Washington State women's basketball had yet to win a conference tournament game as a program until last year, when the Cougars upset sixth-seeded Oregon State in first round of the Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament in March.

And then the Cougars did it again the next night, shocking third-seeded USC to advance to Staples Center and the Pac-12 semifinals. While the road ended there with a hard-fought loss to Cal, June Daugherty's team was eager to get back at it soon thereafter.

"They went in there and had that taste [of postseason success], and they liked that," the always-optimistic Daugherty said, also noting that after losing to Cal, "immediately these kids wanted to get back in the gym in the spring...We came back in fall camp fitness-wise the best shape I've ever seen in 30 years of coaching."

The Cougars have hopes of translating that hard work into success throughout the year, starting with a tough non-conference slate that features games against Ohio State, Louisville and Gonzaga.