Portland Pilots vs Washington State Cougars Picks and Predictions for Friday March 6 2026
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The Portland Pilots and Washington State Cougars meet in the West Coast Conference Tournament – 2nd Round on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN+. Portland enters the matchup after advancing through the opening round of the tournament, while Washington State earned a bye into the second round after finishing higher in the conference standings. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting analysis and daily predictions.
Portland Pilots Enter with Fresh Tournament Momentum
The Portland Pilots enter the West Coast Conference Tournament second round with a 14-18 overall record and a 6-12 WCC conference record. The Pilots advanced to this stage after a 77-68 victory over Pepperdine in the first round. Over their last several games, Portland has recently won over Pepperdine and San Diego while recently losing to Gonzaga, Seattle, and Pepperdine earlier in the regular season.
Portland averages 74.6 points per game while allowing 78.7 points per contest, reflecting a team that can score but has struggled defensively at times. The Pilots shoot 47% from the field and average 33.4 rebounds per game, while producing 16.6 assists per contest, one of the better ball-movement numbers in the conference. Defensively, Portland contributes 2.9 blocks and 6.1 steals per game, showing the ability to generate defensive stops in key moments.
In the opening-round win over Pepperdine, Jermaine Ballisager Webb led Portland with 22 points, shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the field and providing a steady offensive presence. Dante Censori-Hercules led the team with 9 rebounds, including multiple offensive boards that helped Portland control possessions. Joel Foxwell also added 8 assists, highlighting Portland’s balanced offense. With the short turnaround, Portland’s offensive rhythm and rebounding effort could be key factors against Washington State.
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Washington State Looks to Bounce Back with Extra Rest
The Washington State Cougars enter the WCC Tournament with a 12-19 overall record and a 7-11 conference record, earning a bye into the second round of the tournament. Washington State closed the regular season with inconsistent results, as the Cougars have recently lost to Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Saint Mary’s, and Gonzaga while recently winning over Pacific.
Washington State averages 76.4 points per game while allowing 77.6 points per contest. The Cougars shoot 47% from the field and average 34.3 rebounds per game, while recording 13.6 assists per contest. Defensively, Washington State averages 3.0 blocks and 5.6 steals per game, showing an ability to protect the rim but occasionally struggling to slow high-scoring opponents.
In their most recent game, an 88-79 loss to Pepperdine, Ace Glass led the Cougars with 22 points, shooting 9-of-21 from the field while continuing to serve as the team’s primary scoring threat. ND Okafor led Washington State with 10 rebounds, helping the Cougars remain competitive on the glass. Washington State will look to improve its defensive intensity after allowing 88 points in that game while leaning on Glass’ scoring ability to regain momentum in tournament play.
Portland Pilots vs Washington State Cougars Pick
Portland Pilots vs Washington State Cougars Spread Pick
- Pick: Washington State Cougars Moneyline
Washington State enters this matchup with the advantage of rest and slightly stronger scoring production throughout the season. While Portland arrives with momentum from its opening-round victory, the Cougars have the scoring leadership of Ace Glass and enough offensive depth to create problems for a Portland defense that allows nearly 79 points per game. With fresher legs and the ability to push the tempo, Washington State has the edge in this tournament matchup.
Portland Pilots vs Washington State Cougars Total Pick
- Pick: Over 150.5
I like the over in this matchup because both teams play at a pace that produces scoring opportunities. Portland averages nearly 75 points per game and moves the ball well offensively, while Washington State also averages over 76 points per contest. With both defenses allowing close to 78 points per game and tournament games often producing late fouls and free throws, I expect this matchup to push the total over.
Final Score Prediction: Washington State Cougars 82, Portland Pilots 78
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