Lacy out indefinitely with knee injury

WASHINGTON STATE’S MEN’S BASKETBALL team will be without sophomore guard DaVonté Lacy indefinitely. Coach Ken Bone discussed his absence and how it affects the team, and the Cougars’ upcoming opponent during his Monday morning teleconference.

Bone does not have a timetable for Lacy, who averaged 8.5 points in four games before injuring his knee in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 19 against Kansas, returning.

“It’s still swollen,” Bone said. “At this time, he’s just elevating it and taking the game-ready film to his home.”

He said Lacy will not play until that changes. In his absence, Bone said junior Will DiIorio will gain most of Lacy’s playing time, but walk-ons Dominic Ballard and Bryce Leavitt also will see more minutes.

“All of those kids are really aggressive,” Bone said. “They should have the energy to play hard and be aggressive.”

The 6-foot-5, 190-pound DiIorio averages 3.8 points per game, but shoots 60 percent from the field and has turned the ball over only five times this season. He averages about 16 minutes per game.

“He doesn’t make any mistakes at all,” Bone said. “He’s a valuable piece.”

The Cougars (3-3) play at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Idaho (TV: Pac-12 Networks). The Vandals (1-3) are led by senior center Kyle Barone, who averages 17 points and eight rebounds per game.

Former WSU point guard Reggie Moore led the Cougars to a 66-64 win with less than a second remaining last season at Idaho when he hit a jumper.

“We were fortunate to sneak a win out of there with Reggie hitting a shot,” Bone said.

He said he reads the newspaper daily, which also gives him insight on the Vandals. But his best resource might be his own staff. Assistant coach Ray Lopes held similar duties last season at Idaho.

“We’re going to ask him some questions,” Bone said. “No doubt about it. There’s no big secrets when dealing with the University of Idaho.”