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OPEN HOOPS GAME THREAD: Stanford at WSU

Jeff_mug_h2_tiny by Nuss on in Cougar Basketball Comment 447 comments

Stanford Cardinal @ Washington St. Cougars


7 PM PST -- Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum

Kenpom.com prediction: Cougs win 58-57 (62 possesions, 53 percent confidence)

PROBABLE STARTERS 

WSU Cougars Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Taylor Rochestie 6-1 193 G Sr. 10.8 3.7 4.3
Klay Thompson 6-6 187 G Fr. 11.1 4.8 1.6
Nikola Koprivica 6-6 211 G Jr. 5.1 3.5 1.9
Caleb Forrest 6-8 223 F Sr. 6.2 3.4 0.4
Aron Baynes 6-10 250 C Sr. 11.1 6.0 0.6
Stanford Cardinal Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Mitch Johnson 6-1 185 G Sr. 8.4 2.0 4.5
Anthony Goods 6-3 200 G Sr. 17.3 3.8 1.8
Landry Fields 6-7 210 G/F Jr. 11.5 6.7 1.6
Josh Owens 6-8 215 F So. 10.5 5.1 1.2
Lawrence Hill 6-8 220 F Sr. 13.8 6.2 2.7

Let's just cut to the chase. The Cougs need this one, bad. Regardless of what appeared to be on Thursday night, I really think this offense is close to at least somewhat putting it together. Now, by "putting it together" I mean "scoring just enough points to eke out a game," but that will have to do for now.

Of course, Stanford was undefeated coming into Pac-10 play, something most people didn't expect, even against their cupcake schedule. They've done it by embracing the Duke system Johnny Dawkins brought from Durham, N.C., hook, line and sinker. They're smally, but they space the floor well and attack the gaps in the defense. In three Pac-10 games, they've posted an average offensive efficiency of 104.6, although the only real legit defense they've faced has been Arizona State. The Sun Devils held the Cardinal to just 90.0, which ought to give us hope of slowing them down tonight.

Defensively, the Cardinal have been up-and-down in conference play. The one thing we know for sure is that they're not nearly as intimidating without the Lopez twins. Last year, they were 6th nationally in 2-point field goal percentage allowed; this year, they're 321st. At the risk of you-know-what, there ought to be a lot of opportunities inside against Stanford's incredibly undersized front line.

And don't underestimate the role emotion could play tonight for the Cougs. Grady said the team showed a bit of desperation for the first time on Thursday, and Taylor Rochestie made it very clear that he hasn't forgotten about last year:

“Stanford beat us three times in a row last year, so, for the guys who are returning, I think that’s enough motivation to come back and play well."

Let's hope so, because I think we've all had enough heartbreak at the hands of Stanford.

JOIN THE GAME THREAD NOW!

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At least its on TV

Now can we look good in the 2nd half for once?

by peaty411s on Jan 10, 2009 6:54 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seriously, is it just me and you in here?

I would think with the game on TV we’d have more of a crowd. But I guess 3/4 of our readers are at the game.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:16 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Probably

The thrill is gone. Not eveyone is as demented as you and I.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 7:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They are just forcing things too much.

I really believe that if he just let them play a bit more, we’d actually see some creativity.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 7:16 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I really like that guys point system

I like the one that compairs points scored vs. opponents points scored. That determines the winner.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 7:18 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just like Mike Price

“I really think the key to the game is scoring more points than your opponent.”

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:20 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Boy, Stanford really collapses on defense

There really should be some open 3s tonight.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:21 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Live in the U district can't go to the bars with Huskies

Instead watching the game in basement with cooler of beer

Thank you Klay

by LatonaCoug on Jan 10, 2009 7:22 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just can't get out of my head

how much of a beast he’s going to be a year from now with 15 pounds of added muscle.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:24 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice recruit

Glad we got Casto Impact player knows how to win

by LatonaCoug on Jan 10, 2009 7:26 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

casto=winner

imagine capers in a year with 15lbs…imagine klay with 15lbs. those boys potenial is the only thing keeping me from switching to the hard booze.

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 7:26 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You know, I don't think the offense looks half bad at the moment

We’re getting some looks, now that we’re not turning the ball over and dribbling behind the basket.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:28 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Grady says ...

“These are the kind of refs that are killing college basketball. Neither of those were charges.”

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:35 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Grady says ...

“This team is snakebit.”

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:41 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Baynes is not handling Paul's length well

He needs to put that big Aussie butt into him

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 7:45 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I need the Cougs to be good

I have nothing as a Seattle sports fan to cheer for….

by LatonaCoug on Jan 10, 2009 7:48 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

because...

have you ever showed up for open gym by yourself, and got stuck on a team with 2 non-english speaking students, a girl and a really tall kid with long hair. pretty soon your down 7-1 and shooting pull up 3’s every poss. in hopes of getting the game over as quickly as possible. i think that is what taylor’s thinking right now.

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 7:49 PM PST reply reply actions actions   1 recs

also,

the foreign kids wore jeans.

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 7:51 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

only down 8!

If I had any faith in our offense to turn it around I might be excited

by Dancing Football on Jan 10, 2009 7:54 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

bless your heart taylor....

now just go for 20 in the second half so i can get my hopes up.

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 7:52 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm sending my Resume to FSN

I really think I could have a career in broadcasting if I just apply myself

These guys are horrible…….

by LatonaCoug on Jan 10, 2009 7:53 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Finally

Baynes and Casto at the same time. I like that lineup that was in withabout 2 minutes left: Baynes, Casto, Taylor, Thompson, and Nik. That would be the way I would go for starters. Baynes and Casto get douled and kick to the other side or rebound a miss. Nik can drive leaving shots for Klay or TAylor. Capers wouldbe my first off the bench, though he needs to drive to the hoop and at least be a scoing threat. I like Forrest to give Casto breathers and maybe Enquist for short amounts of time.

by selahcoug on Jan 10, 2009 7:57 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nik turns the ball over every time he drives

and Enquist would probably get manhandled by Pac 10 forwards

by Dancing Football on Jan 10, 2009 7:59 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm with you, with only one variation

Nik doesn’t pass much when he drives. I like Rochestie, Capers, Thompson, Casto, Baynes. Comon thread in that group – Athletes.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 8:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

one further

just baynes, taylor, klay and casto.

“my team is on the floor.”

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 8:04 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does anyone else wanna throw up when they see that FSN basketball commerical?

the one when brockman is acting like a douche at the end after blocking a shot

by Dancing Football on Jan 10, 2009 8:03 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I want to throw up most of the time when I'm watching FSN

But that’s because most of the time I’m watching FSN, I’m watching the Cougs.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 8:07 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

YES!

At a game in Oakland after a foul pop up is caught:

Fairly: “In any other ball park that would have been a foul ball.”
Niehaus: “Well Ron I think it is a foul ball in this ball park too.”
Fairly: stutters…then silence for the only time in his career

by Dancing Football on Jan 10, 2009 8:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

show down

i’d like to see a Maccullough vs. J Gess half time announcer show down in the 5-6 slot sundays on fsn. all the trials and tribulations of the job…winner gets to do the apple cup live in the booth for the reply the next day

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 8:10 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Costo

Breaking the backboard! Technically

by peaty411s on Jan 10, 2009 8:11 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great

He thought he heard the horn, so now we have 1 second to shoot. Idiots.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 8:15 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Their heart is still beating

usually by this time it is flatlined

by peaty411s on Jan 10, 2009 8:16 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

don't tease me

i feel like the cougs are texting me to come over at mid night after hooking up with my best frend

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 8:16 PM PST reply reply actions actions   1 recs

thats what i'm fucking talking about

guard dunking……wow…i think the guy living abouve me just called the police

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 8:18 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I got so excited

I made my kid cry. I’m not kidding.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 8:20 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gotta be careful

Don’t want to run too much.

CougCenter

by Nuss on Jan 10, 2009 8:24 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nik is terrible

He is more like a battery operated dancing santa than brent barry

by peaty411s on Jan 10, 2009 8:25 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs