Senior Day vs Oregon - Michael Flowers

[mikalalas]

I remember that, and I agree with him. The players on the team were very inconsistent, and it led to a lot of close losses. Experienced players become more consistent.

Still, tied for fifth place in the Pac 12 is a nice place to be.

The players were inconsistent, because of the Sophmore BIGS, AND because altho most were EXPERIENCED, on team, a lot of them hadn't played together, so DESPITE, being the most talented team in WSU history, they didn't have CHEMISTRY together, and needed to grow, develop, have more chemistry, jell, TOGETHER, etc, and that took time.

Also D Jackson, and Efe being injured didn't help either.

 

[Observer11]

Isn't it funny how for a lot of fans this season has felt disappointing, yet the Cougars finish no worse than a tie for 5th and possibly tied for 4th if Colorado loses. First winning conference record since the Sweet Sixteen team, I believe. I think all those close losses, especially in non-conference play, made it seem like we should have done better. But I'll take the results on the whole.

Glad Cougar

We SHOULD have done better. That's the frustration.

Basking in wins over Oregon State and a slumping Oregon doesn't erase that.

Hopefully the Cougs get some extra work in post-season and continue to work on the woes that have plagued them offensively the entire season. Specifically, share the damned ball every game. 21 assists is a nice start.

 

[7ICoug]

They actually have a "real" PG on the roster who redshirted this year, Miles Rice. 6-2 175 and a lead guard.

They also thought Jeff was a guard but he evidently hasn't panned out, but who knows.

 

[Glad Cougar]

We SHOULD have done better. That's the frustration.

Basking in wins over Oregon State and a slumping Oregon doesn't erase that.

Hopefully the Cougs get some extra work in post-season and continue to work on the woes that have plagued them offensively the entire season. Specifically, share the damned ball every game. 21 assists is a nice start.

Yes, it's easy to point to a handful of games that really should have been victories (EWU, SDSU, NMSU, Stanford, ASU, and at least one of the USC games)....but I have to keep remembering that this team was still relatively young. Lots of reliance on underclassmen, especially the big guys. The fact that the Cougars were competitive in most games this year was a good sign. I think it's a year to build from.....my expectations will be higher next year.

I don't really think anyone is basking in the wins over OSU and UO, but it's okay to feel good that we won those games.

Glad Cougar

 

[Coug1990]

They actually have a "real" PG on the roster who redshirted this year, Miles Rice. 6-2 175 and a lead guard.

They also thought Jeff was a guard but he evidently hasn't panned out, but who knows.

Many of the things that were said about Jefferson are being said about Miles. I hope what is being said is true, but I want to see it. I still would rather WSU hit the transfer portal for an experienced PG. Next year sets up well for a tourney run. I would rather not leave it to a PG that redshirted this year.

 

[Coug1990]

We SHOULD have done better. That's the frustration.

Basking in wins over Oregon State and a slumping Oregon doesn't erase that.

Hopefully the Cougs get some extra work in post-season and continue to work on the woes that have plagued them offensively the entire season. Specifically, share the damned ball every game. 21 assists is a nice start.

Why SHOULD they have done better? Could your expectations been off?

 

[Rich Lewis]

We SHOULD have done better. That's the frustration.

Basking in wins over Oregon State and a slumping Oregon doesn't erase that.

Hopefully the Cougs get some extra work in post-season and continue to work on the woes that have plagued them offensively the entire season. Specifically, share the damned ball every game. 21 assists is a nice start.

I guess all of us expected more. You tend to blame it on coaching. Maybe you're right. I'm not so sure. Smith has proven over the years he can coach. I don't think he just forgot this season. Maybe he coached to the players he had. Two things that disappointed me this year were Noah's regression. He cost us games. And Efe did not progress as I expected he would. I really thought he would have a breakout season. Having said that, I could be completely wrong. I've never been a coach or a player, just a watcher. As a watcher I can't count how many times over the past 60+ years I would have jumped for joy for an 18-13, 11-9 regular season. Guess I'll be happy about this one.

 

[Dusty.Hooper]

IMHO - the team is showing improvement and takes some time. We have a young team, especially the bigs. And need to remember, the injury bug took a big bite. Efe’s knee, Jackson’s eye, Bamba, and who knows whats with Williams (he was wrapping himself to get warm during one game). My concern this year, was living or dying by the three. It worked last 2 games, but need to work on improving offense and movement When Flowers / Williams are off. We are 151st in 3 pt %. They are still learning to play together, hopefully the underclassmen stay intact.

 

[Coug1990]

I guess all of us expected more. You tend to blame it on coaching. Maybe you're right. I'm not so sure. Smith has proven over the years he can coach. I don't think he just forgot this season. Maybe he coached to the players he had. Two things that disappointed me this year were Noah's regression. He cost us games. And Efe did not progress as I expected he would. I really thought he would have a breakout season. Having said that, I could be completely wrong. I've never been a coach or a player, just a watcher. As a watcher I can't count how many times over the past 60+ years I would have jumped for joy for an 18-13, 11-9 regular season. Guess I'll be happy about this one.

I think Efe has been hampered all year with his knee. His minutes have always been limited all season. In interviews here and there, Smith will say something regarding Efe. Players often improve during the offseason, as they do a lot of skill work. I don't think he had that chance because of his injury.

Regarding Williams, I am not sure what happened to him this year. He was good as a freshman, but he was really good last season. This year he has been worse than what he was as a freshman. I still think there is something else going on regarding him, but that is just speculation.

Frankly, overall, this season has been a success. We all would like more. But, the team was not ready to do more yet. They are still figuring things out.

 

[Coug4life34]

We SHOULD have done better. That's the frustration.

Basking in wins over Oregon State and a slumping Oregon doesn't erase that.

Hopefully the Cougs get some extra work in post-season and continue to work on the woes that have plagued them offensively the entire season. Specifically, share the damned ball every game. 21 assists is a nice start.

What are you even talking about? Based on a handful of plays that cost us games YOU thought we should have won? That is the nature of sports, Given the injuries and youth on this roster I thought we did well. Your SHOULD is a phrase that every team in the country could use every year.. The only thing that matches up to your flawed opinion now is the flawed expectation you and others had to start the season.. Too often we base our opinions on if everything goes perfect.

 

[Coug4life34]

I guess all of us expected more. You tend to blame it on coaching. Maybe you're right. I'm not so sure. Smith has proven over the years he can coach. I don't think he just forgot this season. Maybe he coached to the players he had. Two things that disappointed me this year were Noah's regression. He cost us games. And Efe did not progress as I expected he would. I really thought he would have a breakout season. Having said that, I could be completely wrong. I've never been a coach or a player, just a watcher. As a watcher I can't count how many times over the past 60+ years I would have jumped for joy for an 18-13, 11-9 regular season. Guess I'll be happy about this one.

I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to expectations.. They occurr in a vacuum, but that is rarely reality. That’s what’s great about sports. Factoring in injuries, Fat little girlfriends, and the unexpected. Coaches should be evaluated over time not in one season. Given those factors I think we are who we thought we were. We finished tied for 5th and had winning conference record for one of the few times ever…

 

[mikalalas]

They actually have a "real" PG on the roster who redshirted this year, Miles Rice. 6-2 175 and a lead guard.

They also thought Jeff was a guard but he evidently hasn't panned out, but who knows.

But Myles Rice, probably won't be ready to step up, be a big time real, true, pure point guard, until his Junior year, after next season.

 

[mikalalas]

I guess all of us expected more. You tend to blame it on coaching. Maybe you're right. I'm not so sure. Smith has proven over the years he can coach. I don't think he just forgot this season. Maybe he coached to the players he had. Two things that disappointed me this year were Noah's regression. He cost us games. And Efe did not progress as I expected he would. I really thought he would have a breakout season. Having said that, I could be completely wrong. I've never been a coach or a player, just a watcher. As a watcher I can't count how many times over the past 60+ years I would have jumped for joy for an 18-13, 11-9 regular season. Guess I'll be happy about this one.

Efe's and D Jackson's INJURIES TEMPORARILY STUNTED their progress, growth, development, this year.

Your right about Noah's offensive shooting regression, etc.

 

[mikalalas]

IMHO - the team is showing improvement and takes some time. We have a young team, especially the bigs. And need to remember, the injury bug took a big bite. Efe’s knee, Jackson’s eye, Bamba, and who knows whats with Williams (he was wrapping himself to get warm during one game). My concern this year, was living or dying by the three. It worked last 2 games, but need to work on improving offense and movement When Flowers / Williams are off. We are 151st in 3 pt %. They are still learning to play together, hopefully the underclassmen stay intact.

Now that D Jackson, Efe, Gueye are playing better INSIDE, WSU CAN go inside, IF, WHEN the guards give it to the bigs more, which is happening more. And the bigs inside play, and the guards driving more, is opening up better, more wide open 3 point shots for good shooters on perimeter

 

[mikalalas]

What are you even talking about? Based on a handful of plays that cost us games YOU thought we should have won? That is the nature of sports, Given the injuries and youth on this roster I thought we did well. Your SHOULD is a phrase that every team in the country could use every year.. The only thing that matches up to your flawed opinion now is the flawed expectation you and others had to start the season.. Too often we base our opinions on if everything goes perfect.

WSU WOULD have won more IF: 1. Less injuries. 2. Noah hadn't REGRESSED. 3.:Team had developed better CHEMISTRY, Jelled TOGETHER better.

 

[mikalalas]

I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to expectations.. They occurr in a vacuum, but that is rarely reality. That’s what’s great about sports. Factoring in injuries, Fat little girlfriends, and the unexpected. Coaches should be evaluated over time not in one season. Given those factors I think we are who we thought we were. We finished tied for 5th and had winning conference record for one of the few times ever…

And 4,5,6 in conference is what ESPN, 247, Ken Pom, Athlon, Phil Steele, etc, ranked WSU.