ADVERTISEMENT

Theo: Ali departs program

Modern basketball is so strange. Ali is in, out, back in, and now gone for good. I saw we were in the running for a transfer a while back but didn't pay too close of attention because we were full. I think the kid was from Stetson.
If it was Abayomi Iyiola he went Arkansas today.

I would assume Smith won't sit on the ride. There are still players out there looking for a home but it is getting late. We could definitely use another big.
 
Last edited:

With PG Jervae Robinson, and Noah Williams, who can play 1,2,3, playing with Elleby at JAMAL CRAWFORD PRO AM, and IMPRESSING, and causing the PRO AM people to think that WSU have a good season, the writing was pretty much on wall, that Ali's role, might probably have been more limited, and that's why he transfered.
 
If it was Abayomi Iyiola he went Arkansas today.

I would assume Smith won't sit on the ride. There are still players out there looking for a home but it is getting late. We could definitely use another big.

If there is a QUALITY BIG out there, that WSU can, could get, Smith wont sit on the scholly ride.

But if there isn't, I think Smith banks the scholly for next year.

Smith is in on, has a LOT of Offers out to QUALITY recruits, INCLUDING BIGS.

And Smith might probably get one, couple, few of them.

But he Smith wouldnt be able to do that IF say a really good player, say a 4,5 star, commits to WSU LATE, and lets say that because of that, and because Smith wouldnt want to gamble, then miss on getting that 5 star, and get stuck, because didnt use scholly offers on others earlier, then because of that Smith offers a 3 star, 3 star commits, now no scholly for the 4,5 star that commit to WSU LATE.

This is why I would rather Smith bank the scholly, instead of using the Scholly on a NON Quality BIG, If there either isnt a Quality Big, or if cant get one of the quality Bigs.

In that situation, I would rather Smith Bank the scholly, so that next year Smith could offer, commit, some 3,4 stars, early, and then SAVE a scholly for later, so that would have a scholly available for that LATE 4,5 STAR WSU commit
 
I have had a feeling that Robinson would leap frog Ali this season. Maybe Ali did too.
 
Seems like Smith will give the scholly to the best walk on with the condition it's a one year thing.
 
Personally never warmed up to Ali but wish him the best. At this point I imagine the number of possible players is pretty limited so I would imagine the scholarship will either be banked or handed out to a walk on.

PS: The Crawsover isn’t much more than a light hearted shoot around till the finals it’s not real basketball till then when it gets pretty intense.
 
Last edited:
I would've been okay had Ali stuck around but he was probably more expendable than most of the others on the roster. His lack of size was a real liability on defense, which probably would've limited his playing time for Smith. Maybe the scholarship goes to the walk-on big guy from Clarkston?

Glad Cougar
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikalalas
At 5-11, you have to be a burner to be productive at this level
I never really saw that from Ali. I think lack of speed hurt him on D as much as size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikalalas
What happened to Kemp?

I don't know, but I am guessing that Kemp has probably already committed to Montana, because WSU didnt use scholly to offer Kemp, because Ali came back and used the scholly that may have been used for Kemp.

If Kemp is still available, it would be because either Kemp refused to sign with Montana, etc, or maybe Montana thought that Kemp wasnt good.

And if Kemp available, because of above, and other things, WSU in this position:

WSU could offer, sign Kemp, But:

1. WSU is STACKED at the 3/ stretch 4 spot, and with Kemp being a semi raw, freakiskly athletic 6 ft, 6.5 in, about 187 to 200 pounds, that would play at 3/4, Kemp might rot a little on bench, no matter how good he might be, because of everyone in front, before he might eventually start, if he doesnt transfer.

2. WSU needs a 4,5 BIG, not another 2/3/4 hybrid wing.

So as much as I would like, and as much as Smith, WSU would probably like, and probably would any other year, to sign Kemp, if he is available, I dont think, WSU would sign Kemp, if he is available for the above reasons.
 
I have had a feeling that Robinson would leap frog Ali this season. Maybe Ali did too.

I agree with that. It was my impression that Ali was the more assertive of the two and Robinson wasn't all that sure of himself in the beginning. By then end of the season Robinson had gained confidence and had passed Ali in effectiveness.
 
I agree with that. It was my impression that Ali was the more assertive of the two and Robinson wasn't all that sure of himself in the beginning. By then end of the season Robinson had gained confidence and had passed Ali in effectiveness.
I felt like Robinson clearly passed Ali with his play during the season and then seemed to regress when he earned more minutes. Robinson was the more stable PG though and Smith's comments in the Spokesman article seemed to give Robinson the advantage moving into next season.

Smith has said he likes 2 PGs on the floor but I'm not sure with the wing depth how much that takes place next season. I wouldn't take Cannon let alone Elleby out of the lineup to play 2 of Robinson, Bonton, or Williams. Kunc may have progressed as well. Ali may have simply seen the writing on the wall.
 
I felt like Robinson clearly passed Ali with his play during the season and then seemed to regress when he earned more minutes. Robinson was the more stable PG though and Smith's comments in the Spokesman article seemed to give Robinson the advantage moving into next season.

Smith has said he likes 2 PGs on the floor but I'm not sure with the wing depth how much that takes place next season. I wouldn't take Cannon let alone Elleby out of the lineup to play 2 of Robinson, Bonton, or Williams. Kunc may have progressed as well. Ali may have simply seen the writing on the wall.

I could see playing Robinson at the 1, with either Noah, An Or Bonton, both of which are combo PG/SG, with Noah a combo PG/SG/Wing/1,2,3, in order to give Cannon a temporary break, rest, as part of a substitution rotation.

I cant, couldnt see going with Robinson at the 1, Ali as a co 1, pg, to sub for Cannon.

And I dont think Smith, Ali, saw that as a possibility, which is why Ali is transfering.
 
Now they are down to one mediocre Pg. The recruits are nowhere near in necessary skill sets or experience to be reliable D! PG s
 
Yes he performed well at one level.Also he does have basic PG skills. i saw him as a steady reserve type of player. Every team needs role type of players.His ceiling is limited but he may have to be the one due to attrition and basically poor recruiting by Dufus and his gang.
 
Yes he performed well at one level.Also he does have basic PG skills. i saw him as a steady reserve type of player. Every team needs role type of players.His ceiling is limited but he may have to be the one due to attrition and basically poor recruiting by Dufus and his gang.
That’s pure stupid! He was recruited by Kent to be the point guard. Now that Smith might have to use him, it’s somehow his poor recruiting that’s to blame? Attrition? Who left that was going to be ahead of Robinson at the point? The poor recruiting is why your guy was shown the door!

That’s illogical, unreasonable and possibly or probably not right. Robinson could/ most likely will average between 5 points and 29 points a game and could/ should potentially will be a PAC 12 All Star because he scored between 15 and 43 points in junior high church league against some of the best 50 year old players / ex guys who could have or almost did play in the NBA or CBA. That’s why Smiths first year will be a success and WSU will win 8 to 20 games and could with the improved coaching win 12 to 25 games. Good enough for NIT or borderline NCAA first round loss. Not bad/ will do until we recruit sign or almost sign a class full of 5 star / 4 stars underrated should be 5 star players who in a five minute highlight clip never missed one shot or turned the ball over one time who because of this should play in the NBA, could but hopefully won’t waste their NBA talent!! Because of all these made up facts and numbers Robinson will be the point guard for Smith
 
  • Like
Reactions: YakiCoug
That’s pure stupid! He was recruited by Kent to be the point guard. Now that Smith might have to use him, it’s somehow his poor recruiting that’s to blame?

That’s illogical, unreasonable and possibly or probably not right. Robinson could/ most likely will average between 5 points and 29 points a game and could/ should potentially will be a PAC 12 All Star because he scored between 15 and 43 points in junior high church league against some of the best 50 year old players / ex guys who could have or almost did play in the NBA or CBA. That’s why Smiths first year will be a success and WSU will win 8 to 20 games and could with the improved coaching win 12 to 25 games. Good enough for NIT or borderline NCAA first round loss. Not bad/ will do until we recruit sign or almost sign a class full of 5 star / 4 stars underrated should be 5 star players who in a five minute highlight clip never missed one shot or turned the ball over one time who because of this should play in the NBA, could but hopefully won’t waste their NBA talent!! Because of all these made up facts and numbers Robinson will be the point guard for Smith
Yowzers Jourdand! Please tell me you are being facetious and not that Mikalas has figured out a way to channel your personna on-line. I have him on ignore and would hope not to have to do the same to you.
 
I heard it somewhere from credible people in the know that everything I make up is legitimate unless I misremembered it! LOL...
 
That’s pure stupid! He was recruited by Kent to be the point guard. Now that Smith might have to use him, it’s somehow his poor recruiting that’s to blame? Attrition? Who left that was going to be ahead of Robinson at the point? The poor recruiting is why your guy was shown the door!

That’s illogical, unreasonable and possibly or probably not right. Robinson could/ most likely will average between 5 points and 29 points a game and could/ should potentially will be a PAC 12 All Star because he scored between 15 and 43 points in junior high church league against some of the best 50 year old players / ex guys who could have or almost did play in the NBA or CBA. That’s why Smiths first year will be a success and WSU will win 8 to 20 games and could with the improved coaching win 12 to 25 games. Good enough for NIT or borderline NCAA first round loss. Not bad/ will do until we recruit sign or almost sign a class full of 5 star / 4 stars underrated should be 5 star players who in a five minute highlight clip never missed one shot or turned the ball over one time who because of this should play in the NBA, could but hopefully won’t waste their NBA talent!! Because of all these made up facts and numbers Robinson will be the point guard for Smith


Brilliant reply.............. or at least somewhere between obscure and resplendent!
 
Hmm either Mikalas and Jourdan are the same person. Or they are both sides of the same coin. :)
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT