Conference Play Begins

[COUGinNCW]

I'm not a basketball junkie by any means but from what I can decipher the Pac looks better this year than last. I also like what I'm seeing from WSU as far as effort and D but the offense seems to be struggling a bit and without a being a good 3 point shooting team and lack of quality depth with the bigs it could be a rough go for the Cougs. 5-6 wins would be a solid achievement to build on n my opinion.

A split this weekend would be a great way to start the season.

 

[Glad Cougar]

I'm not a basketball junkie by any means but from what I can decipher the Pac looks better this year than last. I also like what I'm seeing from WSU as far as effort and D but the offense seems to be struggling a bit and without a being a good 3 point shooting team and lack of quality depth with the bigs it could be a rough go for the Cougs. 5-6 wins would be a solid achievement to build on n my opinion.

A split this weekend would be a great way to start the season.

For not being a basketball junkie, you've summarized things quite well! WSU hasn't won 9 games going into conference play in a long time but realistically, they should've won 9 or more with the soft schedule they've played. I certainly don't fault anyone currently on staff for that, the schedule was put together well before Smith arrived. Nonetheless, it gave the Cougars a chance to figure some things out (i.e., playing rotation, how to play defense, who can be a scoring option, etc...) without losing a lot of games. You are right, the conference looks a lot tougher and 5-6 wins would be a considerable achievement. But I think the team is better prepared to compete this year than the past couple of years even though the talent level probably isn't any higher. The team is gaining an identity (defense + protecting the ball) and players are working hard/buying in to what Smith is asking. I'm a broken record, but if the team simply gets better as the season goes along, that's good enough for me. That's pretty subjective, especially since it might not be evident through the # of wins in conference play, but we should be able to tell if they've improved or not over the course of the year.

Go Cougs!

Glad Cougar

 

[Glad Cougar]

Don't know how the 2nd half will turn out, but the Cougars are only 4 points down at the break despite shooting an incredibly poor 24% (10-41). Starters are 6-33 and Elleby only has one FG. Great defense and hustle on the boards have kept them in the game. If only someone could shoot well on this team...

Glad Cougar

 

[sellas]

so painful to watch. trying hard, but just a bunch of brick laying chuckers.

Recruit nothing but shooters, sacrifice athleticism for shooters.

 

[Glad Cougar]

CJ was 2-21 tonight. Bonton was 7-26. The only guy to shoot well was Tony Miller at 7-11. Overall FG % was under 28%. It didn't help that Pollard got knocked out of the game early or that the starting PG Shedd is still hurt, or a good reserve like Marvin Cannon is out for a few weeks. Despite all that, this team hustled their way into being competitive. Love their defensive intensity. They forced 20 turnovers and only committed 6. Just no size after Pollard left the game to match up with the giants on USC. Gotta find a shooter(s) next year. I'm afraid the percentages on this team won't get much bettter.

Proud of the effort.

Glad Cougar

 

[Observer11]

Bonton should not be chucking 26 shots up under any circumstances. He’s not a good shooter.

Elleby had an off night. Bonton so far has an off career.

 

[SaveFerris]

Bonton's shot selection has improved but he still takes too many incredibly bad shots. The problem is we don't have many options that can create their own shot and we struggle offensively in general. Personally I liked that after getting down pretty big early in the game we managed to get back into it. We only had 6 turnovers for the game. We had our chances to make it a close game but we simply couldn't make shots.

Most of my focus is on the younger players. Williams continues to look like he really belongs, Rodman had some flashes, and Vova' forced to play after Pollard went down got some experience. Not a young guy but Tony Miller continues to produce. I really think he should be starting at the 4 but we are so thin at the 5.

 

[7ICoug]

Well there is a reason that you play a 7 foot player in the pre-season against all the patsy's. Even 5 minutes a game might have made a difference in his development.

Rather than playing the current line-up Smith needs to go a bit bigger. Having 2 six footers in when you have other choices makes no sense.

Tired of watching Kunc just park in the corner waiting to hoist a three ball. He sure doesn't have much of a stat line. Hard to get much if you aren't doing something.

I would like to see: Pollard, Miller, Williams, Elleby, and Bonton start against UCLA.

 

[Glad Cougar]

Well there is a reason that you play a 7 foot player in the pre-season against all the patsy's. Even 5 minutes a game might have made a difference in his development.

Rather than playing the current line-up Smith needs to go a bit bigger. Having 2 six footers in when you have other choices makes no sense.

Tired of watching Kunc just park in the corner waiting to hoist a three ball. He sure doesn't have much of a stat line. Hard to get much if you aren't doing something.

I would like to see: Pollard, Miller, Williams, Elleby, and Bonton start against UCLA.

Smith indicated in his post game comments that Miller is likely to be in the starting lineup at this point. I'm assuming he would take Kunc's spot. I like your starting lineup, 7I. Robinson isn't really helping the offense that much and Williams seems much more active. I'd also like to see Rapp get a few minutes each game.

Glad Cougar

 

[bogusto]

Looked to me, in the 2nd half, Smith decided he needed to play his more athletic youngsters to stay competitive with a very athletic and big USC. UCLA will present much the same challenge. Look for more time for Williams and Rodman from here on out. Bonton continues to play far too often out-of-control. We were a better team, in stretches the 2nd half, with him on the bench.

 

[kougkurt]

Looked to me, in the 2nd half, Smith decided he needed to play his more athletic youngsters to stay competitive with a very athletic and big USC. UCLA will present much the same challenge. Look for more time for Williams and Rodman from here on out. Bonton continues to play far too often out-of-control. We were a better team, in stretches the 2nd half, with him on the bench.

There was a lot more ball movement and energy in the second half.

 

[Glad Cougar]

I still haven't heard the exact details of Marvin Cannon's injury, but he's expected to be out for several weeks. I know he's on crutches....but not sure if it's an ankle, knee, sprain, fracture, etc...We could really use him but it does provide some of the young guys opportunity for experience. The roster is really thin right now. It's still amazing to me that the Cougars were so competitive against a really good team while shooting under 30% and without Pollard, Shedd, Cannon, and James– 4 guys who were expected to play a lot of minutes each game this season.

Glad Cougar

 

[SaveFerris]

I would like to see: Pollard, Miller, Williams, Elleby, and Bonton start against UCLA.

I like that lineup as well.

 

[SaveFerris]

I still haven't heard the exact details of Marvin Cannon's injury, but he's expected to be out for several weeks. I know he's on crutches....but not sure if it's an ankle, knee, sprain, fracture, etc...We could really use him but it does provide some of the young guys opportunity for experience. The roster is really thin right now. It's still amazing to me that the Cougars were so competitive against a really good team while shooting under 30% and without Pollard, Shedd, Cannon, and James– 4 guys who were expected to play a lot of minutes each game this season.

Glad Cougar

Rolled ankle in practice per Chaz.

 

[COUGinNCW]

Rolled ankle in practice per Chaz.

How long is Pollard out?

 

[SaveFerris]

How long is Pollard out?

He came back for the last 2 minutes of the game. Assuming he’s still good to go.

EDIT: From Chaz: