The Washington State Cougars take on the Stanford Cardinal. Check out our college basketball odds series for our Washington State Stanford prediction and pick. Find how to watch Washington State Stanford.

The Washington State Cougars and Stanford Cardinal have both beaten the Arizona Wildcats this season, but because Stanford was so bad in nonconference play, the Cardinal are just 9-7 through 16 games and are nowhere near NCAA Tournament consideration. The Cardinal swung and missed on one big nonconference test after another. If they are going to play their way into NCAA Tournament consideration, they need to win seven or eight games in a row. They need to get hot and stay hot if they want to be a discussion point in late February and early March.

Washington State, on the other hand, has a 12-5 record and can at least begin to think about bubble talk after beating Arizona this past Saturday. WSU wasn't especially impressive in nonconference play, but the Cougars didn't lose as many games as Stanford did and have a little more meat on the bone with their resume. Washington State isn't in good position to make the NCAA Tournament, but the Cougars aren't far from the cut line. They are in the conversation and have realistic prospects, something which hasn't regularly been the case for Wazzu over the past decade.

This is a crucial game for two teams in different positions, but both needing to climb into NCAA consideration. Neither team would be in the field if the selection show was held today.

Here are the Washington State-Stanford College Basketball odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

College Basketball Odds: Washington State-Stanford Odds

Washington State Cougars: +2.5 (-106)

Stanford Cardinal: -2.5 (-114)

Over: 144.5 (-115)

Under: 144.5 (-105)

How To Watch Washington State vs Stanford

Time: 11:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm PT

TV: Pac-12 Network

Stream: fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Washington State Could Cover the Spread

The Cougars are playing really well. They outplayed Arizona for most of the game. Isaac Jones was the best player on the floor for Washington State. He was brilliant, and he carried his team to a win. If he continues to play the way he is playing, Washington State has to feel really good about its chances. Coach Kyle Smith is doing a great job of bringing this roster together, and it's hard to ignore that WSU has real momentum right now. Stanford is talented but very inconsistent. A team which beat Arizona and Utah should be far, far better than 9-7, but that's Stanford. The Cardinal cannot string good performances together under head coach Jerod Haase, who is on the hot seat for a reason.

Why Stanford Could Cover the Spread

The Cardinal just did defeat Utah, arguably the second-best team in the Pac-12 behind Arizona. Stanford also beat Arizona, so there is no question that this team, when at its best, is very formidable. When Stanford plays well, it is a rough matchup for a lot of opponents. The Stanford wins over Arizona and Utah both came at home in Maples Pavilion, where this game is being played. It's hard to ignore that advantage for the Cardinal here.

Final Washington State-Stanford Prediction & Pick

This is a very evenly-matched game between two talented but inconsistent teams. It's exactly the kind of game to stay away from. Look elsewhere for a betting play.

Final Washington State-Stanford Prediction & Pick: Washington State +2.5