Washington State Cougars vs. Loyola Marymount Lions Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Use Code WWWC It’s a contest of teams from the WCC on the hardwood as the Washington State Cougars to battle the Loyola Marymount Lions Wednesday night and we have you covered with our Washington State vs. Loyola Marymount prediction. Washington State was dropped 83-67 at home by Saint Mary’s in their previous contest Saturday, failing to cover the line as an 8.5-point underdog. Loyola Marymount comes in off a 77-65 road win over San Diego in their previous contest Saturday, covering the line as a 2.5-point favorite. In the all-time series between the schools, the Cougars own a 5-2 advantage and have won the last four meetings, including a 78-76 home win in the first matchup this season January 2. Read more about this Washington State vs. Loyola Marymount prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Get our top NCAAB Betting Picks and increase your bankroll!
Washington State Looking to Close Regular Season Strong
Washington State comes in with four losses in their last five games after falling to Saint Mary’s at home and try to finish the regular season strong. The Cougars enter this game 12-17 overall and stand sixth in the WCC with a 7-9 mark in conference play. Against Saint Mary’s, Washington State led by as many as seven in the opening half but trailed 40-38 at intermission. The Cougars took their last lead at 42-40 in the opening minute of the second half but gave up the next six points. They never got even the rest of the way. Washington State shot 43.9% from the field, including seven of 19 from three-point range, and allowed Saint Mary’s to shoot 54.2% in the game. ND Okafor and Ace Glass each had 15 points to lead the Cougars in the loss.
For the year, the Cougars are putting up an average of 76.6 points per game on the year, putting them 164th in the nation in scoring offense. Washington State collects 34.1 rebounds per game (261st) while dishing out 13.4 assists a night this season. The Cougars are giving up an average of 77.6 points a game for the year, putting them 288th in scoring defense this season. Rihards Vavers (11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds) and Tomas Thrastarson (9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds) are the top scoring options for Washington State this season. Ace Glass (16 points), Emmanuel Ugbo, Jerone Morton, ND Okafor (11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds), Eemeli Yalaho (10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds), Simon Hildebrandt, Adria Rodriguez, Parker Gerrits and Kase Wynott are guys that have to be efficient offensively in order to help the Cougars sustain their success. Washington State shoots 47.4% from the field on the year, putting them 58th in the nation. The Cougars are draining 9.5 three-pointers a night while shooting 37.3% from beyond the arc on the year. Washington State is above average at the charity stripe as they convert 73.8% of their attempts at the line, putting them 133rd in the nation.
Key Injury Report for Washington State:
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- Forward Emmanuel Ugbo (suspension) is out.
- Guard Kase Wynott (hip) is questionable.
Lions Try to Roar at Home
Loyola Marymount stopped a two-game slide as they took care of business down the stretch against San Diego on the road in their previous contest. The Lions improved to 14-15 overall and stand ninth in the WCC with a 5-11 mark in conference action. Against San Diego, Loyola Marymount took a 7-2 lead early, pushed the margin to as many as 15 in the opening half, and took a six-point edge at intermission. The Lions found themselves tied at 51 midway through the second half before regaining control with a 9-2 run to go up seven with 7:36 to go en route to the win. Loyola Marymount hit a sizzling 57.8% from the floor, eight of 17 from three-point range, and outscored San Diego 21-7 in fast break points. Jan Vide poured in 23 points to lead the Lions in the win.
The Lions are averaging 75.2 points per contest on the year, putting them 202nd in the nation in scoring offense. Loyola Marymount collects 34.3 rebounds per contest and dish out an average of 13.3 assists per contest. The Lions have been slightly above average defensively, allowing an average of 72.5 points per contest, which is 136th in the nation. Myron Amey Jr. leads the team with 14.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a night this season. He is one of four players averaging in double figures this season. Rodney Brown Jr. (14.2 points), Jalen Shelley (13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds), Jan Vide (12 points, 3.8 assists) and Aaron McBride (6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds) provide secondary scoring options. AJ Thomas, Rokas Jocius, Josh Dalton, Nakyel Shelton and Rick Issanza are key contributors in the rotation for the Lions this season. The Lions shoot 46.2% from the field as a team this season. Loyola Marymount averages 8.4 three-pointers a night while knocking down 35.2% from beyond the arc. The Lions are sinking 70.2% of their attempts at the charity stripe this season, putting them 252nd in Division I.
Key Injury Report for Loyola Marymount:
- Center Rick Issanza (undisclosed) is questionable.
- Forward Jalen Shelley (undisclosed) is questionable.
Washington State vs. Loyola Marymount Pick
Washington State vs. Loyola Marymount Spread Pick
- Loyola Marymount +9.5 (4 units)
Washington State has struggled down the stretch and come in with four losses in their last five games. The Cougars are a putrid 1-9 on the road this season and have dropped their last six as the visiting team. Washington State has had problems on the glass and stopping opposing teams from putting points on the board. Loyola Marymount is just 9-7 at home on the year but they do come in off a victory. The Lions have solid scoring depth and they are decent on the defensive end. They should be able to keep up with the Cougars and find a way to deal Washington State another road defeat.
Washington State vs. Loyola Marymount Over/Under Pick
- Over 149.5 (4 units)
Washington State is 232nd in defensive efficiency this season. In addition, the team is a putrid 308th in field goal percentage defense (46.6%) and 322nd in forced turnovers per game (10.1) on the year. The Cougars have gone over the total in 15 of their 28 games on the season though that is mainly due to defensive issues as they have surrendered at least 81 points 12 times this season. Washington State is 176th in adjusted tempo with 67.3 possessions a night. Loyola Marymount has seen the over post a 14-14 mark in their 28 games with a posted total this season. The Lions are 129th in field goal percentage, 107th in effective field goal percentage (53.4%), 121st in three-point shooting but are just 252nd in free throw shooting on the year. Loyola Marymount is 213th in offensive efficiency though they are 97th in defensive efficiency. The Lions are average in terms of tempo with 67.1 possessions a night, ranking 184th in the country according to KenPom. With Washington State’s defensive woes, Loyola Marymount takes advantage to help push this over the number.
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