MBK: Kansas State 68, Cougs 65 (Story + Box Score + Postgame Presser)

[ScottHood]

K-State rallies in 2H.

Story: https://washingtonstate.rivals.com/news/hoops-cougs-can-t-hold-lead-fall-to-kansas-state-in-spokane

Box Score: http://www.wsucougars.com/boxscore.aspx?path=mbball&id=8569

Postgame Presser:

 

[ElComanche]

A tough one to lose. Somehow this team just does not play well in the first half.The game went about like i expected and was very close. The cougs had a better team but lost the game. To me,there is no such thing as a moral victory. A loss is a loss, they have to learn to step up and quit seizing defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[Loyal Coug]

A tough one to lose. Somehow this team just does not play well in the first half.The game went about like i expected and was very close. The cougs had a better team but lost the game. To me,there is no such thing as a moral victory. A loss is a loss, they have to learn to step up and quit seizing defeat from the jaws of victory.

Had to look this one up on Wikipedia. The relevant phrase is "to Coug it". Just sayin'.......

 

[SaveFerris]

Carter Skaggs was the only reason we were in the game. Skaggs not only makes good decisions but he plays with so much energy and fire. That's how we need to play. Flynn stepped up in the second half but like the rest of the players had a tough final few minutes.

 

[ElComanche]

The mind set and energy level needed to win against a good team, does not click in the first half.

 

[avabob1]

Franks really struggled at both ends the entire game.

 

[ElComanche]

Aquaah needs to play better. People forget that he played well during the first six games.He did not shoot well but his play contributed to those six wins

 

[avabob1]

His shooting woes have definitely affected the rest of his game

 

[bogusto]

I haven't seen Acquaah play particularly well, period. His shooting is erratic at best, just plain bad mostly, he's prone to making turnovers, dribbles it too much, and is anathema to the offensive flow of the team. I would rather see Skaggs starting or at least in a six-man rotation with Flynn, Daniels, Bernsteine, Franks and Pollard.

 

[ElComanche]

As the cougs get into conference play ,i believe that Skaggs becomes less effective. He should be good in spots but may struggle against taller more athletic teams.The cougs will need players to hold their own both offensively and defensively. Time will tell.

 

[SaveFerris]

As the cougs get into conference play ,i believe that Skaggs becomes less effective. He should be good in spots but may struggle against taller more athletic teams.The cougs will need players to hold their own both offensively and defensively. Time will tell.

Skaggs has been better and earned playing time. He has his flaws but we play better with him on the floor.

 

[ElComanche]

Kent will decide who gets the playing time. Milan can be the cougs best defensive guard. If a teams has guards who can penetrate and slash to the basket,Skaggs becomes a painful defensive liability. Milan needs to succeed in order for the cougs to be a good team. Ifit is defense ,Kent wants,he will not get it from Skaggs,

 

[avabob1]

I like Skaggs too, but the guy who has a chance to be the best slasher, and a good defender is Acquaah. With the emergence of Daniels as a 3 point threat, and Skaggs off the bench we finally have enough shooters. We need the guy who can get to the rim.

 

[jourdand]

It is far too early to give up on Acquaah but he is way more of a project than I thought especially after having already been in the program last year as a redshirt. His decision making is what really hurts him. He seems to literally take the team out of any kind of offensive flow. He reminds me so much of Ike with his erratic play. Plus it appears at this point that Ergas is another wasted scholarship.

 

[avabob1]

I thought Acquaah would be more ready too. He looked really good in the exhibition game but just can't seem to adjust to the pace and physicality of the higher D-1 game. Not giving up on him either

 

[ElComanche]

I agree that Ergas seems to be a wasted scholarship . i was wondering if he will transfer for more playing time

 

[SaveFerris]

Shouldn't give up on Acquaah in first half of year 1 but he hasn't adjusted to the scout. Turnovers, fouls, poor shooting. Needs to play but at the moment he's not playing well on either end.

I do wonder why Chidom's minutes have dramatically been reduced. Maybe he picked up the flu or something.

 

[ElComanche]

Interesting comment. I also wonder why Chidom is not playing

 

[avabob1]

Didn't surprise me about Chidom minutes vs K State. Very physical front line that would have given him real trouble. However lack of minutes against BC suggests he might have had some flu. By the way, I didn't think Franks looked 100% against KState. Could be wrong because nobody said anything