This one's gonna hurt

by Grady Clapp on Dec 28, 2008 8:17 PM PST

Apologies for not getting the graph up sooner, as I just survived a trip over Snoqualmie Pass and am now back in Pullman... and back on the blog. Although I must say Nuss did an excellent job running the show by himself.

This was a big game for a number of reasons. And just like Baylor, Pitt and Gonzaga the second half was the downfall for the Cougars. This loss hurts more because of how close we were - leading by seven points midway through the second half and getting as close as 53-52 before collapsing down the stretch.

In the big picture, WSU finishes non-conference play with only one BCS-conference win on the tournament resume. That's 8-4 Mississippi State, a team we should root for as they get set to take on the rest of the SEC, LSU included. This win could have given us some wiggle room. Instead, a WSU finish at around 9-9 in conference play means this could be the kind of loss that puts us on the outside looking in.

All the usual problems that we've been harping on remain - Rochestie took 16 shots (as many as Thompson and Baynes combined) and only had 2 assists. LSU made more free throws than the Cougs attempted, a recurring theme that I'll elaborate on later. And the Cougs had 5 team assists to 18 turnovers - about the exact opposite of what Bennett ball is supposed to aim for.

Still, the Cougs were in it for the majority of the game against a 10-1 LSU team that may be better than we think. There's some regrouping to do, and then it's back on the court for another huge test: at home versus the Huskies.

Let's hope the pass clears up for that one.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Based on what we've seen so far this year

I felt this lose was somewhat predictable. It’s upsetting to me.

by Jo-Jo on Dec 29, 2008 7:58 AM PST reply actions

Worst loss since Vandy?

That may sound extreme but….

• major tourney implications. Playing for a seed and playing for a berth are 2 different things. Playing for a seed is like hoping you get Daniels Brolier over Outback. Playing for a berth is like hoping you get some left over Wendy’s vs. having to go hungry. We now have to be near perfect in the Pac-10. we can’t afford a lose to an oregon state or Oregon, and we have to beat some pretty good team along the way. Our shot to beat a good non-conference team is gone. Unless we are able to start scoring consistently, we are on the bubble all season.
• we were up 7 and in complete control. Baynes was rolling and Taylor was starting to knock down some shots. once that happened, with the way we were playing D’ I got the foolish thought in my head we had a chance to win and started enjoying the game. this lead to my heart being broken very quickly.
• one player was 95.6% responsible for us going from close game to blow out. Nikola took it upon himself to start playing like he was a 9th grade girl getting into her first varsity basketball game. t.b. should have pulled him after he shot the 3 from the corner when baynes had scored 3 times in a row. I put some of the onus on t.b, but come on. Daven is shooting 45% from 3 and you aren’t going to put him on the court in the second half? Daven has had huge games this season, I don’t think Nick has ever had a game where you could say he was our best player. just so everyone can remember, big nick went air ball lay up, missed baseline 3, gave up a 3 in transition, bounced the ball off his knee, threw it away twice, and fouled a guy for an And 1 on a fast break….all within about 5 minutes. i don’t want to trash our team, but to watch that unfold made me sick
Winning cures all ill’s. And this weekend’s game is now twice as huge.

by donkeyjon12 on Dec 29, 2008 10:36 AM PST reply actions

Niko

I could not agree more. I have said time and time again he is not a PAC 10 player but he continues to get his minutes. Even last year he was pulling the same crap. I mean serioulsy as you mentioned above he completly cost us the game. That airball layup looked like my 5 year old nephew playing. Horrible and i hope TB begins to recognize it. At least Forrest started and looked good but Niko played in crunch time and played like a retard. I have been having nightmares about him since. Sorry Niko but its true.

by koolbreeze on Dec 30, 2008 3:08 PM PST up reply actions