SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Returning starters Taylor Rochestie and Aron Baynes lead Washington State in its season opener on Saturday evening against Mississippi Valley State in Pullman.

This is the same team that WSU defeated 71-26 last season in Spokane, the lowest point total for an opponent since 1948. But the Delta Devils recovered to finish 17-16 and advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they lost to UCLA in the first round.

They have a new coach in Sean Woods, and returning players in Michael Clark, Eric Petty and Dwayne Harmason.

Washington State, coming off back-to-back 26-win seasons that tied the school record, has nine freshmen on its team, tied for most in the nation.

"Anywhere from three to five of those young men will play," coach Tony Bennett has said.

The freshman class includes 6-foot-8 DeAngelo Casto, The Associated Press player of the year in Washington who led Spokane's Ferris High to consecutive unbeaten seasons. Other freshmen include Klay Thompson, son of former NBA star Mychal Thompson, Marcus Capers, James Watson, Mike Harthun, Nick Witherill and John Allen.

In the exhibition opener against Lewis-Clark State, Casto led WSU with 18 points, while Thompson added four assists and eight points.

The last time a true freshman started a season opener for the Cougars was in 2004, when Kyle Weaver played 30 minutes and scored six points. Nik Koprivica was the last freshman to start any game for WSU, in 2006.

Despite all the newcomers, Rochestie (10 points per game), Baynes (10 points, 6 rebounds), Daven Harmeling, Caleb Forrest and Koprivica are likely to see significant playing time.

The Cougars open the season with four home homes, including Fairleigh Dickinson next Tuesday, Sacramento State next Friday and Canisius on Nov. 25. They are not ranked in the Top 25.

The Cougars last year finished 26-9 and lost to North Carolina in WSU's first appearance in the Round of 16.