Preview: Washington State Cougars at Seattle Redhawks

SEATTLE (Interstat) — A surging Seattle men’s basketball team, boasting one of the nation’s best records, will host cross-state foe Washington State on Tuesday night at Key Arena.

The Redhawks (11-2) have won seven consecutive games, including a 70-66 victory over Pac-12 member Washington on Dec. 19 and a narrow 71-68 road win at Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 22. Seattle’s only losses this season came at UC Santa Barbara in overtime and against Stanford.

Washington State (6-8) seeks consistency, having alternated wins and losses over its past six games. The Cougars are coming off a 67-62 road victory at Portland on Sunday.

A key matchup will feature Seattle guard Brayden Maldonado against Washington State forward Rihards Vavers. Maldonado has been a steady force for the Redhawks, averaging 14.5 points over his last four games and scoring 28 in a win over UTEP on Dec. 7. Vavers has provided scoring punch for the Cougars, reaching double figures in five of his last six contests, including 13 points in the win over Portland.

Seattle’s defense has been a cornerstone of its success, holding opponents to an average of 66.2 points per game during its win streak. Washington State’s offense, averaging 74.4 points per game, will test that defense. The Cougars have shown they can score in bunches, putting up 90 points in a win at Chaminade and 98 against Southern Utah, but have also been held under 65 points in four of their eight losses.

The Redhawks have excelled in close games, winning their last three by a combined 10 points. Washington State is 2-5 in games decided by single digits.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings this season between the programs. They are slated to play again in Pullman on Jan. 28.

Following this game, Seattle begins a tough road stretch at Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. Washington State returns home to host Loyola Marymount on Jan. 2.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST Tuesday at Key Arena.