Washington State Cougars vs Portland Pilots Picks & Predictions for Sunday December 28 2025
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Introduction
The Washington State Cougars open WCC action on the road against the Portland Pilots at the Chiles Center. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM on ESPN+. Washington State enters off back-to-back wins, while Portland has dropped two straight and has struggled against stronger opponents recently. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions.
Cougars Trending Up: Washington State Brings Momentum Into WCC Play
Washington State comes into this matchup at 5-8 overall, but the recent momentum is notable with a two-game win streak. Their profile is a bit different than Portland’s: Washington State scores 76.2 points per game and allows 77.3, which suggests a team that can compete but isn’t always efficient enough to separate.
The Cougars shoot 47% from the field, rebound at 34.3 per game, and their assist number (12.5 per game) is more modest than Portland’s, which tells you they may rely more on individual creation or simpler actions rather than a high-pass offense. The good news is they’ve shown the ability to win games recently and they enter as the road favorite.
Their top scorer is Ace Glass, averaging 15.9 PPG on 48.9% shooting and an excellent 89.4% from the free-throw line. That free-throw reliability matters when you’re laying points on the road, because close games get decided at the stripe.
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Portland at Home: Can the Pilots Stabilize After Two Straight Losses?
Portland is 7-6 overall, and while they’ve had some productive offensive games, their overall profile is volatile. They average 81.7 points per game, but they also allow 81.9, which is a defensive number that invites shootouts—and those are dangerous when the other team is more efficient late-game.
Portland shoots an impressive 50% from the field and averages 19.2 assists per game, which is a big edge in ball movement compared to Washington State. The problem is their recent results: losses at UC Santa Barbara and Oregon by large margins suggest that when the competition level rises, their defense has trouble holding up.
Portland’s leading scorer is Joel Foxwell, at 13.0 PPG on 43.8% shooting with 75.0% at the line. Portland doesn’t rely on a massive single scorer based on this data, so they’ll need team offense to show up—especially if Washington State’s defense can force them into tougher possessions.
Key Points To Watch For
- Washington State is favored at -5.5, with a 67.1% matchup predictor edge
- Portland shoots 50%, but allows nearly the same points they score
- Washington State has a two-game win streak, Portland has a two-game losing streak
- Total sits at 153.5, which aligns more with Portland’s pace than Washington State’s
Washington State Cougars vs Portland Pilots Pick
My best pick is Washington State -5.5. Even though Washington State’s overall record is not pretty, the recent two-game win streak combined with Portland’s defensive profile is why I’m siding with the road favorite. Portland can score, but they’ve been giving up too many points, and their last two games show what happens when they face higher-level opponents.
My lean pick is Over 153.5. Portland’s games naturally push toward higher totals because they score and allow points at similar levels. If Washington State covers, it’s likely because they’re able to score efficiently enough to take advantage of Portland’s defense. That kind of script often brings the total along for the ride. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Portland with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on Washington State by using the sportsbook promos. Make sure when you place your Portland vs Washington State bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.
Final Score Prediction:
Washington State 82, Portland 74
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