If there was any hope of Cal men’s basketball grabbing a road conference win, the assumption is that it needed to happen in Pullman against the defensively deficient Washington State Cougars. But as bad as Wazzu’s defense is under Ernie Kent, it’s no match for an historically bad Cal defense . . . and a Cal offense that has steadily regressed against Pac-12 competition after some encouraging early season signs.
Entering the game, there were reasons for optimism. Would WSU’s best player, Robert Franks, play? And even if he suited up, would he be effective?