Que gone
- Thread starter jourdand
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While it is disappointing to see players leaving,it is not unexpected. The team had more talent than it showed and change needs to happen I do not consider it funny as some people obviously do. I am hoping for a couple of quality recruits who will help the team turn things around
Transfers happen a lot but usually you don't see players with 1-to-play and starters (Izundu might have been part-time but started a lot of games when healthy) leave. They usually just ride it out.
Something behind the scenes seems to be going on down there. TV announcers were going out their way every game during the losing streak to proclaim how hard this team was still working. However, I saw lack of effort by some players on occasion, and a lack of development by most of the newcomers over the course of the year. All of this puzzling after a year in which the team over achieved during Ernie initial campaign. Even our weaknesses seemed out of character. We didn't get turnovers because of too much run and gun, rather we turned the ball over because too much plodding in the half court that left us pushing up against shot clocks at least 10 possessions per game on average.
Even before Ques departure I felt that there were necessary fixes needed in the program that went beyond finding better talent. I have never professed to be close to the program, and have also never been quick to call for a coaches head, so I am not going to pretend to know what is going on or what needs to be done. I wish I could feel that finding a couple of more good players would turn things around.
Even before Ques departure I felt that there were necessary fixes needed in the program that went beyond finding better talent. I have never professed to be close to the program, and have also never been quick to call for a coaches head, so I am not going to pretend to know what is going on or what needs to be done. I wish I could feel that finding a couple of more good players would turn things around.
First class is a total throw away. Second class went heavy JCs and looking somewhat of a wreck. Either they decided to go quick fix but couldn't get the quality of JC you need or they couldn't get high school players and had to get what they could get.
My feeling would change a bit if they are able to get the guard in the story on Brandx (haven't seen him but at least he had a Pac 12 offer before Utah let him go) and the former ASU PF signee. At least they appear better than the players in the first class and a step in the right direction. Just start over but they have to do a lot better than they have to date getting players that can hopefully play someday in the Pac 12.
My feeling would change a bit if they are able to get the guard in the story on Brandx (haven't seen him but at least he had a Pac 12 offer before Utah let him go) and the former ASU PF signee. At least they appear better than the players in the first class and a step in the right direction. Just start over but they have to do a lot better than they have to date getting players that can hopefully play someday in the Pac 12.
I agree with you about the lack of effort at various times this year. Some players always played hard, but a couple of those blowout games were the result of poor execution and poor effort by a majority of the players. Teams can always fight hard to stay competitive in a game, at least stay within 20 points. But there were a few games the team, in general, quit including the conference tournament game vs. Colorado, just like the conference tournament game last year vs. Cal. Both of those games, I couldn't understand why WSU wasn't motivated to play better when given an opportunity to start with a clean slate.
I think some fans greatly underestimated the value of Lacy, DKD, and Railey in Kent's first year. I always thought highly of Lacy...not so much on the other two, but perhaps I was wrong. All three were instrumental in having a better-than-expected first season for Ernie.
I'm sure there is more to the story of the transfers than we will possibly ever know, but I don't think Kent counted on Izundu and Que to leave before their senior years.
Glad Cougar
I think some fans greatly underestimated the value of Lacy, DKD, and Railey in Kent's first year. I always thought highly of Lacy...not so much on the other two, but perhaps I was wrong. All three were instrumental in having a better-than-expected first season for Ernie.
I'm sure there is more to the story of the transfers than we will possibly ever know, but I don't think Kent counted on Izundu and Que to leave before their senior years.
Glad Cougar
Not if only 1 or 2 players can't consistently knock down an open jump shot. That's what DKD provided and obviously Lacy. We really didn't replace either from last year.
I did not expect Izundu to leave but expected Johnson to leave. Izundu will be missed but Johnson if one takes into account both his offensive and defensive production will not really be missed. I believe that the team will be better next year just from playing with more intensity and team work.
Not so much about what we lose in Que, but what it tells us about the program that he is choosing to leave. I agree about Lacy. Not just a great player, but a gamer and a floor leader who seemed to pull the other guys up to his energy level.
What bothers me is that we got too caught up in bringing in 7 new guys and how it would take time to jell. In reality we had 4 experienced upper class guys returning. No matter how Callison started, all we needed was him assimilating into the lineup over the course of the season. It didn't happen, and I am not blaming him for it. Just not sure what happened.
What bothers me is that we got too caught up in bringing in 7 new guys and how it would take time to jell. In reality we had 4 experienced upper class guys returning. No matter how Callison started, all we needed was him assimilating into the lineup over the course of the season. It didn't happen, and I am not blaming him for it. Just not sure what happened.
You could be spot on about lack of chemistry but recently I heard someone somewhere speaking about chemistry. He talked about how some of the most talented and successful teams didn't necessarily get along on or off the court and generally disliked or even seemed to hate each other. I do think 'chemistry' is more important on the college level (the guy was probably talking pro sports generally and NBA specifically) but I am not so sure it matters more than having good players. Chemistry or no chemistry there wasn't much beyond Josh Hawkinson.
Maybe chemistry is the wrong term, I don't know. I didn't expect this team to get to post season, but the pieces were there to be a lot better than 1-17. These guys looked a lot like Bones last team that completely lost confidence. There was no energy on the floor. Even a guy going rogue and jacking up early treys like Aden use to do would have been a welcome sign with these guys.
I think that chemistry is the right word. Those guys had lost confidence in each other and quit playing together. The team showed signs early but quit playing later in the season. Kent needs to find the right combinations and get these guys to play together.As stated earlier the three guys he recruited this years seem to want to help their team and other players to get better.
Last season was too close to Bone's last year that I wouldn't argue with the comparison. Bone never seemed to do what Kent did year 1 though in terms of bringing everyone together making last year feel like a WTF is going on? It couldn't have been a very happy locker room last season and maybe they needed to clean house.
I don't have too much of a problem with any of the 3 players coming in. At least they will have some time with them and maybe they will come together like we have seen in the past. I hope they stick to high school unless the JC is definitely legit.
As much as I didn't like so many JC kids this season, it really makes sense to sign at least 1 JC this spring. I would prefer not to see a 6 man freshman class. However, I think the term "best available" is the operative term for a program in the position of WSU.
I also like the 3 kids coming in. Getting a year at an academy for Pollard was great. I have heard nothing but good things about Acquaah, and after watching some more film, I think Flynn might be the real deal. It sounds like he really blew up his senior season, not unlike Lacy did after he signed with WSU.
I think being so dependent on great pg play is a weakness of Kents system, but if you can get the great pg play then you can be pretty good.
I also like the 3 kids coming in. Getting a year at an academy for Pollard was great. I have heard nothing but good things about Acquaah, and after watching some more film, I think Flynn might be the real deal. It sounds like he really blew up his senior season, not unlike Lacy did after he signed with WSU.
I think being so dependent on great pg play is a weakness of Kents system, but if you can get the great pg play then you can be pretty good.
It seems the emphasis has been on recruiting guards. I would like to know what big guys Ernie is looking at. With Izundu leaving, we will be counting on a true frosh (Pollard) to back up Josh and Clifford. Presently, there are no other big guys on the roster that I'm aware of. Injuries and foul trouble up front could spell trouble. I expect a JC center/forward to be brought in, or maybe a 5th year transfer.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
Agree with Ava on 6 player frosh class. That's too many. Really would like to think we have a shot at Siewert.
Ah right. I had forgotten about Franks, although he seems more of a perimeter player despite his size. Can't remember anything about his rebounding, he probably didn't play enough for that aspect to register.
Glad Cougar
he seemed to need to get in better shape but he's has some time. Still hoping he grows.
