Even during an era of Cougar basketball that’s been more synonymous with losing than winning, there’s been two words – or two syllables, whichever you prefer – that have given Washington State’s ever-patient fanbase reason to keep watching.
Robert Franks – “Robo” as he’s affectionately known – has been must-see television the last two seasons and his evolution from a lightly-recruited high school prospect to the Pac-12’s Most Improved Player to the conference’s most menacing scorer at 22.1 points per game, has made him one of college basketball’s top success stories over the last four years, even if his story – and his success – have been obscured by a particularly tough run for Ernie Kent and the Cougars.