Haven't been able to read it yet but KREM's Brenna Greene sits down with Smith.
Smith Interview
- Thread starter SaveFerris
- Start date
Very good article. I am really encouraged not by what we have now, but his statements about future recruiting and his belief that “we are building something nice”. Not always coaches make those types of statements.
We haven't seen this kind of roster talent since the Bennett's although a couple years under Bone were pretty talented. On paper though this roster is both talented at the top and deep. Question is whether it can all come together like it did under Tony in his first and second year? Those teams had great chemistry and played better as a team than the sum of the parts might have suggested. I think we will need to get to that level of chemistry again to reach our potential.
New Mexico State added for Dec. 15 in Pullman. I would like a regular Tournament with some quality names but those are filled at this point. Good to see an improved schedule for sure though.
Just what's been announced so far but I don't think the official site has announced a full schedule as of yet.
https://bracketeer.org/nonconference/pac12
Washington State
Home vs. Eastern Washington
vs. UC Santa Barbara
vs. Seattle U.
Dec. 15 vs. New Mexico State
Road at Idaho
Washington State Classic
Nov. 9-14 (Opponents TBA)
Spokane Events
Dec. 11 vs. South Dakota State
Dec. 22 vs. Boise State
https://bracketeer.org/nonconference/pac12
Washington State
Home vs. Eastern Washington
vs. UC Santa Barbara
vs. Seattle U.
Dec. 15 vs. New Mexico State
Road at Idaho
Washington State Classic
Nov. 9-14 (Opponents TBA)
Spokane Events
Dec. 11 vs. South Dakota State
Dec. 22 vs. Boise State
Altho your general point is right.
You have to go back to either Raveling an or Sampson to find talent, top to bottom depth comparable to this team.
That Bennet team was only that awesome, talented, because of Dick/Tony coaching them up, developing, and the SYSTEM they played in.
Even then, it took about 2 an 1/2 years of BAD, losing 40 point games bball for them to get as good as they got.
And Raveling, Sampson, Good coaches would have either STRUGGLED mightily, an or been unsuccessful in developing, coaching them up to the levels they got.
That team was like the HOOSIERS movie team.
It took until those players were Juniors, seniors, 5th year seniors to get as good talent wise as the freshman, sophs, Juniors on this, Smith's team.
And coming out of Highschool, and even the transfer's rankings, stats, accolades, stats, etc, would have destroyed the rankings, ratings, accolades, stats, etc, of Bennets players, coming out of High School, Transfers, ON PAPER.
Even Dick Bennet said over and over that they were players nobody else wanted, and would have to lose a LOT first.
The Bennets made those players, those NCAA Teams more then the lowly sum of their parts.
Thats nothing to Snide at.
But the truth, facts, reality is, that this team is the most Talented, highest rate talent, top to bottom, and depth wise since Raveling, NOT since Bennet.
But that said Smith now needs to get this team to the NCAA Tourny, NIT Final 4, and either a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th place Conference finish.
And to do that, this team will need to make the most of the experience it faces, and on FIT, CHEMISTRY, JELLING, COACHING, etc.
And until, unless this team does that, even tho its more talented then Bennets teams, it wont be as good, equal, better, etc, then Bennet's teams.
Still yet to be seen how this all pans out but I would say at least on paper no WSU team has ever had this much talent top to bottom.
Lots of home cooking. Rather surprised that Idaho is still on the schedule. The Washington State Classic -- more home cooking.
Isn’t the Idaho game like the longest series or most played college basketball game in the country?
Save, as usual you put your finger on it. Whether you call it "chemistry", "buy in" or any other term, the result is the same. The pieces are there. If they can play as a team, they can win. Mik makes a good point also, further down the thread; some of the Bennett talent, while good, was made to look better because they were well suited to Bennett's system. We may be in a similar situation with Smith. I like his system. We play hard and smart at both ends of the floor, and a kid who can't/won't play at both ends doesn't get a ton of minutes. Of course, playing hard at both ends means you get tired sooner...hence the depth requirement.
I am excited to see where we go this year. I'm glad we are starting with home cooking. When you put that many new guys into the mix, there is a learning curve, and I'd expect that we will be a different team in mid-January from when we start the season.
Finally, we look to me as though we might be able to sweep the northwest if all goes well. You gotta dream, and that is my goal for this season...because if we do that, the rest should take care of itself. And sweeping the PNW will also pay dividends in PNW recruiting.
Last edited:
I agree with your assessment, cr8zy. I also like your optimism about beating the PNW teams, although UO is going to be paired with UCLA as the cream of the conference, IMO. We do seem to play well against the Ducks, so you never know. If the Cougs stay healthy, they can make a lot of noise. But even if the injury bug bites again, this roster is better equipped to handle it than any other roster I can remember.
I seem to be thinking more about WSU basketball than football right now!
Glad Cougar
You make some very good awesome points.
Smith's system has made it where Smith has succeeded at St Mary's, Columbia, WSU, etc, wherever he has been at.
Other then the 1 awesome recruiting class Smith had at St Mary's, Smith hasnt recruited at a high level until his last 2 years at WSU.
He hasnt had to recruit HIGH rated classes. All he did, like the Bennets, is find kids, recruits that fit his system, that executed his system. Thats why he was successful.
His system is simple. Working hard at both offense and defense. ANALYTICS, movement, passing, open shots, spacing, mismatch's, breaking down the defense, going inside and outside, using space, taking what defense gives, EXECUTION, repetition, etc.
Then he finds kids, recruits, who fit, execute that system.
Part of that, is finding kids, recruits that are LONG, semi tall, athletic, fast, quick, speedy, can shoot, etc, even if they are not rated as high, that fit, amd execute his system.
Now at WSU, Smith has done something he hasnt had the Luxury of:
About Two about Top about 30 recruiting classes.
Since Smith has done well with lesser rated recruiting classes, imagine how well Smith will do with higher rated recruits.
And they still fit, and execute his system.
His last 2 top 30 ish recruiting classes at WSU, are not oy highly rated. But they are not PRIMA Donna's. They are humble, teachable, WORK HARD, SMART, at BOTH ends of the court at both Offense, Defense. They are Long, Tall, athletic, fast, quick, speedy, skilled, can pass, shoot.
They are not only higher rated, but they fit his system, and can execute his system.
All that needs to be done now, is actually doing it, chemistry, jelling, etc. Winning 18 to 23 games, Going to the 2nd Round of NCAA, finishing 3rd.4th,5th,6th, in conference, NIT Final 4, 2, Champs(NIT), winning 1,2,3 Pac 12 Tourney games.
With the coaching, system, Talent, depth, etc, that they have now, They SHOULD be able to do that, as this is a NCAA Tourny team ON PAPER.
Now whether they live up to, PAN OUT, their On Paper Potential, that remains to be seen.
They still have to PLAY THE GAMES.
But I think they will.
As to the sweeping the PNW, I also think they could theoretically do it.
Only thing in their way is OREGON, who is BUILDING a NCAA TOURNEY FINAL 2 Team, with the last 2,3 classes, being Top 3 to 5 to 7 in the entire nation classes, filled with NBA Pros, prospects, One and Dones, combined with Oregon's system, Coach Dana Altman's Awesome Coaching.
I dont think WSU even beats that team even once, let alone a sweep, twice. BUT if they do, they will probably not only sweep the PNW, but also finish as high as 2nd in conference.
I wondering how much they all will sacrifice their own game and scoring to be better as a team? That 2009 team was really good at getting in a rhythm on both ends, finding the hot hand, and making the extra pass. The game is different 10+ years later but I'm hoping Noah takes the next step into becoming a leader along with Flowers and Aiken and players like Efe, Jackson, Bamba, Koulibaly, etc. take the next step to becoming more complete as players.
Wilner had a "way too early" post-season award article and he had Smith as coach of the year, Noah 1st team All-conference, Efe 1st team All-Defense, Gueye 1st team all freshmen, and Flowers 2nd team all new-comer. That's all on paper at this point but pretty fun to think about. I don't think we have ever seen this kind of depth top-to-bottom on paper and people (other than "us") are taking notice.
I agree, we're a basketball school now
I mostly agree. However, we didn't play smart when it comes to protecting the ball. We can blame that on youth, but let's see how much we improve this season. It cost us several games and was very frustrating.
Last edited:
I think this will be the first year under Coach Smith that we will actually see what Smith basketball really is.
We have seen that his teams play hard and compete at both ends of the floor but I don’t think we have seen but glimpses of what he truly wants to do on either side of the ball.
On defense we didn’t have length and athleticism or depth to play 40 mins of Smiths type of basketball imo.
Basically the same thing on offense, Smiths first two years the offense was limited by the lack of scoring options. By the end of last year some of the freshmen had started to show flashes of their potential. If they have continued to improve, plus the addition of proven scorers we should see a better semblance of what Smith wants to do on offense! Smith is smart enough to know it has to start with defense and toughness but he is primarily known as an offensive coach. As good as Smith has been up till now at WSU this is imo the year we really see how fortunate we are to have him!
We have seen that his teams play hard and compete at both ends of the floor but I don’t think we have seen but glimpses of what he truly wants to do on either side of the ball.
On defense we didn’t have length and athleticism or depth to play 40 mins of Smiths type of basketball imo.
Basically the same thing on offense, Smiths first two years the offense was limited by the lack of scoring options. By the end of last year some of the freshmen had started to show flashes of their potential. If they have continued to improve, plus the addition of proven scorers we should see a better semblance of what Smith wants to do on offense! Smith is smart enough to know it has to start with defense and toughness but he is primarily known as an offensive coach. As good as Smith has been up till now at WSU this is imo the year we really see how fortunate we are to have him!
You mean that we are a women's basketball, soccer, and volleyball school now.I agree, we're a basketball school now
Also this is the year that will determine what Smith's Ceiling is.
If he gets 15,16,17 wins CBI Tournament. 8th in conference. 0,1 Pac 12 Tourny Wins, then the ceiling would probably be about 16,17,18 wins, 5th,6th, 7th in conference, CBI/NIT, 0,1,2 Pac 12 tournament wins.
If Smith gets 16,17,18 wins, 5th, 6th in conference, CBI, NIT, 1,2 Pac 12 tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 17,18,19,20 wins, 4th, 5th, 6th in conference, NIT/1st round of NCAA, 1,2,3 Pac 12 wins in Pac 12 Tourny.
If Smith gets 18, 19, 20 wins, NIT, 1st round of NCAA, 4th, 5th, 6th, in conference, 1,2,3, Pac 12 Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be 19,20, 21 wins, 1st Round, 2nd Round NCAA Tourny, 3rd, 4th, 5th, in conference, 1,2,3 Pac 12 Tourny Wins.
If Smith gets 20, 21, 22 wins, 3rd, 4th, 5th in conference, 2nd Round of NCAA Tourny, 1,2,3 Pac 12 tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 21, 22, 23, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in conference, 2nd Round/Sweet 16, NCAA, 2, 3, Pac 12, Tourny wins,
If Smith gets about 22,23,24 wins, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, In conference, sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12 Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be 23, 24,25 wins, 2nd, 3rd, in conference, Sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12 Tourny wins.
If Smith gets about 23,24,25, 2nd, 3rd, in conference, Sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12, Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 24,25,26 wins, 1st, 2nd in conference, Elite 8, 3,4 Pac 12 Tourny wins.
If he gets 15,16,17 wins CBI Tournament. 8th in conference. 0,1 Pac 12 Tourny Wins, then the ceiling would probably be about 16,17,18 wins, 5th,6th, 7th in conference, CBI/NIT, 0,1,2 Pac 12 tournament wins.
If Smith gets 16,17,18 wins, 5th, 6th in conference, CBI, NIT, 1,2 Pac 12 tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 17,18,19,20 wins, 4th, 5th, 6th in conference, NIT/1st round of NCAA, 1,2,3 Pac 12 wins in Pac 12 Tourny.
If Smith gets 18, 19, 20 wins, NIT, 1st round of NCAA, 4th, 5th, 6th, in conference, 1,2,3, Pac 12 Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be 19,20, 21 wins, 1st Round, 2nd Round NCAA Tourny, 3rd, 4th, 5th, in conference, 1,2,3 Pac 12 Tourny Wins.
If Smith gets 20, 21, 22 wins, 3rd, 4th, 5th in conference, 2nd Round of NCAA Tourny, 1,2,3 Pac 12 tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 21, 22, 23, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in conference, 2nd Round/Sweet 16, NCAA, 2, 3, Pac 12, Tourny wins,
If Smith gets about 22,23,24 wins, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, In conference, sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12 Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be 23, 24,25 wins, 2nd, 3rd, in conference, Sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12 Tourny wins.
If Smith gets about 23,24,25, 2nd, 3rd, in conference, Sweet 16, 2,3 Pac 12, Tourny wins, then Smith's Ceiling would be about 24,25,26 wins, 1st, 2nd in conference, Elite 8, 3,4 Pac 12 Tourny wins.
Last edited:
Who knows what his ceiling is? It doesn't really matter to me. I just want to see more good basketball played and the wins will come.
Some thought that Tony Bennett would never win a national title after UVA lost to a sixteen seed, which had never happened. I wonder what people thought his ceiling was after that fiasco?
I'm not suggesting that a coach at WSU can win a national title in men's basketball, but a good coach like Smith can take them further than we might think. Just look at Oregon State this year as an example. Talent, chemistry, maturity, the will to win, and coaching. It all matters.
My only question is why can’t WSU win a National title in basketball? 100% possible
I like it. Why not? Maybe it'll be a weird scenario like the last time we played in the national championship game? During WW3 this time?? Yikes!
If ever there was a WSU team that could have, would have, could, would win a NCAA Tournament Championship, it would have been Tony Bennet's Sweet 16 team, and the Next season, year, after this coming season, year's team, assuming mass injuries, mass defections, etc, dont happen.
Jourdand's right, that this is the most talented, deepest WSU team, maybe ever in the entire history at WSU, but at least since Raveling, Sampson.
The only thing lacking is EXPERIENCE.
Next year after this coming season, the team would only be losing Flower's, Miller(Assuming main starters, cobtributors, main depth doesnt transfer, get injured, etc)
As good as Flowers is, he will probably be easily replaced by either Koulibaly, Tyrell Roberts, etc.
Almost the whole Roster, except for incoming recruits, would be Juniors, Seniors. The team would still be best talented, deepest team in WSU's History, but it would have something this coming season's team doesnt, EXPERIENCE, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, etc.
I think that this coming season WSU/Smith/Players/Team will win about 19 to 23 wins, NIT Final 8/4/2, 2nd Round NCAA Tourny, 3rd,4th,5th,6th in conference, 1,2,3 Pac 12 Tourny wins.
The next season after this coming season, I think that WSU would win about 21 to 27 games, 2nd, 3rd in conference, Sweet 16 to Final 2, with a outside chance to win it all, 1,2,3 wins in to winning the whole Pac 12 Tourny.
Thats not pie in sky. That is realistically, logically doable.
Also there have been plenty of Cinderella's, teams that were nowhere near as good as this team will be next season after this coming season, that only won about 16,17,18,19,20 games, that bubbled, squeeked, squeezed, sneeked, popped, barely made it into NCAA Tournamen, probably shouldnt have been in NCAA Tournament, that got HOT at right time, that won the NCAA Tournament in the past.
Since they have done it, WSU can do it too. And some of those teams thought that they would never ever win a National Title, Just like WSU thinks they will never ever win a National Title.
And this is not something like a 1% chance. I think there is about a 15% to 29% chance that WSU could win a National Title the next season after this coming season.
And that's not pie in the sky. Thats how good this team can be the next season after this coming season, assuming no big injuries, no big defections, transfers, no not having players pan out, no having players not grow, develop, etc, no losing Smith as coach, etc.
N
Next season after this coming season, the team should be either a tier 1.5, or Tier 2, or Tier 2.5 semi blue blood type of team, talent, depth wise.
Teams like North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, etc, are tier 1, number 1 seed type of teams. These type of teams have about a 33% chance to win the National Title in any given year, and within a 4, 5,6 year period of time, will usually, but not always win a NCAA Tournament. This assumes, if they will stay in this tier for the 4,5,6 years.
Tier 1.5 teams, are Arizona(Except for this year)(And maybe not for the next 1,2,3 years)(but they will return back to this tier semi somewhat semi soon), UCLA, Florida, Gonzaga, Baylor, etc, these are teams that will get either #1 or #2 seeds, and have about a 23% chance to win the NCAA Tournament, and will win one about every 6.5 to 13 years, assuming, if they stay in this tier for 6.5 to 13 years.
Tier 2 Teams. These are teams like Oregon, Villanova, Syracuse, USC, etc, and the next season after this coming season, WSU will probably be in this tier, talent, depth, coaching wise, etc. They will get either a #2 or #3 or #4(WSU, not the others(Because WSU would be SNUBBED out of a #2 seed at best, and #3 seed at average), and so because of getting snubbed, would only get a 4th seed), seed in the NCAA Tournament and will win a NCAA Tournament once every about 7 to 15 years(Assuming, if they were to stay in this tier for the 7 to 15 years)Teams in this tier would have about a 13% to 15% to 17% to win a NCAA Tourney in any given year.
WSU would get a #4 seed, in NCAA Tourny, 21 to 27 wins, 2nd, 3rd in conference, 2,3 wins in Pac 12 tourny, or winning Pac 12 tourny, Tier 1.5 at best, Tier 2, at average, Tier 2.5 at worst. 13% to Win NCAA Tourny, at worst, 15% to win NCAA at average. 17% to win NCAA at best. This is not this coming season. This is the next season AFTER this coming season.
This is not Pie in sky. And I am not Trolling.
Ok so my educated estimate was slightly off. Its not a range of 15% to 29%. Its a range of about 13% to 15% to 17% at best.
Still that's a outside shot, chance at winning the NCAA Tournament
No Not Trolling.
Next season after this coming season, the team should be either a tier 1.5, or Tier 2, or Tier 2.5 semi blue blood type of team, talent, depth wise.
Teams like North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, etc, are tier 1, number 1 seed type of teams. These type of teams have about a 33% chance to win the National Title in any given year, and within a 4, 5,6 year period of time, will usually, but not always win a NCAA Tournament. This assumes, if they will stay in this tier for the 4,5,6 years.
Tier 1.5 teams, are Arizona(Except for this year)(And maybe not for the next 1,2,3 years)(but they will return back to this tier semi somewhat semi soon), UCLA, Florida, Gonzaga, Baylor, etc, these are teams that will get either #1 or #2 seeds, and have about a 23% chance to win the NCAA Tournament, and will win one about every 6.5 to 13 years, assuming, if they stay in this tier for 6.5 to 13 years.
Tier 2 Teams. These are teams like Oregon, Villanova, Syracuse, USC, etc, and the next season after this coming season, WSU will probably be in this tier, talent, depth, coaching wise, etc. They will get either a #2 or #3 or #4(WSU, not the others(Because WSU would be SNUBBED out of a #2 seed at best, and #3 seed at average), and so because of getting snubbed, would only get a 4th seed), seed in the NCAA Tournament and will win a NCAA Tournament once every about 7 to 15 years(Assuming, if they were to stay in this tier for the 7 to 15 years)Teams in this tier would have about a 13% to 15% to 17% to win a NCAA Tourney in any given year.
WSU would get a #4 seed, in NCAA Tourny, 21 to 27 wins, 2nd, 3rd in conference, 2,3 wins in Pac 12 tourny, or winning Pac 12 tourny, Tier 1.5 at best, Tier 2, at average, Tier 2.5 at worst. 13% to Win NCAA Tourny, at worst, 15% to win NCAA at average. 17% to win NCAA at best. This is not this coming season. This is the next season AFTER this coming season.
This is not Pie in sky. And I am not Trolling.
Ok so my educated estimate was slightly off. Its not a range of 15% to 29%. Its a range of about 13% to 15% to 17% at best.
Still that's a outside shot, chance at winning the NCAA Tournament
You walk before you can jog (usually). You always have to jog before you run. Most folks (and most basketball programs) can run, given the right leadership and adequate resources. But even when we run, we may never be able to run quite as fast as the fastest athletes (and programs). Still, we were bed-ridden until Smith arrived, and last season we had progressed to the point that we were able to do a fast walk consistently, and occasionally ran (we had some good wins last year). This year I expect us to run all season, and when the chemistry gels, we may get an indication of just how fast we can run.
Smith may be as good as the Bennetts. Time will tell; but at this point he is on the right trajectory...maybe even a slightly better trajectory than the Bennetts managed. We have an abundance of talent for the first time in a long time, and this season we will see how good Smith is at managing egos; because not everyone will get the minutes that they want. Programs evolve, both when going down and when going up. We are going up, and given the new personnel situation we will probably evolve a lot. Coach Smith will have ample opportunity to show how good a leader he is.
It is good to be running full time. That bed-ridden, shambling walk/run thing that was the state of the program under Ernie Kent is in the past. The question is just how good the future can be. If we win less than half our league games this year I will be disappointed, because I think the pieces and system are in place to do that. Our major issue, as I see it, is going to be how quickly all the new guys can be brought into the fold and made productive. I am happy that we have a lot of home cooking and cupcakes to open the season, because I think we'll need it, and I don't expect to go into January without a couple of losses.
Smith may be as good as the Bennetts. Time will tell; but at this point he is on the right trajectory...maybe even a slightly better trajectory than the Bennetts managed. We have an abundance of talent for the first time in a long time, and this season we will see how good Smith is at managing egos; because not everyone will get the minutes that they want. Programs evolve, both when going down and when going up. We are going up, and given the new personnel situation we will probably evolve a lot. Coach Smith will have ample opportunity to show how good a leader he is.
It is good to be running full time. That bed-ridden, shambling walk/run thing that was the state of the program under Ernie Kent is in the past. The question is just how good the future can be. If we win less than half our league games this year I will be disappointed, because I think the pieces and system are in place to do that. Our major issue, as I see it, is going to be how quickly all the new guys can be brought into the fold and made productive. I am happy that we have a lot of home cooking and cupcakes to open the season, because I think we'll need it, and I don't expect to go into January without a couple of losses.
You mean to say that next season after this coming season's WSU Team, which would probably be one of the best teams, if not maybe the BEST WSU team, talent, depth, etc, wise in the entire 100 year history at WSU, would only win the NCAA Tournament once every about 25 to 50 to 75 years?(And thats assuming WSU would continue to be best WSU Team ever, to be able to keep on getting 21 to 27 wins, 2nd, 3rd in conference, 3 wins, an or winning Pac 12 Tourny, a #3, or #4, or #5 seed in NCAA Tourny, and keep on trying, failing for 25 to 50 to 75 years).
Thats what a 2%, 3% chance would equate to, mean.
And your saying that next season AFTER this coming season, WSU team would only have a 2%,3% chance to win the NCAA Tournament, when there have been way the hell worse teams then WSU's team, that have only won 15,16 games, miraculously got into the NCAA Tourny, when they shouldnt have, and miraculously won the NCAA Tourny.
Since they have won the NCAA Tournament, and since they were a Hell Lot worse then the next season, AFTER this coming season's WSU's Team, then since they did it,and since they had less then a 1/10 of 1% chance, then WSU's Team will probably be at least 10% to 13% at best, at worst, and 2%,3%,4% at ultimate extreme worst.
I'm Just not buying what your saying.
If the next season AFTER this coming season's WSU's Team were to play in 100 NCAA Tournaments(I know, not possible, but if it was done), WSU would win at least 7 to 11 out of the 100 NCAA Tournaments played at ultimate extreme worst, in a best case scenario.
Thats how good the next season after this coming season, would be, since that WSU team probably will have the BEST TALENT, DEPTH, and maybe even coaching in WSU's entire 100+ year history.
Thats how good that team will be.
Its not pie in the sky
Some good points.
As Jourdand has said, this is the best talent, depth, ON PAPER that WSU has had in its 100+ year history.
That kind of Talent, can definitely run, and run VERY FAST, but is still not as good, doesnt run as fast as Oregon, UCLA, Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Baylor, Gonzaga, Florida, Villanova, Syracuse, Arizona, USC, etc.
Yes, WSU has Top 25 Talent, and that talent, athletes can run as fast, faster then everybody except the 13 to 23 Colleges ahead of them.
And thats THIS season. Then you add Smith's coaching to that.
The only thing that will hold the team back is lack of experience, growth, development, youth, rawness, temporary lack of chemistry, jelling, etc, which would translate into turnovers, shot selection, freethrow shooting, shooting self in foot, snatching defeat from jaws of victory, etc.
But even with that, the talent is good enough, and the coaching good enough that WSU should only lose 1,2,3 games to teams like Gonzaga type teams in the Non Conference. The Non Con, will be easy, so WSU should go 10-3, 10-2, 9-3, 11-2, 11-1, 12-1, 9-4, 10-4, 13-1, etc, depending on how many Non Con games are played(If they play, do well in Non Con Tourny's)
I think they will go about 9-9, 10-8, 11-7, 12-6, 13-5, in conference, for a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in conference, and 19 to 23 regular season wins, and 1,2,3 wins in Pac 12 Tourny, and either a NIT Final 8/4/2/Champs,or a 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th seed in NCAA Tourny, and making it to 2nd Round of NCAA Tourny.
I think thats a reasonable, logical, rational, extrapolation, projection, prediction, of what the team will do this year.
And even the experts, sports media, team rankers, pundits, coaches, etc, pretty much agree with that.
And if WSU does that(Which is likely), then next season AFTER this coming season will probably go either unbeaten in non con, or only lose 1 game to a Gonzaga type.
And in conference they would be about 11-7, 12-6, 13-5, 14-4, in conference for either a tied for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in conference, 3 Pac 12 Tourney wins, or winning Pac 12 Tourney, 21 to 26,(27 at extreme most), wins in regular season, A 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th seed in NCAA Tourney, a Sweet 16(At worst) to Elite 8(at average), to Final 4(At BEST), of NCAA TTourney, with about a 10% chance to win the NCAA Tournament.
I think that would also be a logical, reasonable, rational, extrapolation, projection, prediction, of what NEXT SEASON AFTER AFTER this coming season could, would, should do, as far as ON PAPER POTENTIAL.
Thats the kind of TRAJECTORY WSU is on.
I dont see how anyone could object to a 18,19,18.5 win to 23 win projection, since Eastman's, Bone's best teams, both of which were FIRED, won at least about 18,19 wins, and this year's talent, depth, coaching, etc, is BETTER then those teams.
If this WSU team cant do about these predictions, then it will never ever happen at WSU, unless WSU catches Lightning in a bottle like the Bennets did at WSU.
I think this team is better then lighning in a bottle, and is at least lightning in a bottle.
But thats just the ON PAPER Potential. They still have to play the games, and have to have chemistry, limit turnovers, have better freethrow shooting, and not shoot themselves in foot, and not snatch defeat from the Jaws of Victory, and not have too many KEY, sick, injured, etc.
First off.. I am the one that said it was not pie in the sky and that we could win it all… You ask a lot of questions but if your main question is whether I think we could win the NCAA tourney 1 time in 25-50-75 years… I think most on this board would be ecstatic if that occurred.. If there was abet in Vegas if over a 50 year period WSU would win an NCAA tourney with the year following next years team and you could have that team every year 99% of the people would bet against it.. That’s not to say it can’t/won’t happen but you are being silly to say it is even a 10% chance.. I’m guessing you know how percentages work, but if they played the season 100 times WSU would now win it all 10 times. I’m sorry but that is pie in the sky. Nevertheless 25%..🙄
To be clear in the last 50 years of the NCAA tournament there have been 10 non blue blood champions. They were Virginia, NC State, Arkansas, Marquette, Villanova, UNLV, Georgetown, Marquette, Maryland, and UCONN…
When I started this and made the statement that WSU could win an NCAA title.. I was merely saying anything is possible.. I will root like hell for them, buy it would be silly to suggest they would ever have a 25% chance before the season to win it all… I bet the odds are lower in Vegas every year just for them to make the tourney.. Let’s be realistic.🤭
A whole lot of people thought we couldn't get back to the Rose Bowl. We actually were an Apple Cup win away in '81 but lost 23-10. It took a "few" more years but of course we would get there in '98 and then again in '03. It would be no small feat and a lot would have to fall our way but never say never.
I believe this is WSU’s most talented team on paper ever. But that is like saying the MIC Ribb sandwich is Macdonald’s best bbq ever. It doesn’t mean you can take it to Memphis and win a national cook-off.
It does however mean we will be privy to fun competitive basketball this year and hopefully the near future.
It does however mean we will be privy to fun competitive basketball this year and hopefully the near future.
Rose abowl and National title are 2 different things and it is far more difficult in basketball.
And again I am the one who initially said it was possible.. But, 25 to 50% even the change to 13to 15% possibility is absurd.. I was at the 98 game.. Damn Guesser and that injured shoulder. I thought that was our best year.. We should have one at the horseshoe as well.. If my memory serves me correctly we were number 3 in the country at one point?!
I wasn't equating the Rose Bowl to a National Championship but the Rose Bowl is an example of something many didn't believe was possible right up until it took place and then we went again a few years later.
WSU was No. 3 going into the Apple Cup, IIRC. And I think No. 2 lost that weekend as well. Or had WSU won, they'd had a chance.
