OPEN HOOPS GAME THREAD: Stanford at WSU
by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 6:30 PM PST
Email
PrintStanford Cardinal at Washington St. Cougars, Jan 10, 2009 7:00 PM PST
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!
447 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
At least its on TV
Now can we look good in the 2nd half for once?
I love the way the wrote "MAYOR OF PULLMAN/PA ANNOUNCER"
How about “Head of the Best Stinking Broadcast Journalism Department West of the Mississippi?”
Did you see the way the screen said "Johnny Dawkins"
Yet they were showing WSU assistant Ron Sanchez?
That pisses me off so much
This is not the freaking YMCA. You can’t just stand around with your hands in the air like, “I’M OPEN!”
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.
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.
I really like that guys point system
I like the one that compairs points scored vs. opponents points scored. That determines the winner.
Just like Mike Price
“I really think the key to the game is scoring more points than your opponent.”
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
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.
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.
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.
Grady says ...
“These are the kind of refs that are killing college basketball. Neither of those were charges.”
I've seen him quote pomeroy so that is surprising
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions
I saw Luke Winn at SI write an entire piece on Gonzaga's defensive efficiency
That made me smile. Of course, they’ve still got Seth Davis, so they’ll still always be terrible in my book.
Forrest is giving us absolutely nothing
Teams have figured him out. I love his energy, but he really just doesn’t bring a heck of a lot to the table.
So we get nothing from Forrest, Harmeling, and Nik
how many mins a game do they each average? ugh
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:47 PM PST up reply actions
Which is why I've started to think we all need to get off Rochestie's back
He just gets no help most of the time.
YES!
We need more arbitrary stat quoting around here
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions
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 actions 1 recs
Hey I was a tall kid with long hair!
They called me dirk because I love to shoot the three
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:50 PM PST up reply actions
only down 8!
If I had any faith in our offense to turn it around I might be excited
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:54 PM PST up reply actions
bless your heart taylor....
now just go for 20 in the second half so i can get my hopes up.
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…….
I still maintain that Mitch Johnson is the most overrated point guard in the history of college basketball
You know how many assists that guy gets just by giving the ball to talented players and not trhowing it out of bounds?
13 minutes without a FG?
4 of 20 shooting? 2 assists?
not the best time for that
how about in the middle of the game to rile up the crowd?
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure there's ever a good time for it in the college game
Two shots and possession is a REALLY steep price to pay in a 60-possession game.
The refs are showing how crappy they are in the Pac-10, we must have theirfinest.
Watching UW/Cal and ther were many badcalls. The O foul calls on Nik wer crap. You don’t call offensive foul when the d fender is under the hoop.
Having to T-up Bennet because he thinks your calls suck is like
Having Ichiro argue balls and strikes with you. When he does, you know you screwed up.
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.
I like Capers instead of Nik in that combo
Although, Nik really should have 4 points. Both of those charges were horrible. If nothing else, though, it put him on the bench and we got to see some different combos.
Nik turns the ball over every time he drives
and Enquist would probably get manhandled by Pac 10 forwards
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 7:59 PM PST up reply actions
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.
one further
just baynes, taylor, klay and casto.
“my team is on the floor.”
I thought I was bad during football - now its becoming a real problem
I don’t think my TV will survive this B-Ball season. Its just screaming for a beer bottle to be thrown throught the screen
After listening to Bud Namek my gf thought of a new drinking game
Every time he says “penetration” She rocks
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:04 PM PST up reply actions
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
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.
in case you missed it
todd maccullough can do it al night long…
and by “it”, he means pinball.
Maccullough is level with the short guy who does the M's pregame
Maccullough must be sitting on the ground while the other guy is sitting on 7 pillows
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 Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions
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
Their heart is still beating
usually by this time it is flatlined
color guy:
casto isn’t the guy you want taking that shot…
i guess he should’ve set up a play with less than a second…
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 actions 1 recs
thats what i'm fucking talking about
guard dunking……wow…i think the guy living abouve me just called the police
I'd love to see him attack like that more
If he can jump like that, he ought to be able to get to the rim and hang for contact.
True
I was lamenting more than anything
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:22 PM PST up reply actions
That move is awesome
He now can catch the ball 8 feet from the basket and score. That is so valuable.
Plus Nik can dunk from the free throw line
and shoot 50% from three
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:26 PM PST up reply actions
Nik is terrible
He is more like a battery operated dancing santa than brent barry
My buddy and I were watching that game in the Tournament against Marquette when Johnson had 15 assists and like 13 of them were just dump-ins to Brook Lopez
We passed a man law that any assist you totally don’t deserve should forever be called a Mitch Johnson.
ehlo big-timed me when i asked for a picture at a football game this year
if he’s on the zagwagon, i don’t miss him, lol
I was once told a stat that in College basketball teams score on 30% of half court possessions
Not sure how true it was
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions
I wanna know what happened in the locker room
I was once at soccer practice one day when Tobias told everyone that he would pull their scholarships tomorrow if they didn’t change the way they were playing.
They Changed.
You were using too may big basketball words
we needed some mindless dribble
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:35 PM PST up reply actions
No, I mean one where you publish all your little sayings
You should steal some from Ottmar for good measure.
rule on caleb
everything described about forrest must include the adjective “awkward”.
ie: Forrest’s appeal is declining… so many awkward fouls
what just happened?
I didn’t know he was a real person.
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions
This offense has so much confidence right now
I’m actually having fun watching this team. Haven’t said that for a while.
I love that I am not in the worst mood
I remember why I like sports now
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions
NO TV Coverage in my area!!!!!
I’m out of town and cannot watch the game but am dutifully following it here! How did we turn things around at the start of the 2nd half?
7 in a row, baby!
Klay Thompson with the most amazing dunk for the cougs all year
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions
possibly in the bennett era
left handed varem dunk vs. cal was awesome too
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions
it was clark
I don’t know if weaver could get up high enough for that
by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions
literally?
finally time he stepped up then I guess!
7 in a row, baby!
by johnnycougar on Jan 10, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions
They've just loosened up
They’re pushing it when they get the chance, taking open looks early in the shot clock when they’re there. And then, of course, there’s THE DUNK. You’ll have to wait to see that. I’ll bet it’s on youtube by the end of the night.
please someone put it up!
7 in a row, baby!
by johnnycougar on Jan 10, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions
The only thing I can compair it to is when a fight breaks out
you know when you are kinda in a shoving match with some guy outside the Coug with same asshole and it’s not really a big deal. Then all of a sudden you feel a fist hit your face from 10 feel away, and for .5 seconds everything is calm, then you go ape shit and put the guy in the hospital. That’s kinda what it looked like for about 8 minutes.
am i the only one who gets
pissed at the physics of that shot in the hampton commercial?
The Dunk was not even that great
Its just everyone expected him to pass it. And he never drives into traffic. So it was like WHOA
We have one of the best rebounders in the Pac-10
And give up 2 offensive rebounds. If we lose this game that way, I will absolute crap myself
If we play this well and lose
It will be a really rough year
?
do you think TB will have to go to gamblers AA because he keeps beating abe is going to hit?
In comes Kop
Interesting. I guess for defense.
Was that actually Thompson with the block?
Either way, great play.
You're right ... I did. I was wrong
But who could have predicted the fashion in which they made that comeback.
This is one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen, based on the context of the situation.
I think Tony has found the lineups that work
Just need Harmeling or Lodwick to start hitting 3s when coming off the bench. And Capers to drive to the hoop.
The funny thing is that the lineup was necessitated by foul trouble more than anything
Glad something finally forced his hand.
Casto for MVP!
I’m thinking of starting a slow clap sports movie moment in his honor…
clap……………………………………………………..clap……………………………………………………..clap…………………………………clap………………………………clap…………………..clap……….clap….clap….CLAP CLAP! CLAP!
7 in a row, baby!
i'm telling you
tony should have gone all Norman Dale in the first half, only playing Casto, Klay, Baynes and Taylor.
AND.....
Most importantly, HE’S ONLY A FRESHMAN!
Damn, can you imagine if Tony can bring in another recruiting class like this one? What will we be like in two years?
7 in a row, baby!
by johnnycougar on Jan 10, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
On ESPN's Streak for the Cash
they had our game as one of the games you could select.
98.6% of America picked us to lose.
Taste it, bitches!
by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 9:13 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Coaching vs recruiting
It will be interesting to see how our freshmen develop under TB compared to the “so called” great recruit that Oregon has under Ernie Kent. I bet TB develops players better!!!!! And that will help with future recruits!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
