WSU’s win over No. 5 Arizona vindicates this year’s Cougs

For whatever reason, the early-season struggles of Washington State men’s basketball caused a lot of fans to doubt the direction of the program under Kyle Smith. Despite leading the program out of the depths plumbed by Ken Bone and Ernie Kent, many fans seemed to be wondering: What was the point of getting all these touted recruits if the Cougs couldn’t win when it counted?

Well, WSU has now done exactly that, visiting Tucson and walking away with a prize no visitor had secured in nearly two years: A win over the Arizona Wildcats — ranked 5th in the nation — on their home floor.

As you surely know by now, it was the kind of win that the Cougars have never had before — not under George…