Coach Smith

[jourdand]

Maybe I’m just on a high from the game but could WSU have made a better basketball coach hire? Kyle Smith has been nothing less than amazing and what he has done with these kids is impressive. It is so fun to finally watch solid fundamental basketball in Pullman again.

Hey Elcomanche what do you think of OUR coach and OUR team now!! Lol

 

[CougPatrol]

I think Smith is outstanding, but lets acknowledge that he walked into a situation where the program was abysmally coached and he inherited the best player in the conference. Next season will be a much better indicator of the type of coach Smith is, IMO.

 

[Coug90]

Maybe I’m just on a high from the game but could WSU have made a better basketball coach hire? Kyle Smith has been nothing less than amazing and what he has done with these kids is impressive. It is so fun to finally watch solid fundamental basketball in Pullman again.

Hey Elcomanche what do you think of OUR coach and OUR team now!! Lol

Spot on. It was interesting watching those two teams walk out on the court. UWs starting 5 looks like an NBA team. The raw talent is obvious. When it comes to teamwork, effort, and chemistry the difference between the Cougs and UW is astounding. Smith was a great hire no question.

 

[Glad Cougar]

I think Smith is outstanding, but lets acknowledge that he walked into a situation where the program was abysmally coached and he inherited the best player in the conference. Next season will be a much better indicator of the type of coach Smith is, IMO.

It's true he inherited a great player in Elleby, but really not much else with the possible exception of Pollard, who is a very good role player and overachiever. What he's been able to do in terms of changing the whole culture, the installation of defense & fundamentals, and really just coaching up the players has far exceeded any of my hopes for this year. He is an outstanding coach and I don't need to wait until next year to know for sure.

Glad Cougar

 

[Observer11]

I think Smith is outstanding, but lets acknowledge that he walked into a situation where the program was abysmally coached and he inherited the best player in the conference. Next season will be a much better indicator of the type of coach Smith is, IMO.

If Noah Williams and DJ Rodman are any indication of the kind of players Smith will be bringing in, we'll be just fine.

 

[Coug1990]

It's true he inherited a great player in Elleby, but really not much else with the possible exception of Pollard, who is a very good role player and overachiever. What he's been able to do in terms of changing the whole culture, the installation of defense & fundamentals, and really just coaching up the players has far exceeded any of my hopes for this year. He is an outstanding coach and I don't need to wait until next year to know for sure.

Glad Cougar

Not to mention this team has been hit hard by injuries and didn't fold. They are still competitive and still winning some games.

 

[etowncoug]

Not to mention this team has been hit hard by injuries and didn't fold. They are still competitive and still winning some games.

Underrated point. We've had enough injuries to legitimately give the team a pass for the year. Hasn't cut into this teams fight.

 

[7ICoug]

Greatest point to me is that the staff is able and willing to make changes. Kunc getting less PT, Markovetskyy finally getting some minutes. Rodman as well. The PG Rapp was way behind due to injury but now plays some meaningful minutes. Loosing your 2 Graduate dudes in James and Shead should have been a blow but haven't been. Miller stepping up as well.

Ability to adjust is paramount.

Think Kunc will be fine once he gets stronger and asserts himself.

Looks like they are after some quality recruits in 2020 and 2021.

 

[SaveFerris]

I think Smith is outstanding, but lets acknowledge that he walked into a situation where the program was abysmally coached and he inherited the best player in the conference. Next season will be a much better indicator of the type of coach Smith is, IMO.

Smith was a phenomenal hire from day 1 but he’s still exceeded my year 1 expectations so far in terms of the recruits and conference results. Definitely think you have a point though. Kent’s year 1 was better than I expected and he was able to put some life back in the program even though it wasn’t ever going to last. Going further back Dick’s year 1 was better than expected as well. Using the latter to compare to Smith, Dick’s year 2 and 3 were a bit of a struggle growing a young roster that experienced season ending injuries to crucial players (Low/Harmeling).

Hopefully it’s all up from here but Smith could end up with seasons that look like a step back as he continues to recruit, develop, and build. He’s definitely the right guy though. We have offered a lot of players and some I like more than others but each one makes sense. He’s a grinder and perfect fit for us. It’s early but I hope we have him around for a long time to come.

 

[Observer11]

Smith was a phenomenal hire from day 1 but he’s still exceeded my year 1 expectations so far in terms of the recruits and conference results. Definitely think you have a point though. Kent’s year 1 was better than I expected and he was able to put some life back in the program even though it wasn’t ever going to last. Going further back Dick’s year 1 was better than expected as well. Using the latter to compare to Smith, Dick’s year 2 and 3 were a bit of a struggle growing a young roster that experienced season ending injuries to crucial players (Low/Harmeling).

Hopefully it’s all up from here but Smith could end up with seasons that look like a step back as he continues to recruit, develop, and build. He’s definitely the right guy though. We have offered a lot of players and some I like more than others but each one makes sense. He’s a grinder and perfect fit for us. It’s early but I hope we have him around for a long time to come.

Dick often said Year 3 was the toughest in a rebuild.

 

[COUGinNCW]

Dick often said Year 3 was the toughest in a rebuild.

Next year could be rough if Elleby leaves and they can’t find a big to replace Pollard.

 

[CougPatrol]

Hopefully it’s all up from here but Smith could end up with seasons that look like a step back as he continues to recruit, develop, and build. He’s definitely the right guy though. We have offered a lot of players and some I like more than others but each one makes sense. He’s a grinder and perfect fit for us. It’s early but I hope we have him around for a long time to come.

That was my point, and I hope that fans are understanding about what lies ahead. I don't need to remind anyone on here that our basketball program was, and is, an unmitigated disaster. Can you imagine what this season would have been like without CJ? Not only would we not have won a single conference game, but I genuinely believe that we wouldn't come within 10 points against anyone in our league. That's not a knock on Smith or the other kids on our roster, it's just the reality of the depth we've allowed our program to sink to.

Next year is going to be a struggle, and the casual fans are going to cue up the "Smith is getting exposed without CJ rhetoric." I've been around the block enough times to see that coming a mile away. I agree that year 3 is typically the hardest year of a rebuild, but not in this case. Next year is going to be dark, IMO, but I expect that year 3 will be the first season where we have a legitimate 8-9 man rotation, and defend the hell out of anyone we play.

 

[avabob11]

Some similarities beween Smith and Dick. Both inherited disasters, but both inherited a couple of good players. Pollard and Elleby for Smith, Kelati and Moore for Bennett. However Smith has brought in more first year help. Bennett had Varem. Smith has Bonton, Williams, Rodman, who are all very much athletic upgrades. Dicks 3rd year was ruined by Lows injury.