The starting lineup this season should be as follows:
Starters Reserves Other Squad members

C 6'11 Railey New Recruit 6'10 Hawkinson
PF 6'7 Cheatum 6'7 Longrus 6'7 Boese
SF 6'5 Que 6'4 Davis 6'6 Drew
SG 6'3 Lacy 6'1 Ike
PG 5'9 Dunbar 6'2 Redding

This line up should give the team more speed ,quickness and athletic ability so sadly lacking on last years' team.If the new recruit is a good frosh then expect him to slide into the starting position. Railey and Longrus then would give about 12-16 minutes of solid backup work as big men.The shooting should be improved as the faster paced game will allow players to be more comfortable and in better position to score with improved PG play..I expect that about 9-10 players will all see time on the court and will play with more entusiasm and energy this season.

Virginia guard Joe Harris, hailing from the greatest small town in the world, Chelan, Wash., was picked with the No. 33 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft this evening. One pick later, the New York Knicks selected Wichita State forward Cleanthony Early. With the 59th pick, the Toronto Raptors drafted former Washington State and San Diego State guard Xavier Thames, who ended up getting acquired by the Brooklyn Nets.

So what does this all mean? Well, absolutely nothing at all. However, it's hard not to look at what this Washington State hoops program could have looked like over the last few years had a few dominos fell the right way.

Harris, who followed Bennett to Virginia when he left Pullman, still gave some consideration to Ken Bone and staff, though as a family friend of the Harris', I can tell you the interest level was minimum, at best. Anyways, Early actually took an official visit to Washington State and was thought by many to be a lock to land in Pullman before eventually committing to Wichita State and enjoying quite the run with the Shockers. You also all know how the Thames situation went down -- left due to Reggie Moore's edge on the depth chart, among additional rumors, and, well, that turned out not so good.


This post was edited on 6/26 9:41 PM by Britton Ransford

Here's a great feature on Washington State freshman point guard Trevor Dunbar and his journey to the Pac-12 from Matthew Snyder of SLAM Magazine online.

Excerpt...

"The previous Saturday night, upon returning from Grad Night festivities with his departing St. Ignatius senior class, Dunbar had checked in with the Washington State coaching staff via text message.

Dunbar knew that a scholarship offer had recently opened up after a point guard, once committed to the Cougars, had reneged and opted for a different route. Rumor had it that Dunbar was the next name on the list. The next morning, he woke up, tapped his phone and came across this message, from Wazzu.

If we offer, will you come?

"I was like, Yeah," Dunbar says, laughing. "I had visits set up to St. John's that Monday, and I was ready to look at Maryland and Towson, too, but [Washington State] was just the best fit. This way, I get to stay on the West Coast."

That the reaction to Dunbar's commitment triggered a seismic spike of responses on Twitter should give you a sense of his local celebrity, which has reached the point where his highlight reels on YouTube become hotly anticipated events. (They're worth a gander.)

These vids are a showcase for Shift Team, a movement begun by Dunbar that is dedicated to players who showcase a certain level of on-court swag and smooth. Dunbar was the ringmaster, darting this way and that like a record continually skipping. Defenders never quite seem able to catch his beat.

Despite all the Internet clicks (Kyrie Irving is a frequent collaborator on Twitter, and a member of Shift Team) high-major scholarship offers were slow in coming -- until new Washington State coach Ernie Kent extended his hand to Dunbar."

LINK: http://www.slamonline.com/college-hs/college/trevor-dunbar-washington-state/



This post was edited on 6/27 2:17 PM by Britton Ransford

Today is Mr. Raveling's birthday. SIR! You are a good man and basketball has made you younger as the years progress. Never forgotten how much you meant to WSU. Truly a Coug in every sense.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeRaveling

#CoachingForSuccess

Nice start to 2015 for Coach Kent and his staff

Edit: Now it is the front page story.
This post was edited on 6/25 7:07 PM by Coug1990

WSU offer this evening or yesterday. Check the link for the others.

This post was edited on 6/24 6:54 PM by 7ICoug

WSU Committs

According to his Twitter account, Washington State head coach Ernie Kent is in New York this week as Dick Vitale is honored by the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Kent has been involved with the NABC for quite awhile and served as the president during the 2011-12 season. He's currently the associate executive director of the NABC.

Here's a few pictures of his trip thus far...

Kent's invitation...

Kent with Coach John Calipari and ESPN's John Saunders... He prefaced this picture by saying he's hoping to get a game in Pullman with Kentucky. I'm unable to confirm whether he was serious or not.

Kent with Vitale and Coach K...

Kent with Coach Roy Williams and Coach Tubby Smith...

Here's Kent doing something. He added this comment to this picture... "Hey, Coug fans. One day we ARE GOING to win a Pac-12 Championship. You can BANK on it." Such a clever one, that Coach Kent.

Here's a link to Dickie V giving props to the Kent hire in Pullman... http://instagram.com/p/prQXjjgrXx/



This post was edited on 6/25 4:27 PM by Britton Ransford

Kent -Brand X signed a 5'10 HS prep PG out of San Francisco averaged 22pts and 5 assts. Now for that Big man. There i just changed it . Thanks for the assist 1990!1

This post was edited on 6/1 2:26 PM by ElComanche

2015 offers are flying out of the WSU Elite camp which just concluded. Read about them in the premium section.

According to Dominic Shelden of ABCFoxMontana, former Washington State head coach Ken Bone has been hired as an assistant coach at Montana under new Grizzlies head coach Travis DeCuire.

Update: Montana actually announced it. The release can be found here: http://www.gogriz.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061914aaa.html


This post was edited on 6/19 4:29 PM by Britton Ransford

2015 PF 6-9 will be on an unofficial visit this week. WSU has offered.



Talking Hoops

Will take an unofficial to WSU tomorrow.

The early period began on June 15.2014. The coaches can contact players and have off campus visits with them. So far ,the cougs have extended offers to SF 's 6''7 Tony Anderson and 6''7 Nate Grimes. They are also eying 6'10 Isaiah Robinson and 6'11 Greyson Smallwood. These two positions being recruited ,show the need for bigger swing forwards and legitimate big men. The cougs have only 6''7 Cheatum and 6''7 Longrus as legitimate big men after next season. The staff is trying to address the needs at this early date.The cougs can offer playing time for all new players being recruited,so they are probably playing up this in their recruiting.

Ernie Kent is holding out the last one hoping to land a "big' at this late date.The only ones potentially availiable are Manderson and Olive .a pair of OSU commits.The pickings are rather slim at this late date. Times are slow so i am just putting this out to see if any other names pop up.It is no secret that the cougs need help on the inside.I believe that he is happy with all of his underated recruits right now.

What are the Cougs prospects for next year under Kent? How do you see your team finishing in the Pac 12 and do you see post season tournament as a possibility? Outside of Lacy, who will be your impact players? Thx

Someone did four years ago and we had a lot of fun.

Isiash Manderson a 6'10 -250 center asked and was given his release from Oregon State according to unofficial reports. Manderson a three star center was sought by about 20 D1 programs. One would expect that Cameron Oliver a 6'8-225 pd PF and an OSU commit may soon follow.. It is unknown if Kent and company are actively recruiting these players After Robinson was fired, things are starting to happen.. These two players are high quality with Scout rating Oliver as a four star recruit.. Oliver is from Sacramento so he may be a possibility,one can hope the stars align

This post was edited on 6/4 8:45 AM by gazooks2

Is announcing tomorrow. It looks like the coug's will have a hat on the table. Do we have a shot?

PULLMAN, Wash. - Scott Thom has been named Washington State University men's basketball strength and conditioning coach, head basketball coach Ernie Kent announced Wednesday.

"Scott has the experience and passion to help elevate our basketball program to another level when it comes to strength and conditioning," Kent said. "Having worked at this level in a successful basketball program like Cal's, he will blend nicely with our outstanding strength and conditioning team we already have in place here."

Thom spent the previous four years at California where he served as the strength and conditioning coach for the men's basketball program, working with former head coach Mike Montgomery and a strength and conditioning staff led by Mike Blasquez and Hank Behrens. The Golden Bears made postseason appearances in each of Thom's four years at Cal, while two of the student-athletes he helped train were named Pac-12 Players of the Year, Jorge Gutierrez (2011-12) and Allen Crabbe (2012-13), both who went on to play in the NBA.

"The Cougars will love Scott," Montgomery said. "He's an excellent strength coach, relates really well to the kids, has a ton of enthusiasm, just wants to be a part of it and wants to win and do whatever he can to help. He's a great addition to the Cougar family."

Prior to joining the staff at California, Thom coached basketball and taught physical education for seven years at Vintage High School in Napa, Calif. In 2009, Thom was named Coach of the Year as he led the Crushers to their first playoff appearance in 10 years. He was intern at Cal's strength and conditioning department where he worked primarily with the men's basketball program before being hired full-time in 2010.

"I was extremely fortunate to step into an environment at Cal led by Coach Montgomery, where his staff and the players created an energy that inspired you to do your best job," Thom said. "After meeting Coach Kent and the basketball staff at Washington State, I knew right away that this was going to be a great situation too. I was so excited after we all met and they showed me the amazing facilities, that I had a hard time falling asleep that night. I can't wait to meet the players and start training. I think Pullman is a special place and the school is filled with faculty, staff and coaches that believe deeply that Washington State can be a powerhouse in the Pac-12. I just want to help anyway I can and be part of the movement."

Thom received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Chico State and teaching credentials in physical education from Sonoma State. Certified though both CSCS and USAW, Thom is currently working on his master's degree in coaching and athletic administration through Concordia University.

(via WSU Athletics Communcations)


This post was edited on 6/4 2:09 PM by Britton Ransford

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Trevor Dunbar (5-10, 170, Guard, San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius College Preparatory) has signed a Financial Aid Agreement (FAA) to play for the Washington State University men's basketball team beginning with the 2014-15 season, head coach Ernie Kent announced Tuesday.

"Trevor is an outstanding young man that has spent an enormous amount of time refining his game, which will show in his ability to handle the basketball and see and make difficult plays," Kent said. "He has a certain style and flare to his game that will quickly unite and excite our student body when it has the opportunity to see him play. I look forward to coaching Trevor."

A three-year starter at St. Ignatius, Dunbar served as team captain as a senior, averaging 22 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals a game. He's a three-time first team All-WCAL (West Catholic League) selection and was named MVP of the league in 2014. Dunbar was also the 2014 Central Coast Section Player of the Year and named to Max Preps' 2013-14 California All-State Honorable Mention Team. During his senior year, the Wildcats went 27-7 overall and 11-3 in league, falling in the second round of the CIF State Boys Basketball Playoffs.

Dunbar joins a signing class that includes fellow incoming freshmen Jackie Davis[/B] (6-3, 195, G, Long Beach, Calif./Rolling Hills Prep School) and Nyaires (Ny-air-ees) 'Ny' Redding [/B](6-2, 180, Guard, Solon, Ohio/Westwind Prep-Ariz.), as well as junior college-transfer Aaron Cheatum[/B] (6-7, 240, F, Moreno Valley, Calif./East Los Angeles College). The Cougars have one scholarship remaining for the 2014-15 season.

(via WSU Athletics Communications)

I have noticed that WSU has recently offered Andre Adams a 6'9 HS PF from Arizona. Adams has not committed as he had to work on becoming qualified.. Adams is a three star PF drawing interest and offers from PAC 12 teams as well as Indiana. He was known by several schools as a possible Late summer commit. Lets hope that he is qualified and Kent can reel this PF ,known for his defensive abilities in. He would be the icing on the cake,so to speak.

Several players of interest in this report.

Pangos

Chauca signed with Cal today. It is too bad as this is the worst place he could have signed basketball wise.He will not do well playing for Counzo Martin. Counzo Martin likes a slower paced game and a smaller gusrd not possesseing extreme quickness or great jumping ability will have problems adjusting

Brandon Chauca will chose either Cougs or Cal Friday evening at 6. It would be nice if one of these went our way.