Each Pac-12 basketball arena has unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, ranging from its capacity to the way it’s structured and its history and tradition.

In this 12-part series, I look at what makes each facility unique, and recount some of the key moments and stats* in the Pac-12 Era. We continue in this 11th installment with Washington State’s Beasley Coliseum.

Beasley Coliseum

Built: 1973
Capacity: 12,058
Elevation: 2,550 feet

Overall Record: 82-61
Overall Conference Record: 30-51
Overall Nonconference Record: 52-10

Christened with a new gray court design in 2019 and a video scoreboard in 2011, Beasley Coliseum has undergone a bit of a retrofit during the Pac-12 Era. The rebirth of the floor, featuring the landscape of the State of Washington, goes hand-in-hand with the burgeoning renaissance that Kyle Smith is building on the Palouse.

Last season, the first-year coach led the program to its best win at home since the Conference expanded, upsetting No. 8 Oregon by 11. Earlier in the year, Klay Thompson’s jersey was retired in front of over 10,000 fans as the Cougs took down Oregon State.

And heading into 2020-21, Smith has the fourth-best recruiting class in the Pac-12 and the 33rd overall class in the nation.

All that momentum should do wonders for the program, as the prior eight years at Beasley were underwhelming. Apart from the Oregon win and victories over No. 23 UCLA in 2013 and No. 25 UCLA in 2016, Washington State hasn’t notched any ranked wins.

Out of conference, the arena played host to Game One of the CBI Championship in 2012. In that matchup, WSU took down Pitt, and earlier in the tournament the Cougs beat Wyoming at Beasley.

Former coach Ken Bone secured a win over Fresno State in 2012 and Pepperdine in 2013, and Ernie Kent posted a win over UTEP in 2015.

Otherwise, the arena is marked by bad losses to New Orleans by 16, UC Davis by 14, San Jose State by 12, and Idaho by 6.

The only outlier defeat of the Smith Era was the loss to Omaha by eight last November.

Still, the Cougs have a losing record in Conference play, and all but Arizona State, Colorado, and UCLA are above .500 in Pullman. Arizona is undefeated in the arena, Washington has six wins, and Utah, Stanford, Oregon, USC, and OSU each have five victories.

And WSU hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2008 when it advanced to the Sweet 16.

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Putting all that aside, there is undeniable momentum heading into the new decade. The winning records over the Sun Devils, Buffs, and Bruins are tangible stats to rally around. All three programs are considered potential tournament teams this season, and victories over each in Pullman are achievable goals Smith can strive for.

In the long run, the lack of a signature nonconference win must be addressed. Realistically, a team from the Mountain West is the most likely victim. A solid win over the likes of Nevada, Boise State, San Diego State, or even New Mexico would add fuel to the recruiting fire building in Pullman.

Until then, it’s one step at a time on the Palouse.

Records vs. Top 25 and When Ranked

Record v. Top 25: 3-13
Record v. Top 25 When Unranked: 3-13
Record v. Top 25 When Ranked: 0-0

Record When Ranked: 0-0

Highest Home-Game Rankings

Highest Ranking for Home Game: Unranked
Victory over Highest Ranked Team: No. 8 Oregon (2020)

Highest Ranked Opponent: No. 5 Arizona (2017)

Noteworthy Wins

Noteworthy Conference Wins: No. 8 Oregon (2020); No. 23 UCLA (2013); No. 25 UCLA (2016)

Noteworthy Nonconference Wins: Pitt (2012 CBI Championship Game One); Fresno State (2012); Wyoming (2012 CBI); Pepperdine (2013); UTEP (2015)

Blemish Losses

New Orleans by 16 (2016)
UC Davis by 14 (2017)
San Jose State by 12 (2016)
Omaha by 8 (2019)
Idaho by 6 (2014)

Record of Pac-12 Teams at Beasley Coliseum

Arizona: 7-0
Washington: 6-3
Stanford: 5-2
USC: 5-2
Utah: 5-2
Oregon: 5-3
Oregon State: 5-3
California: 4-3
Arizona State: 3-4
Colorado: 3-4
UCLA: 3-4

*Stats courtesy of sports-reference.com

—Up Next—

UW’s Alaska Airlines Arena

—Previously—

Utah’s John M. Huntsman Center

Colorado’s CU Events Center

Arizona State’s Desert Financial Arena

Arizona’s McKale Center

UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion

USC’s Galen Center

Stanford’s Maples Pavilion

California’s Haas Pavilion

Oregon State’s Gill Coliseum

Oregon’s Matthew Knight Arena

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