Sacramento St. Hornets @ Washington St. Cougars GameThread, Nov 21, 2008 6:00 PM PST

HOOPS GAME THREAD: Sacramento State at WSU

by Nuss on Nov 21, 2008 5:00 PM PST in Cougar Basketball Comment 98 comments

Sacramento St. Hornets @ Washington St. Cougars

PROBABLE STARTERS

	WSU (used redsirt)*	Vitals		Sac State(used redsirt)*	Vitals
G	Taylor Rochestie (Sr.*)	6-1/193	G	Loren Leath	6-2/190
G	Klay Thompson (Fr.)	6-6/187	G	Mike Marcial	6-1/180
G	Nikola Koprivica (Jr.)	6-6/217	G	Donald Thomas	6-6/215
F	Daven Harmeling (Sr.*)	6-7/227	F	Justin Eller	6-8/235
C	Aron Baynes (Sr.)	6-10/250	F	Mike Edwards	6-11/205

The Cougs have played two pretty bad teams so far this year, producing two comfortable wins. That's great news. Even better news? This is probably the worst team to visit Beasley Coliseum yet.

Now, this team was terrible last year, rating 330 out of 340 teams in Ken Pomeroy's system. But we know for sure that this team is terrible in a totally different way than last year's team. Why? New coach Brian Katz didn't feel like waiting around to rebuild -- he restocked his roster almost exclusively with JC transfers. Twelve of them, to be exact. (That is not a typo.) The result has been a team that has predictably produced two poor offensive performances and two bad defensive performances against marginal competition (Fresno State and UC Riverside).

These guys are still introducing themselves to each other, and let's just say that Friel Court is not the place for a team to find its sea legs. There's no way the Cougs lose this game, and there's really no way it's even close. The freshmen will continue to get valuable minutes, while guys like Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie will again get to play hard for about a half and rest their bodies for more meaningful competition.

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Anyone else doing this computer style?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

ya

I had four people bail on me, so here I am. Looks like the websites are only doing the score updates every 5 minutes, no play by play, no box score. WEAK

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/boxscore?gid=200811210632

and they’ve got this GameChannell feature. I’m checkin out.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Surprised its 14-13, Baynes and Thomson with all 14

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Give this a shot

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/gamechannel?c=passed&gid=200811210632

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ya i got it, thanks

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah

they’ve taken a lot of three’s. This team must be playin’ a zone.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Considering they have a 24 road losing streak, this is surprising so far. But they won’t shoot 62% the whole way against us.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

man, this looks ugly

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

No kidding

cougs were up 10-3 and then, whammy.

Cougs need to make some shots

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

My unreasonable expectations born of the last two games are starting to lower. . .

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 6:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

KLAY 9 points nice

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ya, I thought last game we looked a little off, but this is on a whole different level

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

did you go to the last game?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

ya

Im a student here, I would be there tonight but my bro is getting drunk somewhere, my roomate is playing soccer, my other friends are doing other stuff. Man, they have their priorities all messed up. Last game we just made a lot of freshman mistakes, turnovers, bad shots, but the D was solid.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Shoot, I would have gone by myself

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can tell you right now

the way they run the offense Klay will get a ton of looks this year. They really give him the greenlight to shoot whenver he has a decent look. His shot was off the first two games, but tonight, he is 4 of 5 from three already.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no kidding. I can't wait to see this kid play

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What year are you in school?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If it weren't for the 15 minute walk in the 30 degree, 20 mph wind, I might have

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, I remember the days

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I arrived just in time, Im a Junior, my first game was the Gonzaga upset 2 years ago

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

you are so lucky

my last year in Pullman was Harmelings freshman year. With Robbie, Derrick, and Kyle.

and Josh Akognon missed a jumper to beat Gonazaga that year.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

They really

screw people on the parking here, its crazy. I paid 240 bucks for a premium yellow pass but on game days I can’t park yellow, blue, at the free tennis courts, or even at the REC Center, they say you have to be dressed to go into the rec to park there. It’s such bull,

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You'd think that in the middle of farm land they could figure some decent parking

What part of town do you live in?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That sucks, but at least you didn't have to

get in line at 11 a.m. on a thursday for a 7 p.m. game against UCLA to get 14th row seats

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

North side

In providence court at the brand new Churchill downs

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I worked in the athletic department

I was spoiled

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thats the ticket

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Finally, Daven hits one!

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've never been a big Harmeling fan

He used to be too one dimensional, he couldn’t drive, or rebound really. This year he is better a better all around PF I think, but his 3 ball is still too inconsistent. 25 points one game, then 7 points the next 5. As I type this he hits another one, lol

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I was a big Harmeling fan.

But it’s because he’s a really, really awesome guy.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 6:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

YES. Harm is a dude.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, but when he's on he wins games single handedly

Think about the Stanford game two years ago

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ya, he is valuable

But I would almost start Forrest over him. Forest inside of the 3 point line has a much more consistant game, I think. He made an impressive dunk last game driving and going over a defender.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to fall deeply in love with Klay Thompson.

I can feel it.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 6:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can feel it too.

This guy could end up being the greatest Coug ever. Praise the Lord!

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd start 'em both, but I'm old school like that.

I’ve got that Dean Smith mentality. I’d start Rochestie, Koprivica, Harmeling, Forrest, and Baynes. Role with the upperclassmen. I’d bring the freaky, athletic freshman off the bench. I bet the minutes wouldn’t be any different in the end, but think it’s a respect and knowledge thing with me.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

At the Half

13 point lead, its pretty safe, but what interesting is our bench players have only taken 3 shots, and they only have 1 point. Bennett must be playing the starters overtime to make sure CSUS stays where they belong

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So what do we hope for in the second half?

The Cougs scoring 100? or holding Sac under 50?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Efficiency.

As long as the starters are in, as much of it as possible.

As football outsiders says, champions are defined not by their ability to win close games but by their ability to dominate inferior opponents.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett is a fan

of the 3 guard lineup, and with only 4 playable big men, running 3 as starters might not be the best. That said I would like to see that lineup on the floor from time to time.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sac under 50

They are shooting 52, that won’t hold. We are shooting 48, that probably will hold, and we will see the bench guys get more time in the 2nd half.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 6:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would prefer Sac under 50 as well

but it would be pretty dope to see the Cougs drop a hundo on someone.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that is a bit YMCA

Marching 4 tall white dudes out there for tip-off.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 6:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Closer than I anticipated

Hey, first post here, coug alum ’07

After our first 2 spectacular defense games, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed at allowing 28 at half… it’s Tony’s fault for setting the bar so high :)

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Right on DC

where are you at now?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

They already are 1 point short

of our average allowed PPG. But we will win by 20-30, so we’re fine. I can’t believe we have taken 17 3 point shots and 13 2’s.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

washington... dc

I always have to specify “washington…… state” when telling people when I’m from — they assume DC if you just say washington here

But yeah I got a job and moved out here after graduation… bringing crimson & gray to the east coast!

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't mind them amping up the possesions per game

as long as their efficiency remains strong.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

anyone watching the NO/OKC game?

waiting for Kyle Weaver to make an appearance…

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who do you think

Will lead the team in PPG this year? Rochestie, Baynes, or Klay?

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I thought Baynes pre-season.

But I’m starting to lean towards Klay.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It looks like he's getting the most shots

so I hope he leads the team in scoring.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I said I would buy a Weaver jersey nomater where he went.

I didn’t buy one.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BAYNES!

What can I say, I’m a believer. I definitely remember groaning whenever Baynes got the ball 2 years ago — horrible ballhanding, footwork, couldn’t finish….

But the guy has gotten better each season, almost visibly game to game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Klay leads this year in PPG, but I think Baynes would be more efficient with his shots and points and we need him to step up in order to be a serious contender this year.

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

With his size

if he has a polished game, he his such an asset

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Peaty, what do think of Capers?

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Baynes

only takes high percentage shots, Klay, not so much. Case and point tonight… Baynes 11 points on 4 shots + free throws, Klay 14 points on 10 shots. It goes with the position but I’m just gladwe have em both. I thought Rochestie would lead the team, though

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think guarding the peremiter will still be our achilles heel this year.

I guess there’s a silver lining in the deeper arc.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's what excites me about the future

These young guys are long and athletic. If the hustle on their close-outs this defense will be awesome for the next four years.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Rochestie

This year he’s definitely developing into the true point guard role — and (not that I know him personally) but I think it fits his personality — getting his teammates good looks and racking up assists. I think he’ll actually end up averaging lower than last year, but still be a better player overall.

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He is a smooth ball handler

There is no doubt he will start at point next year. I have only seen him for about 10 minutesbut I think he has the skills to get the ocassional tripple double. He had 6/6/9 his first game, with 25 minutes. I love the prospect of Capers, Thomson, Casto, Harthun for 4 years

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Rochestie has been my favorite player

for awhile. A real Bennett guy. Last game, he had two chances for easy points but he gives it off to Casto on one, someone else on the other one, to give the Freshmen some poins and confidence. And the whole scholarship thing.

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if Boeke will ever pan out.

I had high hopes for him. What a line-up that would be in three years.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

LOL

You guys have GOT to hit the “reply” button. You’re confusing the heck out of me.

;)

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Sorry, bro.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to reply

; )

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

13-26 from 3

Good, but Weird

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's a lot, I hope they don't make a habit out of turning games in to 3 point contests

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ahh... reply

Yeah, 26 attempts is a lot. Seems like every time my gamechannel updates it’s about a 3 pointer.

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How bout Casto?

My favorite player back when I was in school was Ivory Clark and I’ve heard about all the comparisons to him and DeAngelo so I’ve definitely got an eye on him this year! Have you guys read this PI article?
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/388575_wsufrosh20.html

I love this quote from him:
“I feel like there’s nothing funner than jumping up in the air and going to get a block or going up and getting a rebound.”

Gotta love a guy who uses the word “funner”

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Casto

Is Ivory Clark, with more offensive savy. If you could immagine a more agile version of a combination of Clark and Baynes, thats what he will be in 2-3 years

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

nice use of the reply button

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I forgot to on the one at the bottom though, one for two

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

lol

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus.

We’re one of those Raining Threes schools now? lol

Also: Congratulations to Taylor on his first double-double.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

With a deeper line too!

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on Nik

I wanna see five Cougs in double figures

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would rather see

2 with 20+

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hey.

Remember when we were losing?

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 21, 2008 7:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

:)

I was worried for about 2 minutes back in the 1st half

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No! I refuse to believe it ever happened.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Charlie in on the action with a hook shot

by peaty411s on Nov 21, 2008 7:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Word!

by Jo-Jo on Nov 21, 2008 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Reshirt guys

So is it official Tony’s redshirting Harthun and Watson? I wonder what his plan will be for John Allen… I’m pretty curious what this kid can be capable of. Call me optimistic but I think in a couple years he can develop into a pretty good pac-10 caliber kinda guy.

by dc_coug on Nov 21, 2008 7:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs