Originally published Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Cougars' DeAngelo Casto expected back in lineup vs. Arizona

Washington State apparently will have center DeAngelo Casto for Thursday night's important Pac-10 basketball game at Arizona.

By Bud Withers

Seattle Times staff reporter

Thursday

WSU @ Arizona, 5:30 p.m., FSN

Washington State apparently will have center DeAngelo Casto for Thursday night's important Pac-10 basketball game at Arizona.

Casto, who sprained an ankle but returned late in WSU's victory over California last week, was deemed questionable Tuesday by coach Ken Bone. But Casto practiced later that day and is expected to play against the Wildcats.

"It would hurt us if DeAngelo is not out there," said Bone.

WSU is 17-8 overall, 7-6 in the Pac-10 and, after disheartening losses against Oregon and Stanford, in need of something to buff its credentials for the NCAA basketball tournament.

Arizona is 21-4 and 10-2 and leading the Pac-10. It features forward Derrick Williams, the probable leader for Pac-10 player-of-the-year honors, and Casto is WSU's only player who is close to a physical match for him.

The Wildcats are on a seven-game winning streak, started in January when they won at WSU, 65-63, in a game the Cougars led by eight midway through the second half. In that one, Casto limited Williams to 4-of-13 shooting, but the bullish Arizona sophomore had 19 rebounds.

As for WSU's immediate future, Bone said, "Anybody that's in our situation has a sense of urgency to do well. ... We still have a chance."

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com

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