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NCAA Basketball: Arkansas, SMU among best unbeaten teams that aren’t ranked

By Ryan Kay

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 28: Emmanuel Bandoumel #5 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs brings the ball up court during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on January 28, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 28: Emmanuel Bandoumel #5 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs brings the ball up court during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on January 28, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Pac-12 Basketball
NCAA Basketball Washington State Cougars Tony Miller Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 522. . 8-0. Previous: 3rd. Cougars . 3

Team: Washington State

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 8-0

Leading Scorer: Isaac Bonton is averaging 16.0 points per game.

Victories: Oregon State, Idaho, Portland State, Texas Southern, Eastern Washington,  Montana State, Prairie View A&M, and Northwestern State.

KenPom ranking: 132

Why they are undefeated: Washington State has shown the grit and ability to finish games in the final minutes of regulation. The Cougar’s lockdown and intensifying swarming defense is the main reason why they are undefeated at this point in the season. Washington State’s defense has limited their opposition to 58 or fewer points in five games this season.

The Cougars in two games have held opposing teams’ offenses to only 62 and 60 points. The Washington State defense has not given up more than 68 points this season and the Cougars at this point of the season statistically has the best defense in the Pac-12.

There is no doubting that Washington State’s level of competition has not been up to par with other ranked teams from Power Five conferences. It is the main reason why they have such a low KenPom ranking but they have a conference win over Oregon State and you compete against the teams on your schedule and you can’t blame the Cougars for winning those games that they have played this season.

Washington State has not got upset by any mid-major schools in comparison to some other big-name programs and because of that, the Cougars have remained and stayed undefeated. Washington State has played well of late, especially on defense as well as in their last three games, where their average margin of victory is 22 points.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Looking at Washington State’s early non-conference games and examining their margin of victory is definitely concerning as, in their first four games, the Cougars have won by four or fewer points each of those contests. The combined records of opponents they have played this season are 14 wins and 39 losses. Two of the teams in Northwestern State and Idaho have a combined record of 1-17.

The only team they have defeated with a winning record thus far has been fellow Pac-12 member Oregon State who is currently 4-3. Washington State’s offense has been for the majority of the season inconsistent, as they have had mightily struggled to score over 62 points in certain games. Twice this season, the Cougars have scored only 59 or fewer points and in two other games Washington State has only put up 62 or fewer points against their opponents that they have squared off against.

Though, to put it in comparison as of late, in two recent contests, the Cougars have put up 82 and 90 points. In other words, Washington State has shown that they are capable of scoring over 80 points as witnessed in those two games.

The Cougars will be tested in conference play and after their game against Arizona State was postponed and them playing Arizona this weekend, they will be on the road for their next four conference contests after that. We shall see how much longer Washington State can remain undefeated as they will be tested early and often to start 2021.

Next Opponent: Arizona on 01/02

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