Hard fought win. Calmese took over in the second half with 22 points in the half and 27 for the game. Hopefully, Isaiah Watts comes back soon and if the rumor about Vavers coming back is true, this team is better set to finish the season. It looked to me like they had tired legs and two more good players is going to help.
Like I have said, the is a BIG, FAT UGLY BAD HOLE at the 2 , SG spot, as Tharstonsen however name spelled, Wynott, LeJuan Watts are 3's, WINGS, not 2, SG spot guards.
And Gerrit is a PG who sometimes plays 2, SG spot next to Nate as PG, but Gerrit tho good at not turning ball over, and ok passer, and ok defense, he does not drive, does not create own shot, does not score, does not shoot well, has a bad 3 point shooting percent as making, hitting 3's, and shoots a lot of airball 3's that don't even come anywhere even remotely close to hitting the rim.
WSU needs Isiah Watts, Wilson back ASAP.
WSU can survive without Vavers, because Vavers is a 3, WING, not a 2, SG, that needed to plug the hole at 2, SG spot.
Also if Coward comes back that would help a lot, but probably won't happen, and even getting Coward back as awesome as he is, he still is not the needed 2, SG that desperately needed.
And while it would be nice to get Vavers back, he hasn't played at all this season, and dont know how good or bad he will be, and he still isn't a 2, SG.
WSU desperately needs a 2, SG, as Nate can't play both SG, PG all game long, nonstop with no subs subbing for him.
WSU desperately needs Isiah Watts and Wilson back.
Until that happens WSU will continue to usually win, semi dominate, even beat teams they shouldn't, and then lay eggs, BURP, HICCUP, FART against the occasional Pacific, USD, etc, and will have the uncommon bad game.
Also WSU is now the hunted, and are getting the extremely tough ultimate best shot from bad teams who would love to beat WSU.
That combined with the UGLY HOLE at 2,SG spot, due to injuries, and the injuries, and the lack of depth, tired legs, because lots of injuries, is why these games are happening.
It's also hard enough to win on the road, even against bad teams, especially if have lots of injuries like WSU.
A win is a win is a win, especially a road win. I'll take it and be happy.
Also WSU is still 14-5, and will probably be 15-5 before another tough game.
WSU will probably be 20-11, 21-10, 22-9, 23-8, and probably either bubble out into NIT Final 6, 4, 2, or bubble into NCAA tournament as a 7th,8th,9th, 10th, 11th seed.
That's pretty dam good considering all the lots of key injuries WSU has.
Remember when Dick Bennet's team had only 1 injury that was Derek Lowe out for the whole season, WSU did HORRIBLY BAD.
WSU has 4+ Injuries that have happened.
For WSU to be 14-5, with all the lots of key injuries, is epically good coaching by Riley.