Started nervy again, but the supporting cast showed some of the promise we’ve been hearing about. Jakimofsky looks like he has a nice upside. Still need a lot more offensive contributions from the 2 position.
1st half improvements
- Thread starter CougPatrol
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You’re seeing the young talent in glimpse. It’s going to be a rough year, but there is talent there. Don’t think I have ever seen a big as athletic as Abogidi at WSU before.
I agree. Abogidi, along with Williams, are two of the most athletic players we have seen in Pullman. They are both raw, but they have a chance to be really good.
Some good minutes tonight from Bamba and Jakomovski to go along with Abogidi. Glad to see it wasn't a one-man show (Bonton) tonight. Of course, it was Noah Williams who won this game with a Kyle Weaver-type statistical line of 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists. Also got the big charging foul again at the end of the game.
I know EWU had an extremely short bench tonight and was missing some players, but that was a good win against a very good team. Eagles will probably win the Big Sky again this year.
Glad Cougar
I know EWU had an extremely short bench tonight and was missing some players, but that was a good win against a very good team. Eagles will probably win the Big Sky again this year.
Glad Cougar
I love coach Smith, but why he waited so long to get Markevetskyy in the game is beyond me. As soon as he came in, Eastern’s interior offense dried up.
Bonton is a nice player, but he’s really feeling the pressure of not having a #2 wingman. He’s always been a chucker, but it’s exaggerated by him not getting any uncontested looks. If we can find some capable shooters, it’ll free him up.
The team plays with great energy, which is a reflection on Smith and the coaching staff. Bamba, Jakimovsky, and Abogidi could all develop into really nice players. Again though, depth at guard beyond Bonton and at the #2 is a priority.
Bonton is a nice player, but he’s really feeling the pressure of not having a #2 wingman. He’s always been a chucker, but it’s exaggerated by him not getting any uncontested looks. If we can find some capable shooters, it’ll free him up.
The team plays with great energy, which is a reflection on Smith and the coaching staff. Bamba, Jakimovsky, and Abogidi could all develop into really nice players. Again though, depth at guard beyond Bonton and at the #2 is a priority.
EWU was ranked ahead of us in Ken Pom’s ranking last year and are ranked 3 spots behind us this year. They have some players. It’s a good win for us, fell behind by double digits and came back. We can’t have Abogidi in found trouble.
Really liked what I saw from the true freshman. They all looked like they belonged and it’s just a matter of time before they take us up the ladder. There will be lumps this year but this group looks ahead of the first Bennett group with the same kind of IQ potential. We haven’t even seen 3 play yet.
I thought Vova was out until he entered. Without Miller we can’t go that small when Abogid is off the court. I liked seeing Vova go up strong and dunk. Too often last year he would go up soft. I liked seeing more of Chattfield tonight but Vova needs more minutes.
In the post game show, Smith lamented again that he needs to trust Vova more. He thought the smaller, 3-point oriented offense of EWU would not suit having Vova out there last night....and that might have been true had the Cougs stayed with man-to-man defense. But with Abogidi fouling out and Chatfield (who did a few good things) beginning to get abused inside in the second half, he finally brought Vova into the game and switched to a zone. That made a big difference.
I'm hoping that a healthy Dishon Jackson will give us additional flexibility up front.
Glad Cougar
I'm hoping that a healthy Dishon Jackson will give us additional flexibility up front.
Glad Cougar
Smith clearly decided prior to the game that Volvo would not be playing at all. Said so in the pre-game. One problem with Smith is that he doesn't understand that "bigs" need some PT to prepare for conference when there are bigs and lots of them. He often times talks about how he should have played him more but IMHO he doesn't understand that 7 footers are rare.
He should have played Volvo and Efe some at the same time and let Eastern Chew on that.
Personally not sure why being 7 foot is a good reason to be in the game. Volvo is constantly out of position, way to slow to make up for being out of position and really in general adds very little other than just pure size. There is a place for him and time for him but overall I’ve seen very little that screams put me in. If everybody is healthy I doubt he sees to much time this year. That is however a big if.
nobody is saying just put him in, but with Napolean and Dynamite killing WSU down low, this was a game to play him.
i thought Vovo was showing some pretty good signs, the end of last season. This last game, seems like he took a couple steps back. Bigs need playing time to improve, ala James Donaldson.
I agree with your general assessment, but in the EWU game, getting him in there decided the outcome. Eastern immediately aborted their big men cuts down low and turned to firing up ill advised 3s.
His big body can set a pretty nasty screen though. He set a great screen for a Bonton 3. Gave him a clean look at the hoop.
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