Return of the Mac
by Jo-Jo on Dec 18, 2008 11:20 AM PST
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PrintCan any of you faithful Coug fans tell me who lead the team in scoring the last time they played at the Univeristy of Idaho? Given the nature of this community I'm sure that many can. But, for those of you who can't it was a sophomore guard by the name of Mac Hopson.
Hopson came off the bench that night and in only 14 minutes produced an impressive line:
FG-FGA 3FG-3FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF TP A TO BLK S
5 - 5 3 - 3 1 - 1 0 3 3 1 14 3 0 0 2
Those numbers are stagering, and I would be impressed to see any of the current Cougs put together a line like that against the Vandals this weekend. But where do those numbers come from? Who was this guy? Well, in all honesty those numbers shouldn't have fooled anyone. Mac Hopson was the starting point guard for the 2006-2007 Washington State University Men's basketball team. You know, the one that made the NCAA tournament. At least he was when the season started.
Hopson will again be playing in the WSU @ UI game this Sunday night, this time wearing Gold and Black. Now the starting point guard for the University of Idaho, Hopson is averaging 17.2 points, 5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. So, how does it come to this? How does a kid with this much talent end up facing off against a team that he was contributing for just two season ago? Let's take a look back.
The Josh Akognon factor
With Daven Harmeling our lingering waft of precious fragrance from that first Bennett recruiting class, Coug fans long for the rise of the next great group of studs to come through the system. Looking back at that class, it was Robbie Cowgill, Derrick Low, and Kyle Weaver that were the backbone of the group, leading the Cougs in the glory that we've all shared in over the past few years. But when you turn back the clocks, and look at that class as they came through the doors in Bohler as freshman, things didn't quite turn out how one would have thought. A 6-9 248lbs. post from the legendary Mater Dei HS by the name of Chris Henry was considered the highest rated recruit the Cougs brought in. Henry's post precense coupled with the guard play of Low was to be the cornerstone of the Bennett rebuild in Pullman.
Coming in late and a little under the radar was a 6 foot tall gun slinger from California; Josh Akognon.
This young man eventually went on to be the Cougars leading scorer in the sophomore season of that harolded class. He had a higher fg% and 3fg% than Low, but something happened shortly thereafter. Akognon requested his release and transfered. He now spends his time scoring 25.5 points per game for Cal State Fullerton.
I couldn't tell you how many times I've said over the past two seasons "imagine how good this team would be if they hadn't lost Josh Akognon?" Remeber two seasons ago, when the big question was "who is the man? Who is going to be the guy that will take the game winning shot if they need him to?" That guy would have been Akognon, and those Cougar teams could have really used him. Well, enough on that.
Back to Hopson
Two weeks after Akognon got his release, rookie head coach Tony Bennett signed his first ever recruit to Washington State univeristy.
"Mac is a welcomed addition to our program," Bennett said. "He had an excellent season with NIC. He is a very good student, comes from a wonderful family, and has a burning desire to be at Washington State and compete in the Pac-10. The fact that he in an in-state recruit and has three years of eligibility left excites me all the more."
Wow, that is some praise. And Hopson stepped right in as Akognon's replacement, starting seven of the first eight games of the season for the Cougs. But the development of another sophomore started the decline of Hopson's career in Pullman. But it might not be who you would think. The easy guess would be Taylor Rochestie. Yeah, he came outa nowhere that season. Rochestie was still in nowheresville at that point. It was the shooter; Daven Harmeling. As Harmeling's stock was rising, coach Bennett needed to find a way to get him more minutes. That way came in the form of giving the ball handling duties back to Low and Weaver and giving the minutes to Harmeling.
December 5th, 2006. The night the Cougs beat Gonzaga, launched Harmeling to legendary status. That game, we will never forget. What is forgotten, however, is that it was the first game of the season that Hopson didn't play in. Just four nights later Hopson responded with the afore mentioned perfect game against the Vandals, but he was seen only sparingly for the rest of the season.
Coming off the bench as a backup point guard, Hopson started sharing time with yet another sophomore (now all the man crushers can celebrate). This time, it was a fellow transfer; Taylor Rochestie. Hopson and Rochestie split small amounts of minutes through out most of the rest of the season. I can only imagine what that battle looked like in practice on a daily basis as they where fighting for the same precious minutes. As the season went on, Rochestie's knee got stronger and his minutes increased while Hopson's deminished. Then something unpredictable happened. The legend of Taylor Rochestie was about to begin.
The foundation of a love affair
On Valentine's day in 2007, in Seattle, Rochestie came off the bench to lead all scorers in WSU's victory over Washington. After the game coach Bennett had this to say about him, "He gave us a spark off the bench and he defended too. He is showing the things we saw in him. He helped us in so many ways tonight." Rochestie also showed his leadership by saying of himself "I tried to take control of the situation." A new leader was blossoming.
The next weekend was a battle for the two competing point guards. At the University of Oregon they split bench minutes and though it appeared that Hopson had the better night, Bennett rewarded Rochestie with his first start as a Coug at Oregon State. Though you wouldn't have noticed then, looking back at this game you can almost smell the irony.
Weaver came off the bench that night (uhh?) and played 33 minutes, leaving 32 minutes for Hopson and Rochestie to split. And while neither of them had an accumulative impact on the game it was Hopson's jumper with 35 seconds left in the game that gave the Cougars the win. I remember watching that game and thinking "I like this kid. He's raw, but he's got something going for him."
After that night, Rochestie went on the greatest streak of his Cougar career, scoring 21 in an overtime victory over USC to end the regular season, 20 in a Pac-10 tournament win over UW, and 15 in an NCAA first round victory over Oral Roberts. Rochestie had solidified himself, Hopson wasn't even a blip on a radar screen. While coach Bennett recieved a truck load of awards, within a month of the end of the run, Hopson gets his release from the team and looks for a new home.
Back to the now
via www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net
Hopson ended up down the street at the UI, where his father Phil is considered a "former Vandal Great." Maybe it's where he was meant to be all along. But, much like how I felt about Akognon, I've thought of Hopson over the past two years. Especially this season as the Cougs lack depth at ball handling. I can imagine what this team would look like if he were still there. Surely he would be seeing plenty of minutes and putting him on the floor with Rochestie would have been a sight to see.
So, if you needed any more of a reason to get excited about this game on Sunday (which most of us who frequent this site are Cougar basketball junkies without extra motivation needed), picture this; A reunion of two point guards, both of which have gone on to success, that just two season ago where battling it out for the same bench minutes on a now legendary team, facing each other like they might have so many times before in practice. Only this time they are wearing different uniforms. And this time, the result goes in a column.
As a fan, I know that I am looking forward to this underlying battle.
Rochestie v. Hopson
Ding - Ding
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I 2nd that.
I was a fan of WSU HOOPS but I don’t remember reading all that many of your posts there.
That's because I didn't really post very much there.
Nuss brought me on as a contributor near the end. Mostly because he is one of my best friends and because I commented so much, I think he just figured he’d give me a little love.
Hopson began his career as a starter
He had nine assists in the first game of the season, i think it may have been against UAB.
It was
and he was also 0-5 from the field for the worst shooting performance of his Cougar career. Over the next 7 games he hit 15 of 30 shots including 7 of 12 from 3 point range. Solid
Sorry I'm a terrible skimmer I guess.
I just looked over this real quick earlier, now I realized you did mention he was a starter on two different occassions. Apologies.
by Craig Powers on Dec 18, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions
I was going to just drive over to Moscow
but with this snow I am thinking twice about it. I know the Mac factor makes this game interesting, but in reality it should be another Montana State or Canisius.
Great post btw Jo-Jo!
7 in a row, baby!
by johnnycougar on Dec 18, 2008 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
why?
does anyone know the exact reason why hopson transfered? i guess pt? i know why j.a. did, as he was quoted “i wanted to dribble more”. but hopson, come on man, don’t you like winning and playing in front of more than 24 people at home? interesting choice, and i hope taylor puts it on him. i enjoyed his game winner at osu 2 years ago on the road, but i don’t like to second guess what has happened. who knows how well the team would have meshed had those guys stuck around. i’m just hoping this one is better than the game a few years ago that ended in the 30’s with jeff varum ramming home the game winning dunk.
It was all about PT
Akognon left because he didn’t like the system. Too bad, the Cougs could have used him. Hopson left because he felt like he could be contributing more, and I agree with him. He was the starter when the season started and barely saw the floor near the end while the other guards were playing 35+ minutes. There were just too many players on that team.
I question in my mind is; which of the current Cougar guards in the log-jam are going to leave? Next year this team will have Koprivica, Lodwick, Thompson, Capers, Harthune, Witherill, Thames, and Brown (am I missing anyone?). When Koprivica graduates they will be bringing in Simon. That will be eight guys, none of them seniors, most of them came coming in as decent recruits. You’ve got to believe that at least one of those guys is not gonna be happy with they’re minutes.
There is just no reason to leave quality talent on the bench. As much as I would have liked to see Akognon on those tournament teams, and as much as I would have LOVED Hopson last season and ESPECIALLY this season, those guys were too good to be sitting on the bench. These guys weren’t Jeremey Cross or Antonio Chavers, these guys were quality players with multiple years of elegibility left. Their development would have slowed without playing time, and nobody enjoys watching from the bench, especially when you know you are good enough to be on the floor.
I'm confused
I don’t get your point, are you saying that Tony and his staff should not continue to recruit talented players because that leaves good players on the bench?
No, not at all
I think they should continue to recruit as much talent as possible to create a surplus. But, people shouldn’t be upset or judge those players that end up on the short end of the stick for playing time, if they want to go somewhere else.
This current class of freshman are going to be awesome, and the Cougs have a strong class coming in next year as well. Someone asked the other day why the Cougs are still offering scholarships to player for 2010 when Koprivica is the only player graduating and they’ve already got a commit in Patrick Simon. It is because there is always a bit of attrition other than the nature form of graduation that comes with putting together a roster.
I guess I’m just defending Josh Akognon and Mac Hopson right now. I mean seriously, pissed off at Thomas Abercrombie right now? No one? How many people are going to be pissed off at him if he ends up averaging 20 per game for some mid-major next year? And if that happens I be ready to defend him too. Really, that kid had no chance once they signed Thompson, Harthun and Capers. Let him go somewhere where he can actually get to play.
You always want to fill the cupboard with as much talent as possible. In fact, having players leave the program for PT, in my opinion, is a sign of a coaching staff that is doing a great job of recruiting. It means that they are able to find so much talent that there are too many player for the amount of minutes available. That’s a great problem to have.
So in reality, I’m saying the exact opposite.
Question
How do schools like UCLA and UNC, etc. keep the end of the bench stocked? How do they keep a 4-star guy sitting when he knows he could start many other places?
Because they send underclassmen to the league.
Most of those teams don’t really have studs beyond the 9th or 10th spot in the rotation. They’ve got those token fan favorites that get to play on senior day. But think about it, how many of those 5-star guys stay for four years?
Let’s do it, let’s break down UCLA’s classes since 2004 and find out (I’m intrigued)
2004-
PG 5 Jordan Farmar – * – gone after 2
SG 8 Arron Afflalo – **** – gone after 3
PF 23 Lorenzo Mata-Real – **** – played all 4 years
SG 24 Josh Shipp – **** – redshirted, declared for NBA & stayed, on current roster
SG NR DeAndre Robinson – ** – didn’t play much, didn’t stick around for senior year
2005-
PG 11 Darren Collison – **** – on current roster
C 13 Alfred Aboya – **** – on current roster
PF 14 Ryan Wright – **** – transfered after 2
SG 18 Mike Roll – **** – redshirted, on current roster, played in all 36 games in ‘06-’07
SG NR Luc Richard Mbah a Moute – * – gone after 3
2006-
PF 9 James Keefe – **** – junior on current roster, plenty of PT
SG 16 Russell Westbrook – **** – gone after 2, go Supersonics
SF NR Nikola Dragovic – * – on current roster, notice the single star
2007-
C 1 Kevin Love – * – 1 and done
SF 18 Chace Stanback – **** – transfered after 1 year
2008-
SG 1 Jrue Holiday – * – starting as a freshman
C 3 J’mison Morgan – * – playing as a freshman
PG 3 Jerime Anderson – **** – playing as a freshman
SG 7 Malcolm Lee – **** – playing as a freshman
PF 15 Drew Gordon – **** – playing as a freshman
& who knows how this class will end up …
So only 7 of 15 recruits stayed their whole career over a 4 year span from 2004 to 2007 (and Josh Ship tried to leave, so you can take another away).
I guess the point is, these guys were either seeing minutes or leaving. UCLA isn’t keeping a bunch of 4-star guys sitting when they know they could be starting many other places, those guys are hitting the bricks.
To bring this full circle, as I said earlier, this thing with Akognon and Hopson might be showing a growth in the WSU program. This might sound a bit harsh, but I would have no problem watching some 3-star guys leave if the Cougs were bringing in 4-star guys that would be taking their jobs (Thomas Abercrombie, though not a 3-star the same principle applies, is the perfect example).
This Blog
is frekin Awsome. Thanks to Grady, Nuss, and everyone who fanposts’ and comments. It is nice to get my cougar fix whenever I need it. (about 12 times per week)
I second that
This blog rocks. You guys are the best.
Thanks
That means a lot. But at the risk of sounding corny, it’s really guys like you that make it worth our time. Thanks for putting in the time to the community that makes it fun for us to spend as much time as we do neglecting our families!
Dont forget studies.
They get neglected a ton.
I was more talking about me, since I don't have studies anymore
But if you neglect your studies to make this a better place, i’m all for it!
OK, that makes more sense
What confused me was your stating that we have all these players and then stating, “There is just no reason to leave quality talent on the bench.” Because, when you have a talented team, that is what happens. A team like UCLA, Duke, UNC, etc., , 10th, 11th man is likely an All-American and will see little time. Unfortunately for the player, it happens. Would either of them helped us win more games (or beat UNC) last year? I don’t thing so.
Another thing to consider, who we were able to recruit to replace Hopson and Akognan. What two existing players would not be on this WSU team because the scholarships that were used by Akognan and Hopson.
I agree with you 100% about not criticizing the player. Players leave for various reasons and it is their right to do so. I read too much of it on certain sites, especially regarding football that try to blame the player, the former coach, etc.
Regarding Mac Hopson and Josh Akognan, I hold no ill will torward them, but they left and now they are the enemy. If they do well, fine. If they don’t do well, fine. I am not sure if Josh really fit in well in the schemes that we were playing. I think Hopson would have helped this years team a lot, but if he had stayed last year he would have had inconsistent playing time as well just like two years ago. He made the right decision for himself.
You are exactly right
Thank you for explaining it that way, I was having a hard time articulating that.
I do think, if Akognon had let himself fit into the system, he would have help the Cougs a ton. Two years ago they had such a great team and we all watched them grow into their own over the course of the season, but the one thing they were missing was that “one” guy. The one that had no fear, that you just knew that you could give him the ball with the game on the line and, hit or miss, he wouldn’t even worry about taking that shot. Josh Akognon is that kind of player.
In terms of who replaces those guys, well Hopson replaced Akognon so we are really only talking about one guy. Hopson and Chris Matthews both transfered leaving two scholley’s out there, Lodwick was already in the books so it was either Fabien Boeke or Stephen Sauls (who is now gone and his scholarship led the Cougs to Casto). So this totally proves my point. If guys aren’t playing, and wont really be playing, and they want to go, great! Go use that scholarship on another kid and role the dice on the next group of guys.
In big time programs with continuity, freshman contribute. Otherwise they wouldn’t be good enough to be there and they’d be somewhere else. Can anyone else see this beginning to happen at WSU? I can.
That's why I'm not really worried too much about the current logjam
Those things just have a tendency to work themselves out. A guy gets hurt and either leaves or is never the same (Chris Henry and Stephen Sauls), a guy transfers for whatever reason (Hopson, Akognan, Abercrombie), a guy turns out to be no good, whatever. It always works out in the end.
Anybody shedding any tears over losing Sauls right now, since his scholarship went to DeAngelo Casto?
Snowed in
Stuck in my house with no Internet for the past three days. Finally got down off that massive hill I live on.
One Negative impact of the transfer
Is graduation rate. The athletic department has to work a little harder to prove that the transfer was on good standing and “on track” to graduate, otherwise we get docked.
The impact is minimal as long as they're on track to graduate
And by “on track” it simply means not flunking out of a bunch of classes. I don’t think that’s the case with anyone on this team. They’d have a problem with Bennett long before there was a problem with the NCAA.
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