Apple Cup basketball rivalry faces an uncertain future

Washington State won Sunday’s Apple Cup exhibition 84-80 over Washington at Alaska Airlines Arena, where 7,011 fans watched. The result came in a matchup that dates to 1910 and has now been played 301 times, placing it among men’s college basketball’s oldest and most frequent series. Washington’s leading scorers were LeJuan Watts with 28 points, Lathan Sommerville with 19 and Nikola Dzepina with 16 points plus 12 rebounds. Washington State’s Ronnie Harrison led the Cougars with 23 points.

Washington controlled part of the second half with a 50-43 advantage, but Washington State answered with a 13-2 stretch and moved ahead 56-52. The Cougars later held a 79-71 lead with 46 seconds remaining. Washington narrowed the gap to three points, but after Casey Jones missed two free throws, Watts had a potential tying three-pointer deflected away.

The series could be difficult to schedule again. Washington State has only five home games among its 16 nonconference games for 2026-27 and is playing nine on the road, as the program weighs travel against spending more on its roster. Washington coach Danny Sprinkle also has a demanding schedule that includes Maui, BYU, Baylor, Utah and 20 Big Ten games. Washington State coach David Riley said he hopes the teams can arrange a regular game next year and wants to keep the matchup because it matters to the programs and their fans.