MBK Final: Cougs 62, Northwestern (La.) State 52 (Stats)

[ScottHood]

Cougs improve to 8-0.

Story: https://washingtonstate.rivals.com/news/mbk-cougs-hold-off-northwestern-state-stay-unbeaten

Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=320891

Highlights:

Postgame:

 

[kougkurt]

Without NW for the most part. Efe with a monster game again

 

[SaveFerris]

Efe's missed dunks are almost more amazing than his makes. I was worried he would come down and slam his head on the one miss but he bounced right back up.

 

[sellas]

Had to self edit a post about Bonton. grrr.

I don't know if I have ever seen this much depth at WSU.

 

[Coug4life34]

Without NW for the most part. Efe with a monster game again

What happened to NW?

 

[SaveFerris]

What happened to NW?

Knocked heads with a player on the other team early first half. Went to the locker room but came back for a bit in the 2nd half before going to the bench.

 

[Glad Cougar]

Sounded like the Cougars simply had one of their bad days on offense. Shooting was terrible and way too many turnovers. Kind of a shame after being so crisp and efficient on offense the previous two games. But that's to be expected from a real young team. Didn't help to have Noah on the bench for most of the game, he's been so consistent and provides the glue for this team so far this season. Thank goodness for defense. Most teams that shoot 3-23 outside the arc and miss 12 free throws aren't going to win the game (and that kind of performance will always end up being a loss in conference play). Our defense keeps us in every game so that any decent shooting will quite often result in a victory.

Glad to get the win. 8-0 looks good, and even though the competition hasn't been overwhelming, you still have to play and win those games.

Glad Cougar

 

[Rich Lewis]

I wouldn't be surprised if NW ends up in concussion protocol. That was a real blow to both players.

 

[bogusto]

Sounded like the Cougars simply had one of their bad days on offense. Shooting was terrible and way too many turnovers. Kind of a shame after being so crisp and efficient on offense the previous two games. But that's to be expected from a real young team. Didn't help to have Noah on the bench for most of the game, he's been so consistent and provides the glue for this team so far this season. Thank goodness for defense. Most teams that shoot 3-23 outside the arc and miss 12 free throws aren't going to win the game (and that kind of performance will always end up being a loss in conference play). Our defense keeps us in every game so that any decent shooting will quite often result in a victory.

Glad to get the win. 8-0 looks good, and even though the competition hasn't been overwhelming, you still have to play and win those games.

Glad Cougar

The bad shooting and "way too many turnovers" begins and ends with Bonton. With him in as the main distributor the offense can't flow with the same efficiency as with some one else at the point. This has been demonstrated enough times already this season I am surprised the coaching staff insists on returning to the same melancholy script game after game. It was no coincidence our best offensive production of the season came with Rapp at the point for the injured Bonton.

 

[jourdand]

Bonton is the most talented of the guards offensively but if he can’t play the game within himself and quit throwing up wild shots, his time needs to start decreasing. I Truly like him and hate to say that but with the weapons on this team we just don’t need him to push the game so much!

 

[sellas]

I can't think of a player in my basketball viewing history who takes hero ball horrible shot after horrible shot (while shooting 30%) with stupid turnovers mixed in more than Bonton.

He is talented and would be great for the team if he played smarter

 

[M-I-Coug]

Knocked heads with a player on the other team early first half. Went to the locker room but came back for a bit in the 2nd half before going to the bench.

Let me add..."Massively" "knocked heads with a player on the other team early first half. Went to the locker room but came back for a bit in the 2nd half before going to the bench".

Let's hope he's recovered and okay.

 

[7ICoug]

I can't think of a player in my basketball viewing history who takes hero ball horrible shot after horrible shot (while shooting 30%) with stupid turnovers mixed in more than Bonton.

He is talented and would be great for the team if he played smarter

I agree. He just simply isn't in control. His pressing the offense really hurts the entire offensive flow, and I notice that players who should be taking shots (Kunc) seem to defer to him and he takes some horrible shots and he also is just out-of-control. Does some good things on defense and gets boards, but his defense has not very good in the last game out.

Hero ball just describes him.

 

[Coug1990]

I agree. He just simply isn't in control. His pressing the offense really hurts the entire offensive flow, and I notice that players who should be taking shots (Kunc) seem to defer to him and he takes some horrible shots and he also is just out-of-control. Does some good things on defense and gets boards, but his defense has not very good in the last game out.

Hero ball just describes him.

Curious. It is obvious that Coach Smith sees things differently. Why do you think that is?

 

[mikalalas]

Despite having a lot of talent, depth, and winning without Bonton in a weaker noncon game, without Bonton's scoring in Pac 12 games, those games will either be losses or wins with a shorter margin of victory.

Yes Bonton plays out of control at times.

Yes Bonton turns the ball over.

Yes Bonton is a terrible point guard at times.

But where Bonton shines is as a #2 combo, off, scoring, shooting guard, not as a point guard.

Bonton needs a point guard to set him up, set the table for him, and help put him in a position to either score, or pass a assist to another player that scores.

Bonton also needs another scorer on the team, so that he Bonton doesnt have to be a ball hog scorer, and MORE importantly, so that he DOES NOT FEEL LIKE HE HAS TO.

NOW, there are players scoring like Abogidi, Noah Williams, etc.

But earlier in the season, that wasnt there and hadnt developed yet.

Part of the problem was that there really wasnt a PG. Only now is Warren/Rapp, emerging at the PG.

The solution going forward:

1. Move Bonton to the 2 guard spot position.

2. SLIGHTLY decrease Bonton's minutes, but still have Bonton as either a starter or THE 6TH man, 1st off the bench.

3. Have Warren/Rapp PLATOON at the 1, PG spot.

4. Have the Lineup be:

A. 1, PG: Warren/Rapp
B. 2.Bonton/Noah Williams/Bamba.
C. 3. Noah Williams/AJ(6th man/Bench)/Bamba/Kunc
D. 4. Efe Abogidi/Miller(6th man, bench, situational starter)/AJ(6th man, bench)/Kunc(Bench)
E.5.Vov/Efe/Dischon/Chatfield/Mill

5. Bonton needs to let the game come to him, TRUST coach Smith, TRUST his teammates.

6. Coach Smith needs to make the right lineup changes, move Warren/Rapp to PG, move Bonton to the 2, and coach, talk to Bonton, get Bonton to let the game come to him, pass better, more, turn the ball over less, trust his teammates, take better shots, etc.

Bonton plays hard. Good Defense, steals, rebounding, scoring, etc.

He just needs to stay within himself, let the game come to him, and needs the solution of lineup, position change, etc.

When, if that happens, he'll be just fine for the team.

Saying Bonton is not needed is just not accurate, especially against the Pac 12.

 

[jourdand]

Curious. It is obvious that Coach Smith sees things differently. Why do you think that is?

I think coach believed Bonton would be our primary scoring option even in these cup cake games and will be our primary scoring option going forward. Our other players have proven they can score against lower tier competition, especially Efe and Williams but coach might not want to reel Bonton in till they prove it in real competition. Just a thought!

 

[7ICoug]

Curious. It is obvious that Coach Smith sees things differently. Why do you think that is?

I have no idea. He is a prolific scorer but even Coach Smith can't possibly like the stat line of Bonton.

29.5% 23.3% from 3PT, 25 TO, 25 Assists, 11 Steals. FT% way down from last year. Rebounds are very good.
Defense is usually good and he can handle the ball until he goes into Hero mode. Minutes are way too high.

Back atcha why do you think Coach Smith see's it differently?

 

[SaveFerris]

I think coach believed Bonton would be our primary scoring option even in these cup cake games and will be our primary scoring option going forward. Our other players have proven they can score against lower tier competition, especially Efe and Williams but coach might not want to reel Bonton in till they prove it in real competition. Just a thought!

It seems defense is a non-negotiable, #2 is ball management, and everything else is further down the list. Bonton can defend although there were multiple bad moments in the last game with his defense. Bonton's been off the ball more when Rapp and Williams are in the game. Less with Warren but in time Jakimovski will probably trigger the offense at times as well. I'm hoping the Williams "head knock" doesn't turn into something that gets him out of sync or we lose him all together for an indefinite period of time. The better he plays the less shot making we see from Bonton. Would also help if somehow Rapp, Jakimovski, and Vova' prove they can defend in conference games.

I listened to an interview with Bonton before the season. He made a subtle indication coming back isn't necessarily in his plans.

 

[Coug4life34]

Curious. It is obvious that Coach Smith sees things differently. Why do you think that is?

I think the answer is simple.. We have played nobody. I too am excited about our future, but these are not pac 12 teams. I am excited about the FUTURE! I think coach Smith knows as I have stated in previous threads that when the defense increases and the talent level favors the competition as it will for most nights in the PAC 12 , we will need even more of what Bonton provides. Anyone who thinks Rapp and company will lead us to victory over PAC 12 competition is wearing rose colored glasses. Bonton is certainly all of the things everyone says he is in terms of being out of control, taking bad shots, turnovers, etc... but, he still changes the dynamic of the game that will allow other players to be successful. He takes pressure off of others and is the focus of the defense... Unfortunately, he doesn’t do it by playing the type of ball we would all like to see, but without him our chances in the conference go way way down..