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The Sad State of Cougars’ Basketball

By Ben Renner

Feb 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Gabe Bealer (30) goes up for a shot against Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 88-47. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Gabe Bealer (30) goes up for a shot against Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 88-47. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cougars need to show something in the last month of the season after falling to 1-12 in the Pac-12 with their latest loss, an 88-47 embarrassment at the hands of Utah on Sunday.

Ernie Kent was brought in to energize a team that has struggled in recent years, but the process would take time. For any coach except maybe John Calipari, building a team with recruiting sometimes takes many seasons, especially at a traditional football college like Washington State University. Kent, in his second year with the Cougars, hasn’t been able to find anyone to complement Josh Hawkinson and Que Johnson, both in their junior years.

The Cougars were smothered by Utah in their latest loss, an 88-47 debacle in which they shot a mere 30 percent from the field. They had no answer for Jakob Poeltl in the paint, and once again they looked out-manned. Hiring Ernie Kent was no mistake for the Cougars because Kent has proven himself as a team builder and leader with the Oregon Ducks, but they need a win or two at the end of the year to give him something to build on for next season.

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The Cougars aren’t just 12th in the Pac-12, they’re three games behind 11th place Arizona State. They’ve won one game in conference all year. If they don’t show something over the last month of the season, they could very well cost poor Ernie Kent his job. Firing Kent would be unfair, but you can’t deny that the Cougars haven’t responded well to his system this year and his seat appears to be heating up. If the Cougars want to play for him next year, they have to play for his job for the rest of the season and at least make a run at pulling out of the Pac-12 cellar.

Next: Why the Cougars Could be Pac-12 Champions

The Cougars face 10th place Stanford at home on Thursday.

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