Elleby, Cannon, Pollard, Kunc, Wade, Ali, and Robinson all working with Smith. Skaggs is back east somewhere from his twitter. I don't see Chance Moore pictured.
Smith/Players get to work
- Thread starter SaveFerris
- Start date
Well that takes care of my concern. I was concerned about the theoretical possibility that between 7,8,9 ish to 13 to 17, semi full teamish might leave.
Reason why I was concerned about that possibility, was that about 6,7,8,9 had already stated they were either transfering, or thinking about transfering, in the transfer portal, decommiting, opening their recruitment back up, etc.
Based on that, it wasnt to much of a stretch that somewhere between most to almost the whole team, recruits, etc, could leave, transfer, decommit, etc.
And if that were to happen, that would have been very bad.
It would have been bad because 8 to 16 players, commits, etc, would have been extremely hard to replace with QUALITY Replacements.
Losing 3 to 6 is ok, because could still find 3 to 6 QUALITY replacements, and the new coach would get his guys.
That's why I wanted 1 of WSU's assistant's TEMPORARILY retained JUST BARELY LONG ENOUGH, say about 3 months to 1 year, to get SOME of WSU's players, commits, recruits, etc, to stay, and then replace that temporary holdover assistant with whoever the new coach wants.
But now it seems like with the quick Fire, then hire, and with the new coach's credentials, and with former players, Klay, Tony Bennet, Steve Kerr, almost everybody vouching for the new coach, and with Chun selling, marketing this well, and with the players, recruits, commits paying attention, noticing, and with the new coach getting his staff together quick, seemingly reaching out, meeting with the players, recruits, commits, working the team out, etc, and with the players, etc, seemingly responding well to all that, and being in the above picture, etc, because of all of that, etc, it seems like a lot of players, recruits, commits, etc, will stay, and that only about 4,5,6 might probably leave, which would be ok, because coach can replace that few, some with QUALITY replacements, his guys.
Because of the above. Altho the new coach could, can retain a assistant if he wants, I dont think its necessary anymore.
The only reason to retain a assistant, would be to help keep players. Since thats a lot less of a concern now, the premise for retaining a assistant is now probably gone, and because of that it is no longer needful to retain a assistant, unless the new coach wants to.
Reason why I was concerned about that possibility, was that about 6,7,8,9 had already stated they were either transfering, or thinking about transfering, in the transfer portal, decommiting, opening their recruitment back up, etc.
Based on that, it wasnt to much of a stretch that somewhere between most to almost the whole team, recruits, etc, could leave, transfer, decommit, etc.
And if that were to happen, that would have been very bad.
It would have been bad because 8 to 16 players, commits, etc, would have been extremely hard to replace with QUALITY Replacements.
Losing 3 to 6 is ok, because could still find 3 to 6 QUALITY replacements, and the new coach would get his guys.
That's why I wanted 1 of WSU's assistant's TEMPORARILY retained JUST BARELY LONG ENOUGH, say about 3 months to 1 year, to get SOME of WSU's players, commits, recruits, etc, to stay, and then replace that temporary holdover assistant with whoever the new coach wants.
But now it seems like with the quick Fire, then hire, and with the new coach's credentials, and with former players, Klay, Tony Bennet, Steve Kerr, almost everybody vouching for the new coach, and with Chun selling, marketing this well, and with the players, recruits, commits paying attention, noticing, and with the new coach getting his staff together quick, seemingly reaching out, meeting with the players, recruits, commits, working the team out, etc, and with the players, etc, seemingly responding well to all that, and being in the above picture, etc, because of all of that, etc, it seems like a lot of players, recruits, commits, etc, will stay, and that only about 4,5,6 might probably leave, which would be ok, because coach can replace that few, some with QUALITY replacements, his guys.
Because of the above. Altho the new coach could, can retain a assistant if he wants, I dont think its necessary anymore.
The only reason to retain a assistant, would be to help keep players. Since thats a lot less of a concern now, the premise for retaining a assistant is now probably gone, and because of that it is no longer needful to retain a assistant, unless the new coach wants to.
Other than Skagg everyone seemed open to coming back. Pollard put his name in the transfer portal but said he wanted to remain at WSU. Elleby declared for the draft but assuming he doesn't enter go then why sit out a transfer year? Hard to tell on John or Henson.
Still early but a positive sign the players are open to staying. Let Smith and staff figure it out.
Still early but a positive sign the players are open to staying. Let Smith and staff figure it out.
With NCAA allowing no more than 13 scholarship players in a given year, I'm not sure how you calculate 13-17 players possibly leaving. I"m not sure EK had a roster of more than 12 this year anyway. Not to worry, plenty of guys are returning and I'm willing to wager they all are looking forward to improving their game under a new regime.
Glad Cougar
Not sure what the eventual attrition will be, but we might have been at a higher risk had Ernie stayed.
Ernie had to go, even if whole team, recruits, commits, etc, were to have left, because even if that happened, that would still be better then Kent coaching everybody staying.
Kent turned WSU B Ball program into a total mess, disaster, dumpster fire.
Kent turned WSU B Ball program into a total mess, disaster, dumpster fire.
Or at least we hope. The way the program was, is now when Kent was fired, Smith taking over, is comparable to how the program was, when Dick took over.
I said, thought back then that if Dick, Tony couldnt turn the program around, nothing could, would.
And we can pretty much say the same thing now, that if Smith can't turn this program around, then not sure even coach K could turn it around.
So it's pretty much Smith turning the program around or bust.
I think Smith will turn program around. Or at least I hope so.
Because if Smith, based on what I have learned about Smith, can't turn the program around, I am not sure anyone can, could.
And so if Smith doesnt turn around the B ball program in about 2,3,4 years, I am probably pretty much done, will probably give up on coug B Ball program.
But I dont think that will happen. And I think Smith will probably be successful at WSU and turn around the program.
Take this quote for what it's worth....but it's the first one I've read from one of the current players:
Forward Marvin Cannon said Smith has already made an impact. "He's a great coach, very knowledgeable about the game," Cannon said. "He's got a lot of energy."
Update- more player comments, courtesy of Theo Lawson at Spokesman Review:
“First few practices, I’m not going to lie to you, were hard,” Cannon said. “You can tell he’s really into defense, so he’s just been pushing us with defense, rebounds and toughness.”
And, almost in lockstep with his teammate, point guard Jervae Robinson shared a similar account.
“Hard work. Tough. Defense. Just getting after it, really,” Robinson said. “He’s been pushing us and that’s helped us push each other, and we’re just getting better.”
Glad Cougar
Forward Marvin Cannon said Smith has already made an impact. "He's a great coach, very knowledgeable about the game," Cannon said. "He's got a lot of energy."
Update- more player comments, courtesy of Theo Lawson at Spokesman Review:
“First few practices, I’m not going to lie to you, were hard,” Cannon said. “You can tell he’s really into defense, so he’s just been pushing us with defense, rebounds and toughness.”
And, almost in lockstep with his teammate, point guard Jervae Robinson shared a similar account.
“Hard work. Tough. Defense. Just getting after it, really,” Robinson said. “He’s been pushing us and that’s helped us push each other, and we’re just getting better.”
Glad Cougar
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I hope Cannon sticks around. Maybe not an All-Pac 12-type player but he could really flourish with Smith.
WTH? He just flew in on Friday. "First few practices"? They having 2 a days, or what? And what are the off-season practice rules for BB? Must be a lot looser than for FB.......
On brandy (I think a mod) posted he thought you could practice until the Championship game. Makes sense although I have no idea if it's true. I think it's great they are getting a taste and it sounds like it's going well.
If he puts the work in on his jumper and plays under control he'll be a good one. Kid can jump out of the gym.
Agree. He also needs to learn how to use his athleticism. He seems to think the game and generally makes good decisions. I have thought of him as a "Bennett-type" recruit and think he will fit well with Smith if he embrace things. Seems like he is so far.
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