PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State men’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season with a largely new roster and a goal of building a new identity.
Following a major roster rebuild, the team is focused on simplifying its system and finding ways to play together. Head coach David Riley said the preseason has been a big one for the program.
“We got a lot of new faces so it’s been a really big preseason for us trying to get in some concepts, try to simplify some few things to make sure that we’re able to play together and play hard, and I think that’s just something that takes time,” Riley said.
Among the new faces is senior forward Ronnie Harrison, a transfer from East Texas A&M who brings size and scoring to the frontcourt. Harrison showed that potential in Sunday’s exhibition win over Washington, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Harrison said his experience at several levels has prepared him for the step up.
“I’ve been in JUCO, low major, mid-major, so I just feel like I’ve played against some of the best teams in the country all over. I just feel like I’m ready for it,” Harrison said.
Building chemistry is one of the team’s biggest challenges. Tyler Kropp said the team prioritized that bond during the offseason.
“I would probably say that’s the biggest thing for us in the off-season. It’s just that we had so many new guys. We just saw the way New Mexico had so many returners, how valuable it is and how valuable that chemistry is, so that was a big focus for us in the off-season. As soon as we got on campus we made sure that whenever we had an off day we would spend time together,” Kropp said.
Riley said chemistry will not come quickly. He said the team must practice the concepts and also face game-like pressure to learn how each player competes.
“Well, I think in the early parts you gotta play more. I think that’s something that I learned the last couple years. We do these drills and we make sure we understand the concepts, but you gotta get these guys playing, understand what makes each guy tick, and you gotta put them in pressure situations,” Riley said.
The Cougars open the season November 2 against Davidson in Pullman.
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