Washington State's Key Games in 2024 West Coast Conference Schedule

The Cougars are playing in a new league this year, which will bring its own challenges. What are some of their biggest matchups?

Mar 21, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Jaylen Wells (0) and guard Myles Rice (2) react in the second half against the Drake Bulldogs in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State is in a brand-new era of basketball, marked by a change of head coach, a roster full of transfers, and even an entrance into the West Coast Conference after the dissolution of the Pac-12.

There is a lot of reason for optimism in Pullman, as there are plenty of talented players joining former Eastern Washington head coach Kyle Smith's upstart team. EWU transfers like Cedric Coward and Dane Erikstrup along with players like Nate Calmese have given fans a reason to be excited about this new campaign.

Given their change of conference, what are some of the biggest games the Cougars will play this season in the WCC?

The 2024-25 conference schedule is here! Nine home games including key matchups with postseason contenders USF, Saint Mary’s, and Gonzaga.

Season tix on sale now! See you in Beasley!#GoCougs // #AgainstTheGrain#WheatfieldUnderdogs 🌾 pic.twitter.com/pL7zBiVwYC

— Washington State Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) August 6, 2024

RELATED: New Washington State Wing Cedric Coward Has NBA Potential

Washington State will open up their conference slate by traveling across the Pacific Northwest to play at Portland, before getting their first WCC home game against Loyola Marymount on December 30th.

Being in a new league, every game is important, but some games are made bigger than others. The most marquee name on the schedule is obviously going to be west coast powerhouse Gonzaga, a team that shares the state with the Cougars and has had vast success over the last two decades.

Washington State makes the short trip to Spokane on January 11th to take on the most dominant WCC team of the last 20 years, before hosting the Bulldogs on February 19th at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.

Though the Zags have been the most prominent team from this conference for a long while, there are plenty of other schools that have had a lot of success in recent years.

This includes last year's regular-season and WCC Tournament champion, the St. Mary's Gaels, with whom the Cougars have a home-and-away series, starting on January 25th in Pullman and ending with a trip to the Bay Area on February 15th.

Other notable matchups include two games against Santa Clara, January 23rd on the road and February 22nd at home, as well as their matchups with San Francisco on January 4th (at home) and February 1st (on the road).

With a reloaded roster, this Washington State Cougars team looks to establish itself in a new conference.