Kamie Ethridge

[Coug1990]

Here is a press conference with Coach Ethridge. She talks about many things including who will redshirt and a player that may end up eventually being the best player ever to put on a Cougar uniform. I am excited.

WSU Basketball Coach Kamie Ethridge

 

[SaveFerris]

Good listen. Excited to see how the returning players have improved and what the new players bring to the table. Hoping we were able to address the gaps from last year that were clear after CL-W's injury.

We are definitely young, but the overall roster top-to-bottom looks stronger on paper.

 

[Coug1990]

Coach believes this is the deepest team. Sometimes when you have a superstar, other players will always defer to that player. Other players may step up now that CLW has moved on. Coach also said that she will not just roll out the same lineup as they have in the past. They will play matchups more than they have previously. They will have a small lineup and a big lineup.

My prediction is that if this freshman class stays together at WSU, by the time they are upperclasswomen, they will go deep into the tournament.

 

[COCoug]

Yes- she definitely LOVES this team. I think they are going to be really good, and with a much more realistic schedule. They really need to win one of those big early "out-of-conference" games, and at least one against Gonzaga.

And reading a little between the lines, I think she is kind of glad Bella and CLW are gone...
I think they will be much deeper and more consistent than in the past. Will be interesting to see how she divides up the minutes with so many young talented players. Also kind of interesting she never mentioned AT once, but I guess it was more about introducing all of the new players.

 

[SaveFerris]

I'm pretty sure Ethridge would like it if they got a 5th year out of CL-W. Her comment on Mendes is exciting. When Dart signed in the fall she talked about her absorbing the loss of CL-W. You need difference makers.

Coach believes this is the deepest team. Sometimes when you have a superstar, other players will always defer to that player. Other players may step up now that CLW has moved on. Coach also said that she will not just roll out the same lineup as they have in the past. They will play matchups more than they have previously. They will have a small lineup and a big lineup.

My prediction is that if this freshman class stays together at WSU, by the time they are upperclasswomen, they will go deep into the tournament.

Yeah, the 6 frosh (RFR Kpetikou & redshirting Koorits) plus sophomores E Villa, J Villa, and Covill would be nice to keep and grow together for a few years. Good to have more roster competition.

 

[COCoug]

I'm pretty sure Ethridge would like it if they got a 5th year out of CL-W. Her comment on Mendes is exciting. When Dart signed in the fall she talked about her absorbing the loss of CL-W. You need difference makers.

CLW magic was as a high volume shooter, It will be interesting to see how that translates at UCLA, assuming she is coming off the bench, recovering from an injury, in a loaded line-up. She definitely has plenty of skills, but even last year was struggling to get her offense going most of the season when she was getting fewer shots.

 

[SaveFerris]

CLW magic was as a high volume shooter, It will be interesting to see how that translates at UCLA, assuming she is coming off the bench, recovering from an injury, in a loaded line-up. She definitely has plenty of skills, but even last year was struggling to get her offense going most of the season when she was getting fewer shots.

I was a bit surprised she picked UCLA. Still, we were up 20 with her before the injury against UCLA that was just as stacked a roster even without Betts. If she's healthy she should find a role (although I'm not a fan of Close).

Last year I did expect her 3 shooting to become more consistent. Neither her or sister Krystal were always the most efficient players. They both had more turnovers that you would like and not the best FG%. However, they both had the "clutch gene", Big value in that kind of talent. CL-W could also carry the load when we needed it. More of a committee approach this year.

This is a good roster. If we can stay healthy I think we have a good shot to win the WCC. If we can knock off a few early and not have any bad losses the OOC schedule is setup to get us an at-large.

 

[7ICoug]

Getting paid to rehab is a good deal.

I agree this year we have a good shot to make the tournament again.

 

[Coug1990]

EWU came out on fire and WSU came out cold. EWU at one time had an 8 point lead, but WSU has narrowed it down to 1. It's early, but Chiu looks very athletic.

 

[SaveFerris]

Chiu is definitely quick. Alsina looks as advertised. Solid defense and good range.

 

[Coug1990]

For as well as EWU is playing and for as bad as WSU is playing, the Cougs are hanging around down only 7.

 

[Coug1990]

EWU is outhustling the Cougs. 12 more rebounds in the first half.

 

[SaveFerris]

Yup, lots of defensive lapses and not so great offensive flow. Wonder if we come out with a different lineup?

 

[Coug1990]

Cougs came out flat in the second half and were down by 15. But they came back strong and took the lead. But EWU hit a three and lead by one going into the 4th quarter.

 

[SaveFerris]

Well, it wasn't pretty but they came away with a win. Some clutch shooting and defense in OT. Wallack goes 44 minutes and was definitely the leader. Tuhina with the 3 to take the lead and Alsina with the defense to close it out.

Eagles outrebound us 37-52 for the game.

 

[Rich Lewis]

Want to see the box score on this one. Horrible from 3. D picked up halfway through the 3rd and the intensity followed. Lot of work to do. Wallack and Abraham saved the day.

 

[SaveFerris]

Eastern was great from 3 going 10-16 or 63%. So our perimeter defense needs some focus.

They were only 8-19 (42%) from the line.

 

[Coug1990]

Eastern was great from 3 going 10-16 or 63%. So our perimeter defense needs some focus.

They were only 8-19 (42%) from the line.

They were also able to drive on us when they needed. I am sure Kamie is happy with the win, but not with the defense. Still, freshman got a lot of minutes and should improve as the season goes along.

 

[COCoug]

Crazy to say it, but this was essentially a "must win", with Stanford coming up on Thursday and our much lower SOS. We can't afford to lose any home games. Hated to see another first half dead zone in scoring when we got into a deep early hole. The real issue was terrible 3-point shooting in the first half, but otherwise a pretty solid second half. Hopefully EWU will turn out to be a pretty good team, kind of like Wisconsin Green Bay last year.