Mike Roth told the Gonzaga Bulletin. After playing in Spokane against the Bulldogs last season, it was supposed to be the Cougars' turn to host.


I have reached out to Gonzaga, the Gonzaga Bulletin and Washington State for comment. I will pass that along when I hear back.


Updated: As first confirmed by Jacob Thorpe at the Spokesman-Review, Washington State will play Gonzaga at Spokane Arena next season. I spoke with a WSU spokesperson who says the schools signed a new three-year agreement following the 2012-2013 season. The three-year agreement says the schools are to play at Gonzaga, at Spokane Arena and then at Washington State in 2015-16.

This post was edited on 4/17 3:01 PM by Britton Ransford

..as Pravda regarding the Gonzaga situation. The irony in this accusation is really rich considering their penchant for heavy-handed treatment of those who disagree with them.

I won't defend Brand X on this issue (and haven't read their position), but for the record, from the beginning of his stint at WSU I was quite critical of Ken Bone's coaching over on Brand Y, and the know-it-all and arrogant Jeff Nusser would regularly respond to my posts by passionately defending KB. You know, I was wrong because I didn't and couldn't possibly know as much as THE expert J. Nusser.

Well, guess who ended up being right about Mr. Bone?

I only bring this up because I have a strong dislike of arrogant know-it-alls, especially those who end up being flat-out wrong.

I don't go over to Brand Y anymore (I was banned awhile back again...surprise!) and will never go there again. They are the only website I have ever encountered that actively drives customers away. It's astounding.

Of course, Nusser will never admit he was a stubborn KB supporter until he belatedly realized he was wrong. Same with a couple other contributors over there.

Finally, I appreciate that Britton does not feel compelled to shut down people who have opinions that differ from his on WazzuWatch.




This post was edited on 4/18 9:50 AM by How_did_this_happen?

PULLMAN, Wash. -- James Hunter and Royce Woolridge have chosen to transfer and have been granted their releases from the Washington State University men's basketball program; while signee Jermaine Morgan has been released from his National Letter of Intent (NLI) and will not enroll at WSU this fall, head coach Ernie Kent announced Tuesday.

"I greatly enjoyed my visits with James and Royce and respect their reasons for moving on," Kent said "We wish them the best and consider them both to be great young men."

A two-year starting guard for the Cougars, Woolridge averaged 9.2 points and 2.7 assists per outing at WSU. The Phoenix-native averaged 11.0 points in his first season in 2012-13 after transferring from Kansas, following up with 7.3 points per game in his junior year this past season. Woolridge is on schedule to graduate from WSU within the 2013-14 academic year with a degree in human development.

"I commend Royce for his decision, as he made it based on what's best for him and his family," Kent said. "We will miss him and we wish him well."

"I want to thank Coach Kent for the opportunity that he's given me and everyone else at WSU," Woolridge said. "I believe with all my heart that he will take this program to the next level, but my responsibilities are with my family and my grandmother. I commend Coach Kent for being so understanding. I've enjoyed my three years here and am proud that I will be able to call myself a Washington State graduate. I am looking to continue my education by attending graduate school and playing my final season at a school in Arizona to be closer to my grandmother."

A native of Sydney, Australia, Hunter played 18 games in two seasons at WSU after transferring from Gillette College in Wyoming. A 6-foot-10 center, he scored a total of 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in those games. Having just completed his junior season, Hunter is on track to graduate this academic year with a general social sciences degree.

"James Hunter made a very intelligent decision for himself," Kent said. "This is best for him and his future and I wish him well."

"I want to thank Coach Kent and the staff for the great opportunity here at WSU," Hunter said. "I know I'm leaving my teammates in great hands and wish them all the success in the world. I am set to receive a great degree from Washington State, which allows me to pursue a master's degree and play my final year of basketball elsewhere. I've enjoyed my time at WSU and made lifelong friends, but I know this decision is going to be best for my future."

Morgan, a 6-8 forward from Chicago, currently at Moberly Area CC, signed with the Cougars during the early signing period. He transferred to Moberly from Odessa in College after graduating from Whitney Young HS in Chicago.

"Jermaine Morgan feels he needs to stay closer to home as a member of his family deals with medical issues," Kent said. "I granted him the opportunity to do that by releasing him from his scholarship. We wish him well."

Press Release Via WSU Athletics Communications



This post was edited on 4/15 2:09 PM by Britton Ransford

Frank Martin moving from Tennessee to California. This is a hire I could have embraced for the Cougars. Intense, driven, defense-oriented successful coach. Wonder if Moos even gave him a nod. Have no idea what the financials would have been.

Has been selected to he WCA Classic.


Isabell selected

According to Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman-Review, Ernie Kent will receive a five-year deal at $1.4 million per year, citing athletic director Bill Moos.

The contract is also "loaded with incentives" and has a $2 million buyout. Kent will have "about $650,000" for assistants according to Thorpe, and Moos will determine the rollover.


For reference, Ken Bone had an $850,000 salary and about $400,000 for assistants, according to the latest numbers.


This post was edited on 4/2 3:47 PM by Britton Ransford

With Royce Woolridge and James Hunter set to transfer and Moberly Area (Mo.) C.C. signee Jermaine Morgan released from his National Letter of Intent, new Washington State coach Ernie Kent will have four scholarships open for the 2014-15 season.

There has been no word on the status of signee Tramaine Isabell, though the local guard prospect was in Pullman over the weekend visiting with the staff. There has been no indication, at least yet, that Isabell is seeking to be released from his NLI. Isabell counts toward the five open scholarships in the 2014 class.

The second signing period in the 2014 class opens tomorrow, so you can expect the Washington State staff to be busy over the next couple weeks. We shared this story on two early targets for the new staff late last week.


This post was edited on 4/15 2:51 PM by Britton Ransford

Saw that they got turned down by Xavier's coach.

Why does Sandy Barbour hate basketball?!?

Get it done Ernie Kent, get it done. Associate Head Coach with 5-7 to take over when you retire.

This post was edited on 4/15 12:12 PM by 7ICoug

Travis website

Indicated that Coach Paul Fortier is involved with a spot on Ernie's staff. Kind of odd. Romar essentially got rid of him. This is not at all someone we need in my opinion.

Would make the possibility of Payne coming to Wazzu real.

Well as some of the coaching shake-up continues we are most likely getting closer to getting that last assistant in the fold. Seems like they are perhaps waiting for some of the HC things to shake out.

Since the HC will be in Spokane maybe there is a chance he will name the last guy. There is always the operations position to fill as well.

Since we still need 2014 guys no doubt the staff will be hitting the pavement and airways to get it done.

I think his work at P-12 Net will pay dividends for us.

Ernie Kent