Attention, college hoop fans! Did you know that a top-10 men's basketball team is coming to Seattle to play at KeyArena? "Who is it?" you ask? Another highly ranked Gonzaga team coming to play in the annual Battle in Seattle? A tough NCAA opponent set to take on the Huskies in a rare game at the Key?

Nope. It's those Washington State Cougars, bringing their (at press time) #6 and #7 rankings, in the ESPN/USA Today and AP polls, respectively, to Seattle for a special nonconference game. In case you hadn't heard, the Cougars are undefeated this season, and the Cougar Hardwood Classic (Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.) is your best chance to check them out without trekking five hours east to Pullman.

This is the third year Washington State has played a Seattle-based home game, but the previous two games didn't draw the national fanfare of this year's Classic. Building on last year's NCAA tournament run and this season's winning start, the Cougars are hoping to generate more excitement at KeyArena than they have at past Classic games, against Utah and San Diego State, that flew under the local sports radar.

The 2007 Cougar Hardwood Classic pits WSU against The Citadel Bulldogs from the Southern Basketball Conference. Ticket and game information can be found at Ticketmaster and at the official game Web site. Look for special pregame activities and rallies to take place around Seattle Center before the game.

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