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The Washington State Cougars travel to Los Angeles to face the Loyola Marymount Lions on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. This late-season non-conference matchup takes place at Gersten Pavilion with national television coverage provided by ESPNU. Washington State enters the contest with a 12-17 record and a difficult 2-10 mark on the road while the Lions sit at 14-15 overall with a much more respectable 10-8 record on their home court.
The betting market currently lists the Cougars as a narrow 1.5 point favorite despite their notable struggles away from Pullman this season. The moneyline is hovering around -114 for the visitors and -111 for the home side with the total set at 151.5 points. It is a bit of a peculiar spot for a Pac-12 and West Coast Conference crossover this late in the year, but both teams are clearly looking for a momentum-building win before their respective conference tournaments begin.
Perhaps the most interesting factor here is how the oddsmakers are weighing Washington State’s power conference schedule against their poor road results. The Cougars have shown flashes of high-level play but staying consistent for forty minutes has been a challenge for them. Loyola Marymount is coming off a double-digit win and usually plays with a lot more confidence in their own gym.
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Washington State Cougars vs Loyola Marymount Lions Odds
Bettors should always make it a point to monitor the latest college basketball odds before locking in any wagers as these lines can fluctuate based on late-breaking news or betting volume.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Washington State Cougars | -114 | -1.5 (-108) | O 151.5 (-112) |
| Loyola Marymount Lions | -111 | +1.5 (-117) | U 151.5 (-114) |
Washington State Cougars Betting Form
Washington State is a team that relies heavily on its offensive efficiency to stay competitive. They currently rank 62nd in the nation in field goal percentage at 47.3 percent and they are even more impressive when you look at their 55.7 percent effective field goal percentage. This suggests they are taking and making high-value shots, specifically from beyond the arc where they average 9.5 made three-pointers per game. ND Okafor and Rihards Vavers have been the primary catalysts recently, though they are trying to shake off a recent double-digit loss to Saint Mary’s.
I think the most telling stat for the Cougars is their performance when the market expects them to win. They have won 11 out of 15 games as a favorite and have covered the spread in 60 percent of those situations. They seem to handle the pressure of being the better team on paper quite well. For a deeper look at their seasonal trends you can check the Washington State stats and results.
Availability in the frontcourt remains a priority for their coaching staff as we reach the end of February. It is always smart to check the Washington State Cougars injury report before betting because their rotation can be a bit thin if one of their primary shooters is sidelined. If they can find their range early in Los Angeles they have the offensive ceiling to pull away from the Lions.
Loyola Marymount Lions Betting Form
The Lions are a different team when they play at Gersten Pavilion. Their 10-8 home record compared to their overall sub-.500 mark shows that they feed off the local energy. They are coming off a solid 77-65 win over San Diego where Jan Vide and Rodney Brown combined for 42 points. When they get that kind of production from their backcourt they are a tough out for anyone in the WCC. Myron Amey Jr. remains their most consistent scoring threat averaging nearly 15 points per game.
Loyola Marymount currently sports an effective field goal percentage of 53.4 percent which is solid but slightly behind what Washington State brings to the table. They do a decent job of maintaining pressure and forced enough mistakes in their last game to control the tempo. You can follow their recent performance and upcoming games by visiting the Loyola Marymount schedule and stats.
Bettors should keep an eye on the Loyola Marymount Lions injury report to ensure their primary ball handlers are active. Their offense tends to stagnate if Jan Vide isn’t there to create shots for others. They will need to be extremely efficient at home to offset a Washington State team that usually shoots the ball better than the average opponent they see in conference play.
Washington State Cougars vs Loyola Marymount Lions Matchup Breakdown
This matchup comes down to Washington State’s perimeter shooting versus Loyola Marymount’s home-court advantage. The Cougars are one of the better three-point shooting teams in the country and if they hit their average of nine or ten triples it puts a lot of stress on the LMU defense. I think the pace will be relatively high given that both teams have effective field goal percentages that rank in the top third of college basketball.
The Cougars have a significant edge in raw shooting talent but their 2-10 road record is a massive red flag. Perhaps they haven’t traveled well because of the level of competition in the Pac-12 but LMU is a disciplined group that won’t just let them walk into open looks. If you are looking for more insight on how to weigh these factors you might find value in a college basketball betting guide that explains road fatigue and shooting variance.
- Washington State ranks 42nd in effective field goal percentage (55.7%).
- Loyola Marymount is 10-8 at home this season.
- The Cougars average 9.5 made three-pointers per game.
- WSU has won 11 of 15 games when listed as the betting favorite.
Washington State Cougars vs Loyola Marymount Lions Predictions and Best Bets
I am leaning toward the Cougars in this spot despite their poor road record. The line is small enough that it is essentially a pick’em and Washington State simply has more ways to score. Their ability to hit shots from deep should eventually wear down the Lions’ perimeter defense. I think the projected score of 78-75 in favor of the Cougars is a realistic expectation and they have proven they can cover these short spreads when favored.
Regarding the total I think the Over is the right play. Both teams are efficient enough offensively that a 151.5 total feels slightly low. With Washington State’s high volume of three-pointers and LMU’s solid home scoring the game is likely to push past the 153 point mark. I expect a lot of back and forth action with neither defense being able to put together long stretches of stops.
The value on the moneyline at -114 for Washington State is also worth considering if you want to avoid the 1.5 points but I’ll stick with the spread for the official play. The Cougars’ shooting efficiency is the deciding factor for me in what should be a very competitive late-night game.
Best Bet: Washington State Cougars -1.5 (-108)
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