n?will miss an extended period of time after sustaining an ankle

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State coach Ernie Kent is promising his third season will see an improvement in the Cougars talent level.That would be good news after a forgettable campaign last season that saw Washington State finish 9-22 overall and just 1-17 in the Pac-12.There was lots of roster churn after the season, and this years edition of the Cougars also took a tour of Italy to hone their basketball skills.With the talent level coming in the door, I think people should be pleasantly surprised when they see this team play, Kent said. Much improved shooting, passing and defense.A better team may also help increase the average of 2,800 fans at home games last season.The Cougars have some bright spots.Most notable is Josh Hawkinson, who averaged 15.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game last season and led the Pac-12 in rebounding and with 20 double-doubles. The 6-foot-10 forward is now a senior and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention last season.Hawkinson said he must do more to help the team.Ive got to step up more defensively, he said. I can be more of a distributor.Also back is senior guard Ike Iroegbu, who averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 assists, and guard Charles Callison, who recorded 7.9 points and 3 assists per game.Kent promised an up-tempo game last season, but didnt have the athletes to deliver. He believes the six newcomers on the roster are more suited to faster play.This team will be able to score more so we can speed the game up again, Kent said. Theres a different talent level, and a different energy coming in the door that allows us to play at a higher level.Among the newcomers is Malachi Flynn, who had 15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds during WSUs final game in Italy. Freshmen Jeff Pollard, Milan Acquaah and Jamar Ergas are also expected to contribute.Iroegbu said everyone has to contribute this season.It cant just be me and Josh. Iroegbu said. Thats what Italy was for.The Cougars have not made the NCAA Tournament since the 2008 season under former coach Tony Bennett.COACHING CORNER: Kent, the former Oregon coach, led WSU to a 13-18 record, including seven conference wins, in his first season. Last year was quite a drop-off. Washington State did manage to beat No. 25 UCLA at home, then lost 17 games conference game in a row.ECHOES IN BEASLEY: A low-wattage non-conference schedule wont do much to raise attendance at Beasley Coliseum, which averaged 2,800 fans per game last season. No teams from Power 5 conferences are playing a non-conference game in Pullman this year. But fans can see three teams from the Big Sky.QUE CHECKS OUT: Que Johnson, once a highly touted recruit, transferred to Western Kentucky for his senior year, taking his 11.3 points per game with him. Center Valentine Izundo, guard Ny Redding and forward Brett Boese are also gone.THE HAWK: Hawkinson led the team with 33 minutes a game and ranked 11th in the nation in rebounding. He had a streak of 11 consecutive double-doubles.Kyle Schwarber Cubs Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Ben Zobrist Cubs Jersey . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Kerry-Wood-Kids-Jersey/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. 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Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66.Tennessee Volunteers standout cornerback?Cam Sutton?will miss an extended period of time after sustaining an ankle injury early in?Saturdays 28-19 win against Ohio, coach Butch Jones said.Jones will learn more about Suttons injury Sunday, but he said the senior, who turned down the NFL draft to return to Tennessee, will be out for a while. Tennessee hosts Florida?next week before visiting Georgia and Texas A&M.I feel for him and his family, Jones said. This is an individual who is a role model for what a student-athlete is and what it takes to prepare, week in and week out. You give me 11 [players like] Cam Sutton, and wwe will win a lot of football games.dddddddddddd It is very unfortunate.Sutton has started all 41 games in his collegiate career. He had an interception, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 2015 after recording three interceptions in 2014.Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin also left Saturdays game with a shoulder injury, but Jones said he will play against Florida. Tennessee played Saturday without starting middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr., who is out with an ankle injury. ' ' '