Washington State Cougars vs San Francisco Dons Picks and Prediction for Sunday, January 18, 2026
Washington State and San Francisco meet Sunday night at The Sobrato Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. San Francisco enters at 12-8 overall and 4-3 in the West Coast Conference, while Washington State sits at 8-11 overall and 3-3 in conference play. ESPN Analytics heavily favors the Dons in this matchup. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.
Washington State Preview
Washington State has struggled to build momentum, dropping three of the last five games with losses to Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and Seattle. The Cougars average 74.6 points per game but give up 76.5, which has put constant pressure on the offense to keep pace. Ace Glass leads the scoring at 15.9 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 85.5 percent at the line, making him the most reliable perimeter option. Eemeli Yalaho adds 5.8 rebounds per game, though Washington State ranks behind San Francisco on the glass at 35.4 rebounds per contest.
Washington State is shooting 45.9 percent overall and 35.0 percent from three. Turnovers have been an issue, with 13.7 per game limiting the Cougars from having long scoring runs. Jerone Morton leads the team with 2.8 assists, but ball movement remains inconsistent against disciplined half-court defenses. On the road, these problems have been magnified against teams that control tempo.
San Francisco Preview
San Francisco has been more stable despite a recent home loss to Saint Mary’s. The Dons average 75.3 points per game while allowing just 69.3, giving them a clear scoring margin edge. Ryan Beasley leads the team with 14.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, while David Fuchs anchors the interior with 7.5 rebounds per contest. San Francisco also holds a rebounding advantage at 38.4 per game, which works well against a Washington State team that struggles on the defensive glass.
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Shooting has been a strength for San Francisco, with multiple players scoring in double figures and a team field goal percentage of 44.0. Tyrone Riley IV has shot well from the perimeter at 45.2 percent from three, stretching defenses and opening lanes. The Dons have taken care of the ball, averaging 11.2 turnovers per game, which helps protect late-game leads.
San Francisco vs Washington State Prediction
The matchup points toward San Francisco controlling the pace and limiting second-chance opportunities. Washington State’s scoring depth is thin, especially when opponents contain Glass, and the Cougars have not defended consistently enough to survive long scoring droughts.
Prediction & Best Bets: San Francisco wins 78-68. The best play is San Francisco to win outright, with the Dons also covering a moderate spread if available. The total leans under, given Washington State’s inconsistency on the road and San Francisco’s ability to slow the game when leading.
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