...as a whole look more athletic than any team Smith has had?
Isaac Jones taking it to the rim for a major flush against a defender yesterday was just nasty.
I've seen some other plays that impressed me. Seems like we have guys who can create their own shots more than years past.
I guess we will have to see vs high quality Pac 12 competition how they do though.
It's not a question of pure, raw athleticism.
Gueye, EFE, Dishon Jackson, Bamba, Noah Williams, etc, were MORE athletic.
And Gueye, Efe, have made dunks, plays, that were way the hell better then anything Isaac Jones has done.
The difference, is HEIGHT, WEIGHT, SIZE, having a NBA esque frame.
In that area except at the PG spot, WSU has more COMBINED HEIGHT, WEIGHT, SIZE, NBA ESQUE FRAMES, AND COMBINED WITH ATHLETICISM, that COMBINED with the SKILLS, TALENT, EXPERIENCE, ETC, GIVES SO MUCH VERSATILITY, FLEXIBILITY, DEPTH, ETC, OVER OPPONENTS.
With this lineup WSU can pound it inside, and score inside, or create their own shot, drive from the perimeter to slash, penetrate inside, attack the basket, and FINISH, SCORE at the rim, and if things clog up inside, kick it out for a OPEN, EASY, either midrange jumper, or 3 point shot.
That's a lot more consistent, better then either trying to Drive into amongst the taller then you trees, or jacking up 3 pointers.
Past WSU guards, 1,2,3's were 5-10 at PG, 6-1,2,3 at SG, 6-3,4,5,6 at 3 spot. Now WSU is 6-0,1 at PG, 6-2,3,4,5,6 at SG, and 6-6,7,8,9 at 3, SG, Wing,
And in the Past, Isaac Jones, EFE, Gueye, Dischon Jackson, would have been 5's, Centers. Now Isaac Jones, Jaki can play the 4, 3 spots, with a TRUE 6-11.5 to 7-0 244 pound, 7-8 Wingspan CENTER. And WSU has a TRUE POST UP CENTER in 6-10.5, 6-11, 256 pound Cluff.
HEIGHT + GOOD WEIGHT + SIZE + NBA ESQUE FRAMES + ATHLETICISM + SKILL + TALENT + EXPERIENCE, ETC MATTERS MORE THEN ANYTHING ELSE A LOT IN BBALL.
In the past didn't have a lot of height, etc, and tho had some athleticism, had some of those pieces, things, they didn't have as many of those things all combined together like this years team.
Now as you said, we'll see how they will do in conference. But even if they were to lose in conference, the team still has better size, etc, and it wouldn't be lack of size, athleticism, etc, that would cause losses, it would be the 9, NINE, NEW PIECES, NOT JELLING, NOT HAVING CHEMISTRY, NOT PLAYING TOGETHER, ETC, that would cause the losses, if they lose, despite the size, athleticism.
That said, I think WSU will win about 17,18,19,20,21,22,23 wins by end of regular season, 10-2, 9-3 in noncon, and 9-11, 10-10, 11-9, 12-8, 13-7 in conference, tied for 3,4 at best, alone in 6th,7th at worst, 1,2 PAC tourny wins, NIT Elite 8, NCAA bubble(50/50 that make NCAA's), 2nd round of NCAA tourny if make it. 21,22,23,24,25 total wins after post season play done.
Think that's a realistic projection.
Size can, does semi rule basketball.
And WSU has MORE SIZE.
And that's been the difference, and will continue to be the difference overall, over the long term this season.