Coug First podcast w/ Coach Smith
- Thread starter SaveFerris
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Yeah, a lot of the podcast was a rehash of things Coach Smith has said in the past. I did take a few things away when I was finally able to listen to it.
1. They tweaked their recruiting. Looking for more kids who are "Coug's" that they hope will stick around.
2. We will play "big" this year meaning 2 of Jones, Cluff, and hopefully Chinyelu on the court at the same time.
3. Chinyelu could make an impact at some point this year. Smith said "hardest worker he's been around". Probably some coach speak in there and I'm sure skills and game understanding need to get there. Looking forward to seeing him get on the court. Huge potential!
1. They tweaked their recruiting. Looking for more kids who are "Coug's" that they hope will stick around.
2. We will play "big" this year meaning 2 of Jones, Cluff, and hopefully Chinyelu on the court at the same time.
3. Chinyelu could make an impact at some point this year. Smith said "hardest worker he's been around". Probably some coach speak in there and I'm sure skills and game understanding need to get there. Looking forward to seeing him get on the court. Huge potential!
If WSU goes with 3 bigs, it probably would 5. Chinyelu(who at 7-0(7-7 wingspan), 243, jump out of gym athleticism, superior work ethic, BEST recruit out of Africa(NBA Global Academy Africa(NBA head coach). Better then JC transfer Cluff, 4. Jones, 3. Jaki, with Cluff the back up 5/4.
If medium, then 5. Jones, 4. Jaki, 3. 6-7 Wells, with Chinyelu back up at 5, and Cluff back up at 4.
Small would be Jones, Jaki, 3 guards.
Most likely starting line up
1. Yesufu, backed up by Rice and Darling
2. Kymany, backed up by Jabe, and Darling
3. Jabe and Wells as co situational starters. Jaki here when, if go BIG, Kymany.
4. Jaki, backed up by Cluff
5. Jones, backed up by Chinyelu
9-10 man rotation during seasons 8-9 man rotation during post season.
So many new pieces this year (every year now) I’m in a wait and see type of mode.
Sounds like we will need to be patient with Chinyelu, he is coming to us with huge upside but very raw on the offensive side, and will probably need time to develop and learn the game but he is by all accounts an intelligent guy will pick things up fast in my opinion. Cuff might be more suited for immediate minutes but like I said it’s wait and see.
If I had to take a guess based on practice reports and coaches comments in interviews (we all know how coach likes to talk up players and gloss over others when reality turns out to be different) but if I had to pick starters.
1) I was leaning Yesufu but sounds like it might be Rice right now with Yesufu as the back up. I’m interested in seeing what Darlying brings to the table as a sophomore but I still think he is probably third in line
2) Kymany is a no brainer here backed up by Jabe and Wells. Kymany will probably see time at the point also.
3) sounds like this belongs to Wells and from what I’ve heard Coug fans will be very pleased with this guy.
4) Jaki known commodity solid player backed up by Jones if things develop for eithr Chinyelu or Cuff
5) Jones I have high hopes for him even though come league it will be a big step up. Cuff is more ready to play than Chinyelu on offensive side but rebounding and court presence probably go to Chinyelu should be interesting to watch who steps up.
Imo we are probably a worse team than last year but we have variables in place that could change things. It looks like the league has improved more than we did so it could be a rough year for wins and losses. I would say another NIT would be the high end prediction at this point.
Sounds like we will need to be patient with Chinyelu, he is coming to us with huge upside but very raw on the offensive side, and will probably need time to develop and learn the game but he is by all accounts an intelligent guy will pick things up fast in my opinion. Cuff might be more suited for immediate minutes but like I said it’s wait and see.
If I had to take a guess based on practice reports and coaches comments in interviews (we all know how coach likes to talk up players and gloss over others when reality turns out to be different) but if I had to pick starters.
1) I was leaning Yesufu but sounds like it might be Rice right now with Yesufu as the back up. I’m interested in seeing what Darlying brings to the table as a sophomore but I still think he is probably third in line
2) Kymany is a no brainer here backed up by Jabe and Wells. Kymany will probably see time at the point also.
3) sounds like this belongs to Wells and from what I’ve heard Coug fans will be very pleased with this guy.
4) Jaki known commodity solid player backed up by Jones if things develop for eithr Chinyelu or Cuff
5) Jones I have high hopes for him even though come league it will be a big step up. Cuff is more ready to play than Chinyelu on offensive side but rebounding and court presence probably go to Chinyelu should be interesting to watch who steps up.
Imo we are probably a worse team than last year but we have variables in place that could change things. It looks like the league has improved more than we did so it could be a rough year for wins and losses. I would say another NIT would be the high end prediction at this point.
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Early 8 of Yesefu, Rice, Houinsou, Mullins, Wells, Jakimovski, Jones, Cluff. Chinyelu sure to get opportunities to get on the court along with Darling.
Think we need Houinsou, Rice, and Wells to play over their head in terms of experience. Wish we had more than a few from last year back, but a chance to be sneaky good in the backcourt. Big frontcourt with Jones in the lead. Need Jakimovski to put things together wherever he plays.
Think we need Houinsou, Rice, and Wells to play over their head in terms of experience. Wish we had more than a few from last year back, but a chance to be sneaky good in the backcourt. Big frontcourt with Jones in the lead. Need Jakimovski to put things together wherever he plays.
It's really difficult to get a handle on the team just as it was last year and the year before. I don't like NIL as it's currently administered, but I hate the portal. It's a new friggin team every year.
We lost a ton from last year's team. It's going to be hard to replace them. That being said I think we have a lot of potential. If Houinsou can develop an outside shot he'd be nearly unstoppable with his athleticism and driving ability. Mullins had a torrid start last year but dropped off dramatically. Hopefully he can maintain throughout the season. Smith talked up the front court but they're really an unknown. Jones, Jaki and Yesufu have all been through the wars so they should lead, especially through the pre-season. Hopefully others will be ready by the time Pac-12 starts.
We lost a ton from last year's team. It's going to be hard to replace them. That being said I think we have a lot of potential. If Houinsou can develop an outside shot he'd be nearly unstoppable with his athleticism and driving ability. Mullins had a torrid start last year but dropped off dramatically. Hopefully he can maintain throughout the season. Smith talked up the front court but they're really an unknown. Jones, Jaki and Yesufu have all been through the wars so they should lead, especially through the pre-season. Hopefully others will be ready by the time Pac-12 starts.
Portal and early entry has made the last few years a rough ride. Bamba and Rodman to portal plus Powell to early entry. You knew Gueye coming back was slim to none, but what does this team look like with 2 or 3 of the others?
I feel for us and I feel for our staff. It's tough enough to compete. Adding portal/NIL takes it to a completely different level.
I feel for us and I feel for our staff. It's tough enough to compete. Adding portal/NIL takes it to a completely different level.
At media day, Smith also discussed Jakimovski at the 3 along with Wells. It also sounded like Jones at the 4 and Cluff/Chinyelu at the 5.
Also, Yesefu clearly the point. Seems they are leaning toward experience as much as possible.
Definitely a lot of size. I'm wondering how we defend and if we go to a lot of zone. We don't have a lot of quicks throughout the roster. Jones and Chinyelu perhaps the only rim protectors as well.
Altho this team is losing a lot, lost a lot, had a lot of holes, etc, ON PAPER, ON PAPER, Smith has Pretty Much at least SEMI REPLACED, if not REPLACED, almost every hole, with a AWESOME player ON PAPER.
1. Lots of blue blood teams would KILL to be able to have YESUFU. He was AWESOME at Drake, and the only reason he didn't play as much, and didn't have as good production at Kansas, is because of all the 5, FIVE STARS, NBA PROS, etc, IN FRONT of him. And when he did play in the NCAA tournament, he played good, and he is EXPERIENCED, FAST, QUICK, SPEEDY, NBA ATHLETICISM, GREAT PASSING, DISHES OUT ASSIST, GREAT DEFENSE, SCORES A LOT, SHOOTS WELL, DRIVES, ETC. WILL BE A AWESOME POINT GUARD FOR WSU.
2. Wells was very highly sought after. He was a ALL AMERICAN, NUMEROUS ACCOLADES. 6-7, hybrid 3,4,2, Sean Elliot, Malik Sealy type, style(not saying as good as that), NBA Athleticism(can jump out of gym), fast, quick, speedy, can drive, create own shot, shoots well, plays good defense, scores well, rebounds well, experienced, High upside, potential, AWESOME TRANSFER ON PAPER.
3. Jones averaged about 20 ppg at Idaho. Had about 2,3,4 years EXPERIENCE at Idaho. EXTREME NBA ATHLETICISM, JUMPS OUT OF GYM, THUNDER DUNKING, SCORING INSIDE OVER ALMOST EVERYONE, ALMOST ALL THE TIME, SPEEDY, FAST, QUICK, CAN FACE UP DRIVE, SPIN, GET TO BASKET, CREATES OWN SHOT, RIM PROTECTOR, BLOCKS SHOTS, GREAT DEFENSE, COMPARABLE TO GUEYE, EFE, ETC. HIGH UPSIDE, POTENTIAL, AWESOME TRANSFER ON PAPER.
4. Chinyelu is 7-0, 243, is the 1,2, either the best or one of the best, top player(s) in all of Africa. NBA Global Academy, HC was, is NBA HC, NBA player, etc, because most to almost all NBA Global Academy African teams are coached by past, former NBA coaches, players. His HC says he has extremely high upside, potential, ceiling, works, plays extremely hard, coachable, has NBA potential, is compared to similar NBA Global Academy Africa player that was a NBA draft lottery pick, was very highly sought after by almost all the blue bloods, 4,5, 4.5 star recruit. Either the best, one of the best Big Man recruits in WSU history, comparable to Stu House, Gueye, Dishon Jackson, EFE, etc, RAW, but has EXTREME UPSIDE, POTENTIAL, CEILING, etc, scores inside well, rebounds, jumps out of gym, thunder dunks, scores over players, fast, speedy, quick, plays good defense, blocks shots, rim protector. AWESOME ON PAPER.
5. Cluff, while overrated by Jourdand, is a JC transfer that 6-11 260, that is a banger, played for top notch JC that played against best competition. And he scored a lot there, rebounds, won a lot of ACCOLADES, etc. But his weakness is that he is not laterally quick, does not jump as well, is not as good a shotblocker, rim protector. But that is balanced by his banging, scoring, rebounding, posting up, getting position to either score, defend, rebound. He is not as good as Jones, Chinyelu, but is a great, awesome BACK UP, DEPTH.
These are awesome player replacements for what was lost, at least ON PAPER.
The only bad things about these players, team, etc, is that despite how good, awesome they are, it might probably take all these new awesome pieces time to come together, jell, develop chemistry, learn how to play together, etc, and that because of that, they might probably lose some EARLY GAMES THEY SHOULD WIN.
This team is a 17,18,19,20,21,22,23 win, NIT, NCAA tourny, CBI at ultimate extreme worst, team
WSU bball has become a top level minor league farm team, that will lose a lot of players every year, but replace, fill all the holes, departed players, with top notch transfers, foreign recruits, every year, like a St Mary's, etc, and because of that, almost every year WSU will goto NIT, CBI, NCAA tournament, postseason, etc, having winning records, etc, because of Kyle Smith's best recruiting in WSU history, etc
I get the impression from interviews that coach would eventually like to play Yesufu off the ball but I could be reading too much into it. Houinsou could possibly be the point guard with Rice as backup. That’s a change from my original opinion that the job might be Rice’s to loose.
I’m excited to see what Jones brings to the table, he certainly played very well in his ONE year(not 2,3 or4) at Idaho.
Hearing good things about both Wells and Cluff. However if anybody is expecting jump out of the gym athletic ability from Wells prepare to be disappointed that’s not his game. Think more Chris Crosby from long ago.
I would be over the top ecstatic if this team is in the NIT but it’s a solid goal to shoot for. WSU is picked to finish 10th in the Final PAC 12 season. That’s doesn’t seem to far off but I think we could finish anywhere from 8 to 11. Should be able to pad the win loss Column a bit in preseason as schedule is weak
I’m excited to see what Jones brings to the table, he certainly played very well in his ONE year(not 2,3 or4) at Idaho.
Hearing good things about both Wells and Cluff. However if anybody is expecting jump out of the gym athletic ability from Wells prepare to be disappointed that’s not his game. Think more Chris Crosby from long ago.
I would be over the top ecstatic if this team is in the NIT but it’s a solid goal to shoot for. WSU is picked to finish 10th in the Final PAC 12 season. That’s doesn’t seem to far off but I think we could finish anywhere from 8 to 11. Should be able to pad the win loss Column a bit in preseason as schedule is weak
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The only thing that can hold this team back is INJURIES, specifically KEY injuries, semi maybe semi lack of depth, and all the AWESOME pieces taking some time to come together, jell, develop chemistry, learn to play together, etc, that might cause WSU to lose a few early games they shouldn't lose.
I only see about 4,5 possible, semi likely losses early non conference season, and WSU probably loses about 3 of those, and probably only loses 1,2,3,4 non conference games.
I see WSU about 8-12, 9-11, 10-10, 11-9, 12-8, 4,5,6,7 in conference.
WSU probably wins at least 15,16,17 games at ultimate extreme worst, 18, 19, 20 at average, and 21, 22, 23, at best, and at worst go to the CBI/CIT/Postseason tournament, NIT Bubble/CBI champions, at average, NCAA bubble/Deep NIT run at best, and about 7,8,9 in conference at ultimate extreme worst, 5,6,7 at average, Tied for 3rd, 4, 5 at best.
The only reason WSU is picked 10th by PAC 12 media is because PAC 12 media( NOT ESPN, SI, Ken Pom, Athlon, Phil Steele, etc), usually pick WSU about 1,2,3,4,5, spots lower then where they actually finish in conference, because they usually don't know, aren't familiar with WSU's true situation. All they see is that WSU has lost a lot from last season(True), but don't see the amazing recruiting by Smith via foreign recruiting, transfer portal, JC transfers, etc, that has AWESOMELY replaced, filled the holes created by the departed players. The PAC 12 media thinks that because of all the departures, etc, that WSU will lose 5,6,7 non conference games, and go about 6-14 in conference, and only win about 14 total games, etc.
Athlon, Phil Steele, ESPN, SI(Sports illustrated), Ken Pom, etc, are usually more accurate then the PAC 12 media, and are probably predicting WSU to win about 16,17,18,19,20,21 wins, 3,4,5 non con losses, 9-11, 10-10, 11-9 in conference, NIT at average, CBI at worst, NCAA bubble at best. They understand, get that WSU has done a AWESOME job recruiting, and in getting Transfer Portal, JC transfers, that have AWESOMELY filled the holes created by departing players.
The problem with Kymany at PG, is that the line up is likely to be 5. Jones, 4. Jaki, 3. Either Wells, Jaki, Kymany, Jabe.
The thing about Jabe Mullins, is that the only spot he is not a DEFENSIVE LIABILITY, is at the 3 spot.
That might probably make the 3 spot be Jabe, Wells, Because Jabe is a DEFENSIVE LIABILITY AT 2, SG, 1, PG.
Because of that Kymany will probably play 2, SG. And that pushes Yesufu, to 1, PG.
If Jabe can either improve his defense, an or bounce back and forth between 3 spot, 2 spot, in order to get playing time, THEN IF that happens, THEN 2 spot might be Yesufu, with Jabe playing back up at both 2,3 spots, and Kymany at PG, backed up by Rice.
What is nice about the line up is the FLEXIBILITY.
1. Yesufu/Rice/Darling/Kymany, 2. Kymany/Yesufu/Jabe/Darling, 3. Wells, Jabe, Kymany, Jaki 4. Jaki, Jones, Cluff, 5. Jones, Chinyelu, Cluff.
Every position can be played effectively by 2,3,4 players, and players can play 2,3,4 different positions spots effectively.
So much versatility, flexibility, etc.
Wells scored a lot, won a lot of ACCOLADES, AWARDS, and he was, is quick, fast, speedy, explosive. He does have semi quasi semi jump out of gym ability, athleticism, but your right that that is not his game, that he doesn't use his semi quasi jump out of gym athleticism as much as his speed, quickness, driving, shooting, lateral defense, etc. That doesn't mean that he doesn't have that athleticism, never uses it, etc.
Was pretty sure that Jones spent at least 2 years at Idaho, But apparently I was wrong, But the point is that Jones has ABOUT 3,4 years of EXPERIENCE, before he transfered to WSU to do his 4,5th year, and that he is a AWESOMELY LOTS OF ATHLETICISM, TALENT, SKILL, EXPERIENCED player.
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Maybe Smith is trying to temper hype with Rice? He hasn’t played in 2 years.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
Maybe Smith is trying to temper hype with Rice? He hasn’t played in 2 years.
Good to hear on Wells and Cluff. Crosby had a very good shot from long range. Hoping we get a bit more athleticism from Wells. This isn't an athletic a roster. Lots of size for sure.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
Maybe Smith is trying to temper hype with Rice? He hasn’t played in 2 years.Good to hear on Wells and Cluff. Crosby had a very good shot from long range. Hoping we get a bit more athleticism from Wells. This isn't an athletic a roster. Lots of size for sure.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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I’ve watched full game videos of Cluff where he looks great and others that were less impressive but reports from Pullman have been positive. As a team overall I feel we are substantially weaker than last year but how can you not be with all we lost. (Bamba, Gueye , Powell, Rodman, Diongue). The other problem is that the rest of the league seems to have improved through recruiting and the portal more than WSU which I think could make for a long season.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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I’ve watched full game videos of Cluff where he looks great and others that were less impressive but reports from Pullman have been positive. As a team overall I feel we are substantially weaker than last year but how can you not be with all we lost. (Bamba, Gueye , Powell, Rodman, Diongue). The other problem is that the rest of the league seems to have improved through recruiting and the portal more than WSU which I think could make for a long season.
Maybe Smith is trying to temper hype with Rice? He hasn’t played in 2 years.Good to hear on Wells and Cluff. Crosby had a very good shot from long range. Hoping we get a bit more athleticism from Wells. This isn't an athletic a roster. Lots of size for sure.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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No way Cluff starts next to Jones over Jaki, Chinyelu the best recruit out of NBA Global Academy Africa.
He is a good player. He played at top notch JC vs top notch competition, scored, rebounded a lot, got a lot of ACCOLADES, awards.
He is a BANGER, fundamentally sound, post up, gets position, 6-10 260.
But he is not as athletic as Jones, Chinyelu. He does not shoot as good as Jaki. He is slower, does not jump as well, does not block shots as well.
He is a semi situational semi co semi starter at best. He is a 6th, 7th man, first, second off bench, lunch pail, blue collar, leader, glue guy man.
He will get about 17 to 20 to 23 minutes per game, and about 6.5 to 8 to 9.5 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game.
He is a poor man's version of Hawkinson, under Bone(Back when he was heavier, slower, and didn't score about 15 to 20 to 25 points games)
He will back up Jones, Jaki, Chinyelu.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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No way Cluff starts next to Jones over Jaki, Chinyelu the best recruit out of NBA Global Academy Africa.
He is a good player. He played at top notch JC vs top notch competition, scored, rebounded a lot, got a lot of ACCOLADES, awards.
He is a BANGER, fundamentally sound, post up, gets position, 6-10 260.
But he is not as athletic as Jones, Chinyelu. He does not shoot as good as Jaki. He is slower, does not jump as well, does not block shots as well.
He is a semi situational semi co semi starter at best. He is a 6th, 7th man, first, second off bench, lunch pail, blue collar, leader, glue guy man.
He will get about 17 to 20 to 23 minutes per game, and about 6.5 to 8 to 9.5 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game.
He is a poor man's version of Hawkinson, under Bone(Back when he was heavier, slower, and didn't score about 15 to 20 to 25 points games)
He will back up Jones, Jaki, Chinyelu.
Maybe Smith is trying to temper hype with Rice? He hasn’t played in 2 years.Good to hear on Wells and Cluff. Crosby had a very good shot from long range. Hoping we get a bit more athleticism from Wells. This isn't an athletic a roster. Lots of size for sure.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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There is plenty of athleticism on roster.
Yesufu, Rice, Kymany, Wells, Jones, Chinyelu have good athleticism.
Jabe Mullins, Darling, Jaki, Cluff, do not have good athleticism.
Although I didn't get Cluff when they signed him, everyone who has actually seen him play seem to feel good about him. Looking forward to seeing him play and Smith seems to have him as a starter next to Jones. He's an Aussie so you expect a good chemistry guy. I'm figuring he will quickly win over most.
I would feel good about an NIT bid. I don't follow enough of the other programs in the conference, but it seems like the conference should be deeper this year.
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There is plenty of athleticism on roster.
Yesufu, Rice, Kymany, Wells, Jones, Chinyelu have good athleticism.
Jabe Mullins, Darling, Jaki, Cluff, do not have good athleticism.
I’ve watched full game videos of Cluff where he looks great and others that were less impressive but reports from Pullman have been positive. As a team overall I feel we are substantially weaker than last year but how can you not be with all we lost. (Bamba, Gueye , Powell, Rodman, Diongue). The other problem is that the rest of the league seems to have improved through recruiting and the portal more than WSU which I think could make for a long season.
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Kymany, Yesufu, is comparable to Bamba.
Jabe is comparable to Powell.
Wells, Kymany are comparable to Rodman.
Jones, Chinyelu are comparable to Gueye.
Chinyelu is comparable to Diongue.
By saying comparable I'm not saying that means better or equal to or even almost as good in some cases.
By saying comparable I mean either almost as good, almost equal, semi equal, semi comparable, semi similar type of player, role, semi similar semi almost as good production, an or that will probably produce semi almost as good, semi similar semi almost semi same, semi similar, semi almost as good STYLE, semi good semi replacement, semi good replacement, etc.
Yes WSU lost a lot of good players, but those were replaced by a lot of good players, transfers, recruits, etc.
And the production of the replacements will probably eventually be as good as the departed players.
The Biggest problem, concern will be the TIME it takes for all these awesome pieces, replacements, etc, to develop, jell, develop, learn chemistry, learn to play together, etc, as that will probably cause WSU to lose a couple, few early games, that they otherwise semi should win.
The replacements are talented, skilled, athletic 3.5, 4, 4.5 star recruits, replacements, transfers, etc.
It's kinda like how on a minor league farm team, if the team loses it's STAR players, then replaces those STAR PLAYERS with more STAR PLAYERS.
WSU Lost most to almost all it's mega star players, that were replaced with star players just like a minor league farm team.
WSU is a good minor league farm team.
Jabe can’t be considered a replacement for the loss of Powell, Houinsou can’t be considered a replacement for the loss of Bamba because they were both on last years team. In order to be considered a replacement they must be new to the team this year.
This year WSU added Yesufu, Chinyelu, Cluff, Watts, Mohoney.
Yesufu had a solid late run his sophomore year at Drake his last 10 games or so were excellent including their NCAA tournament run. He still only started 9 of 31 games but played solid minutes 22 per game. Wasn’t a great assist to turnover man but did enough to get picked up by Kansas. Uneventful 2 years at Kansas but he did have some solid games. If we get the end of the year Yesufu from Drake he’ll be very solid.
Chinyelu is loaded with potential and upside but he is probably a year away from starting to make real contribution offensively but should be able to give solid minutes rebounding and eventually on defensive. He certainly has the physical tools to be a solid shot blocker but his stats in that department indicate he’s not there yet.
Cluff sounds like he is a possible starter as of now with good moves around the block and good passing. Not a world beater but solid.
Watts and Mohoney are at least for now no more than scholarship Walk-ons
That is not a great recruiting class for this year but could be solid for the future if Chinyelu reaches full potential and if that happens at WSU.
A quick look around the league shows WSU fell behind in recruiting for this year which is why they are predicted to finish so low.
This year WSU added Yesufu, Chinyelu, Cluff, Watts, Mohoney.
Yesufu had a solid late run his sophomore year at Drake his last 10 games or so were excellent including their NCAA tournament run. He still only started 9 of 31 games but played solid minutes 22 per game. Wasn’t a great assist to turnover man but did enough to get picked up by Kansas. Uneventful 2 years at Kansas but he did have some solid games. If we get the end of the year Yesufu from Drake he’ll be very solid.
Chinyelu is loaded with potential and upside but he is probably a year away from starting to make real contribution offensively but should be able to give solid minutes rebounding and eventually on defensive. He certainly has the physical tools to be a solid shot blocker but his stats in that department indicate he’s not there yet.
Cluff sounds like he is a possible starter as of now with good moves around the block and good passing. Not a world beater but solid.
Watts and Mohoney are at least for now no more than scholarship Walk-ons
That is not a great recruiting class for this year but could be solid for the future if Chinyelu reaches full potential and if that happens at WSU.
A quick look around the league shows WSU fell behind in recruiting for this year which is why they are predicted to finish so low.
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Even tho they are technically not a NEW replacement, or a REPLACEMENT per se, and even tho they were on the team last season, they were not as developed, where they are now, and as such are kinda like a replacement or hole plugger, etc.
Jabe is COMPARABLE to Powell, and kind of plugs the hole that Powell's departure created.
Kymany is COMPARABLE to Bamba, and probably will kind of semi plug the hole that Bamba created when he left WSU.
Whether they were already in team last season, on bench last season, or a transfer, etc, they probably will semi plug the holes created when Powell, Bamba left.
Cluff is not going to start over Jones, Jaki.
Watts and Mahoney are not walking on level players.
Mahoney is a 3.5 star recruit, that will back up the main front court players of Jones, Jaki, Chinyelu, Cluff, etc.
If the frontcourt weren't as good, deep, Mahoney would probably get a little playing time.
Mahoney was recruited by semi good semi blue blood mid majors like Seton Hall, etc.
There is a semi newerish You Tube video of Watts detailing his talents, skills, play, achievement, who he has gotten offers from, etc, and according to that video, and as late as that video, Watts, not only got interest, offers from Seton Hall types, but got interest, an or offers from UW Huskies, and about 7 to 10 to 13 Power Conference, Mid Major, semi good, semi blue blood P5, mid major teams, and has been mentored, coached, developed by NBA PRO coaches, players, who are friends of Slick Watts, and friends of Isiah Watt's friends. And he has played on, for Seattle, Portland AAU, Highschools, summer leagues, EYBL type of events, things, and done well, gotten accolades, awards, played at area PRO AMS, etc. He Isiah Watts has a lot of Athleticism, hops, speed, quickness, FAST, drives, beats others off dribble, explosive, creates own shot, good shooter, good 3 pointer, ok passer, ok assist, good defense, 6-3.
Watts is a 3 star, 3.5 star, lowest ended, just barely by skin of teeth 4 star, by various recruit rankers(247, Rivals, Verbal Commits, ESPN, SI, etc, types). Some have him at 3 stars. Some have him at 4 stars, etc.
Watts will give Rice, Darling, Jabe, a run for their money, and semi might even semi probably be even better then Rice, Darling, Jabe.
Watts is kind of like comparable to Bennet's WSU 3 star recruit Thames.
Watts is nowhere near being a walk in level semi scholly player.
Watts is a awesome recruit. And the only thing that stop Watts from being a contributor, getting more play time, etc, is how loaded WSU is in front of Watts.
3.5 star 6-3 Watts, 3.5 star Mahoney, 3,4, 3.5 star Yesufu, 4, 4.5 star Chinyelu, 3 star JC transfer Cluff, 3.5 star transfer portal Jones, 3.5 star Transfer Wells, those 7 recruits, is a AWESOME RECRUITING class for BOTH this year and future years both, and is only slightly behind Dishon Jackson's, Gueye's, EFE's recruiting classes, and slightly ahead to way ahead of past recruiting classes that didnt have EFE, Dishon, Gueye.
And this recruiting class is probably about the 6th, 7th, 8th best class in PAC 12, and the only reason the class might be as low as 9th in PAC 12, is how extremely awesome the rest of the PAC 12 recruiting has been.
If not for that, in most years this WSU recruiting class would be a 4,5,6,7 ranked class in PAC 12.
And only Arizona, UCLA, USC, UW, Oregon, Stanford, Colorado have a better recruiting class then WSU.
WSU recruiting class, and team is going to win 16,17,18,19,20,21,22 wins, only lose 1,2,3,4 NON CON games, and go 7-13, 8-12, 9-11, 10-10, 11-9, 12-8, 13-7, as a range in conference, and will probably finish 4,5,6,7,8 in conference, and either NIT or CBI or NCAA bubble, AND WILL PROBABLY DO, BE JUST FINE, as long as JELL, and dont have too many KEY INJURIES.
Your way overrating Cluff and way over LOWBALLING WSU, and their recruiting class, team.
Not sure how I’m overrating anybody especially Cluff, like I said I’ve seen game videos where he looked both good and bad. Everything else is based on words out of coach Smith’s mouth. I haven’t seen Watts since he went to prep school so maybe he’s improved a bunch but coming out of high school I wasn’t impressed and woul have gone with Parker. Mohoney is not a PAC level player from what I’m hearing.
Just watched the WSU bball PAC 12 media day video with Smith, Yesufu, Jaki.
Smith called Jaki a ABSOLUTE STUD(HIS WORDS), and said Jaki will play next to Jones, and will play some to most of the time at the 4, next to Jones, at least to start, and will bounce back and forth occasionally between starting at the 4 and starting, playing occasionally at the 3 spot.
He is EXTREMELY HIGH ON YESUFU, JONES, JAKI.
He thinks that all 9 new pieces, team will need to, have to JELL, and will take time to JELL, and that he expects, thinks the team will finish somewhere in the middle of the conference, and be on the bubble borderline between NIT bubble, and NCAA bubble.
Jaki had a lot of insight on Yesufu, team, was EXTREMELY HIGH ON YESUFU, said that the team needs to JELL, is JELLING, and thinks the team will JELL.
He thinks Yesufu is elevating, or will ELEVATE his play, and is impressed with Yesufu's attitude, work, personality, LEADERSHIP, being a court general, and TEACHING, helping the newer freshman recruits, underclassmen to get, be better, develop, that he Yesufu, is like having another AWESOME X's and O's development teaching coach.
He Jaki is also impressed with the BIG FRONTCOURT, and says that WSU will go BIG a lot, and play PHYSICAL, and is impressed with Chinyelu and Cluff, and newcomers
This shows that while Cluff is a semi good player that was a good player at a top notch JC vs top notch competition, that is 6-10 260 BANGER, that post up, scores, passes ok, receives passes ok, soft hands, rebounds, gets position, etc, that he is semi slower, not as fast, is not as athletic, lacks hops, is less of rim protector, tho eats space, etc, because of that Cluff will back up Jones, Jaki, when they are starting at the 4,5 spots, and when Jaki is either playing or starting at the 3, then he will about equally split playing time, co situationally semi start, with Chinyelu, etc, at the 5 spot, when Jones is at the 4 spot, and when Jaki is at the 3 spot.
This video also seems to show, indicate, seems like, etc, that WSU either will probably finish somewhere in the middle of the PAC and will probably be in a post season tournament whether NIT, or CBI, or NCAA bubble, or CIT, or at least that is or should be the EXPECTATION.
Smith called Jaki a ABSOLUTE STUD(HIS WORDS), and said Jaki will play next to Jones, and will play some to most of the time at the 4, next to Jones, at least to start, and will bounce back and forth occasionally between starting at the 4 and starting, playing occasionally at the 3 spot.
He is EXTREMELY HIGH ON YESUFU, JONES, JAKI.
He thinks that all 9 new pieces, team will need to, have to JELL, and will take time to JELL, and that he expects, thinks the team will finish somewhere in the middle of the conference, and be on the bubble borderline between NIT bubble, and NCAA bubble.
Jaki had a lot of insight on Yesufu, team, was EXTREMELY HIGH ON YESUFU, said that the team needs to JELL, is JELLING, and thinks the team will JELL.
He thinks Yesufu is elevating, or will ELEVATE his play, and is impressed with Yesufu's attitude, work, personality, LEADERSHIP, being a court general, and TEACHING, helping the newer freshman recruits, underclassmen to get, be better, develop, that he Yesufu, is like having another AWESOME X's and O's development teaching coach.
He Jaki is also impressed with the BIG FRONTCOURT, and says that WSU will go BIG a lot, and play PHYSICAL, and is impressed with Chinyelu and Cluff, and newcomers
This shows that while Cluff is a semi good player that was a good player at a top notch JC vs top notch competition, that is 6-10 260 BANGER, that post up, scores, passes ok, receives passes ok, soft hands, rebounds, gets position, etc, that he is semi slower, not as fast, is not as athletic, lacks hops, is less of rim protector, tho eats space, etc, because of that Cluff will back up Jones, Jaki, when they are starting at the 4,5 spots, and when Jaki is either playing or starting at the 3, then he will about equally split playing time, co situationally semi start, with Chinyelu, etc, at the 5 spot, when Jones is at the 4 spot, and when Jaki is at the 3 spot.
This video also seems to show, indicate, seems like, etc, that WSU either will probably finish somewhere in the middle of the PAC and will probably be in a post season tournament whether NIT, or CBI, or NCAA bubble, or CIT, or at least that is or should be the EXPECTATION.
Yeah I agree that's strange, as I don't see who else is going to take the role at 2 spot, That Bamba had at the 2 spot.
I know that Jabe can play both 3,2 spots, and that Jabe can flat out shoot the 3 even better then Powell, Bamba, but Jabe is a DEFENSIVE LIABILITY AT THE 1,2 spots, and so is better playing at the 3 spot, or 2 spot, if he improves his defense.
Maybe the media thinks Wells, Jabe, Yesufu, are the goto Guards, but I think it's going to be 1. Yesufu, 2. Kymany, 3. Wells, with Jabe playing at both 3,2 spots, backing up Kymany, Wells, being that INSTANT, CLUTCH 3 POINT OFFENSE FIRST OFF THE BENCH.
So I also don't get why the media is not accounting for Kymany.
I wonder if the media knows something we don't, or if the media just doesn't know what we know about Kymany, etc.
Maybe Kymany still doesn't have good enough of a outside, midrange jumper, 3 point shot to play 2 spot, and maybe not a good enough shooter, passer, assist player to play PG, and maybe can only play the 3 spot, because of maybe bad shooting, and since Wells, Jabe, Jaki is already at 3 spot, if Kymany is stuck at 3 spot because of bad shooting, then maybe Kymany would have trouble getting playing time with Wells, Jabe, Jaki also being able to play 3 spot.
And maybe that's why the media doesn't account for Kymany.
In today's basketball if you can't shoot and Houinsou can't (Darling is worse) then there will never be any hype. 20% from 3, 65% FT, 40% FG and with a very high TO to Assist ratio along with a lousy steal number. Why Hype?
We think he shows flashes of Don Collins, but sub 4 PPG in 16 minutes....
Read a article on SBnation that suggested that IF Darling can back up at the 1,2 spots, and that if Kymany can't shoot good enough for the 2 spot, and if Rice is good, but not good enough to start over Yesufu, at PG, then that Rice could maybe start or get a lot of minutes at the 2 spot.
While that would help the 2 spot, that still leaves a LOG JAM at the 3 spot with Wells, Jabe, Kymany, even if have Jaki play the 4 spot more.
If Jabe can improve his defense at the 2 spot, or if Rice can play the 2 spot, or if can have Rice be PG while Yesufu at 2 spot, or if Kymany can get a outside shot this season, then he could play 2 spot, then the 2 spot will be ok.
I think the 2 spot will be ok, and it's nice that have flexibility options.
While that would help the 2 spot, that still leaves a LOG JAM at the 3 spot with Wells, Jabe, Kymany, even if have Jaki play the 4 spot more.
If Jabe can improve his defense at the 2 spot, or if Rice can play the 2 spot, or if can have Rice be PG while Yesufu at 2 spot, or if Kymany can get a outside shot this season, then he could play 2 spot, then the 2 spot will be ok.
I think the 2 spot will be ok, and it's nice that have flexibility options.
Mullins is a 2 always has been. He has problems on defense but those problems exist at either the 2 or 3 spot probably more so at the 3 because of his lack of size and athleticism. My personal feeling is Houinsou will play 1 or 2 guard and might start at the 2. Coach will run combo guards rather than a traditional point guard as 71 mentioned. I believe eventually Yesufu will be playing more off the ball if someone can step into the role of primary ball handler.
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