PULLMAN, Wash. -- It'll take more than a 31-point loss at Oregon to lessen BYU coach Steve Cleveland's optimism. He's hopeful the Cougars (2-4) can bounce back Tuesday at Washington State (3-4) as BYU seeks its first win in three tries against Pacific-10 Conference foes this season.
"I believe this is a winnable game but only if we come to compete," said Cleveland. "I was disappointed in how we competed against Oregon. We need to have a different mindset than what we had against Oregon."Tipoff is set for 9 p.m., MST. The late game, which follows a Washington State women's contest, will be televised live on KSL, Ch. 5.
BYU makes the journey without starting center Bret Jepsen. The 6-foot-11 junior is still recovering from an intentional elbow thrown to his face by Arizona's Eugene Edgerson on Nov. 28. A neurosurgeon elevated Jepsen's concussion to grade three status Thursday -- preventing the BYU pivotman from making the trip to the Northwest. Team doctors hope to Jepsen riding a stationary bike next week. His status for next weekend's Cougar Classic is doubtful.
In the meantime, BYU continues to be at a height disadvantage without Jepsen. Cleveland is expected to start a line-up with Silester Rivers (6-7), Mark Bigelow (6-6) and Nathan Cooper (6-5) manning the frontline. Washington State's center Leif Nelson is 6-10.
Guard Jan-Michael Thomas (12.7 ppg) and forward Kojo Mensah-Bonsu (12. ppg) are Washington State's leading scorers.