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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.Carolina Hurricanes Store . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Fake Hurricanes Jerseys .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Carolina Hurricanes Gear . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period.PHILADELPHIA -- If the Chicago White Sox are going to limit their opponents offensively, theyre going to need to keep them from running rampant on the basepaths.In a 7-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night, the White Sox allowed three stolen bases before Cesar Hernandez was thrown out trying to steal second in the eighth inning.That continues a troubling theme with rookie catcher Omar Narvaez behind the plate. In 215 innings, he allowed 21 stolen bases while catching only two runners, a success rate of 8.7 percent.Those steals proved troublesome against the Phillies (69-83), with Odubel Herrera (two) and rookie Roman Quinn putting themselves in scoring position for the top four of the Philadelphia lineup that went 8-for-15 on Tuesday.Manager Robin Ventura, though, didnt seem too worried afterward about the trend, hesitating to put all the blame on the 24-year-old from Venezuela who was first called up in July.Youre going to need some help from your pitchers, Ventura said. Those guys are pretty speedy, so its not for a lack of trying or having the arm to do it. Its just youve got to be able to time it up right.Stealing bases isnt something new to the Phillies, who are 11th in the majors in steals (87). But the addition of Quinn, a 23-year old rookie, to the lineup -- Phillies manager Pete Mackanin has had him batting second in the order -- gives them another set of afterburners on the base paths.Quinn has elite level speed, Jake Thompson said after winning Tuesdays game. Its fun watching those guys get going out there. Theres probably only maybe three or four teams in the league that have someone who can run like Quinn.dddddddddddd Whenever he gets his feet going, its fun to watch.Ventura has a veteran to help Narvaez out on the mound Wednesday in Chris Sale as the White Sox (72-79) attempt to even the two-game series.Sale (16-8, 3.03 ERA) can equal his career high for wins in a season. Hes one behind the 17 he won in 2012, his first season as a full-time starter and first of five straight All-Star appearances.In three September starts, hes 1-1 with a 2.52 ERA, striking out 30 against two walks in 25 innings.The Phillies counter with Jerad Eickhoff, who has been steady all season long despite a general lack of run support (3.4 runs per game), going 10-14 with a 3.74 ERA in his first full major league season.Since the All-Star break, hes 4-4 with a 3.66 ERA, though hes coming off a bit of a rough outing, when he gave up a three-run seventh-inning home run as part of allowing six runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings of a 15-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday.Eickhoff could benefit from the continued surge of center fielder Odubel Herrera, who is 15-for-28 over his last seven games after a 3-for-4, three-RBI performance Tuesday.Herreras swinging the bat very well and thats really nice to see, manager Pete Mackanin said. We needed him to do that. He looks like hes getting more selective. Hes not taking those wild swings and its paying off. ' ' '