So guys,

[Loyal Coug]

I admire your attempts to keep it positive on this board, but omg. How did it get this bad? This makes the Paul graham years look like the Bennett years.

How big is Kents buyout anyway? Obviously he has to go. Has he been here 4 years now? This is moos' big whiff that is for sure.

 

[avabob1]

Its bad but not even close to Graham years. Frustrating thing here is that too many guys arent showing energy and playing hard night in and night out. We should be 6-2 right now. I do put that on coaching. It doesnt look to me like guys have a clear idea of how much energy it takes at the D-1 level.

 

[ElComanche]

EK is here for this year and next year for sure.One better hope that he can recruit a couple of good HS players with his two remaining scholarships.This years team has to give 110 % if they want to be competitive in their games.

 

[SaveFerris]

This isn't Graham level but obviously bad.

 

[bogusto]

I admire your attempts to keep it positive on this board, but omg. How did it get this bad? This makes the Paul graham years look like the Bennett years.

How big is Kents buyout anyway? Obviously he has to go. Has he been here 4 years now? This is moos' big whiff that is for sure.

I agree Loyal. The next coaching search needs some expert input. Maybe a consortium of Raveling, D. Bennett and some member of the Harshman clan.

 

[avabob1]

Actually this is his third and most of us felt his first year was moderately successful. That is why I said we will find out which of the first two years was an aberration. So far it does not look good

 

[Coug95man2]

I've been to 4 games this year, so far. During pre-game warmups, the players are out there smiling and having fun. As soon as they come out for intro's, it's like a shade has come over their face. Don't know what the deal is. Their version of "getting down to serious business" or what but it sure comes across as "uninspired".

I'd also like to say, as far as recruiting goes, I'm pretty disappointed. I've sat and counted the shots made in pre-game shoot-around. And it isn't pretty. Making basic shots, without pressure, in a shoot-around, should not be something missed much. By no means are they all bricks but man, this team is very, very streaky.

 

[bogusto]

I've been to 4 games this year, so far. During pre-game warmups, the players are out there smiling and having fun. As soon as they come out for intro's, it's like a shade has come over their face. Don't know what the deal is. Their version of "getting down to serious business" or what but it sure comes across as "uninspired".

I'd also like to say, as far as recruiting goes, I'm pretty disappointed. I've sat and counted the shots made in pre-game shoot-around. And it isn't pretty. Making basic shots, without pressure, in a shoot-around, should not be something missed much. By no means are they all bricks but man, this team is very, very streaky.

This is Iregbou's fourth year and his game, with all its flaws, is not much different than his first season. He is exhibit #1A for the lack of coaching/development by this staff.

 

[Coug95man2]

This is Iregbou's fourth year and his game, with all its flaws, is not much different than his first season. He is exhibit #1A for the lack of coaching/development by this staff.

Agreed. He has some jump, energy and can move down the floor with amazing speed. But he's yet to be able to drop a bucket on a consistent basis. I'd trade him for a sloth that could hit a shot consistently.

This is the very issue with the current situation with recruiting, as well. Just gotta make shots. That is foundational. Everything else is extra and "up's" the stock of the recruit. But GOTTA make the shots. Can't do it under pressure, you have a hand in your face? I get it. Pass, pass, pass!!!!! GET OPEN... But at this point, if you can't make shots is that something that can be taught?! Shouldn't they have that by this point!?

But for some reason, we have recruited players that can't make shots, consistently. I'd rather have 5'5" dudes than these players that have the jumps, have the speed, have the moves but can't make a shot when they do get open! I don't get how this has happened... Evaluation?

 

[Loyal Coug]

Actually this is his third and most of us felt his first year was moderately successful. That is why I said we will find out which of the first two years was an aberration. So far it does not look good

Seems like more than 3. I'm not a BB expert like some of you, but am aware that BB does not require a 5 year rebuilding period, especially when you have an all league center already in place.

In my humble opinion, Kent had lost whatever "cache" he had when he came here. I don't think he was ever considered as an X and O guy, and quality recruits have not flocked to WSU.

So yeah I guess this year and next are a given - but looks like that will be it and by then we probably will be at Graham-level as a program.

Should have kept Bennett's assistant and made him head coach when Tony left. Ben.....?

 

[avabob1]

Shooting in my mind is probably the one thing you cant teach. I watched Marcus Capers shoot hundreds of jumpers under the tutelage of Ben Johnson. Kid was a hard worker but never developed a stroke. Of the current players Flynn Daniels King and Franks have good mechanics. So does Hawk of course. Havent seen enough of
Langston. Callison mediocre . Chidum looks to have a nice stroke. Not so much with Ergas.

 

[SaveFerris]

Shooting in my mind is probably the one thing you cant teach. I watched Marcus Capers shoot hundreds of jumpers under the tutelage of Ben Johnson. Kid was a hard worker but never developed a stroke. Of the current players Flynn Daniels King and Franks have good mechanics. So does Hawk of course. Havent seen enough of
Langston. Callison mediocre . Chidum looks to have a nice stroke. Not so much with Ergas.

I think you can teach any skill including shooting. Having the proper mechanics is obviously important but you also need the desire and work-ethic it takes to become really good at anything.

Best example I can think of is Larry Bird. He not only had uncommon talent but his desire and work-ethic was even more rare. Kyle Weaver isn't in that category but is a good example of a player who became a functional shooter over his career. He didn't come in with horrible mechanics but definitely improved them and obviously put up a lot of shots to get to where he was as a junior and senior.

You can teach shooting but not the desire and work-ethic necessary to become a good shooter let alone great. There is no such a thing as a 'natural shooter' or at least what it suggest. You don't just fall out of bed and become Bird, Thompson, Curry, or even Kyle Weaver.

 

[avabob1]

Still disagree. You can teach mechanics but hand /eye and touch are not learned. The result of great coaching on some kids can be seen in Pollard. Nice rotation good trajectory, but no touch.

Also kids work on their shooting from the time they pick up a ball. About the only thing left to improve on once they get to college are things like shot selection and developing their legs.

I know this is a matter of degree. Some poor shooters can improve incrementally but you arent turning a Capers into a Klay no matter how great the desire and work ethic. The last thing you want is a guy who hits just enough to keep putting them up. Remember DJ Shelton?

 

[SaveFerris]

Still disagree. You can teach mechanics but hand /eye and touch are not learned. The result of great coaching on some kids can be seen in Pollard. Nice rotation good trajectory, but no touch.

Also kids work on their shooting from the time they pick up a ball. About the only thing left to improve on once they get to college are things like shot selection and developing their legs.

I know this is a matter of degree. Some poor shooters can improve incrementally but you arent turning a Capers into a Klay no matter how great the desire and work ethic. The last thing you want is a guy who hits just enough to keep putting them up. Remember DJ Shelton?

Hand/eye coordination and touch is part of the 'talent' equation. I agree you can't teach 'talent'. Problem is if you are not taught or somehow learn proper shooting mechanics you are probably practicing to become a bad shooter.

I don't believe coaching could turn a Capers into Kyle Weaver let alone Klay Thompson. Shooting is still a skill though and part of any skill is a learning component. Becoming a good shooter is talent, mechanics, and repetition. I don't think you can skip any of the 3 (and other intangibles) and become a consistent shooter at the college level.

 

[avabob1]

Everyone can improve some but atbsomw point it is like teaching reflexes

 

[ElComanche]

I think that shooting can be taught. Not everyone s a Klay Thompson but he is an exception not the rule