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OPEN HOOPS GAME THREAD: Stanford at WSU

Stanford 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!

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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 actions  

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.

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 7:16 PM PST reply actions  

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 up reply actions  

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 actions  

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 actions  

Just like Mike Price

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

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 7:20 PM PST up reply actions  

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 actions  

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 actions  

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.

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 7:28 PM PST reply actions  

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 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

also,

the foreign kids wore jeans.

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 7:51 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.

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

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 actions  

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 actions  

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.

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

one further

just baynes, taylor, klay and casto.

“my team is on the floor.”

by BigWood 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

by Craig Powers on Jan 10, 2009 8:03 PM PST reply actions  

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.

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 8:07 PM PST up reply actions  

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

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

Costo

Breaking the backboard! Technically

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

Great

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

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 8:15 PM PST reply actions  

Their heart is still beating

usually by this time it is flatlined

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

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

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

I got so excited

I made my kid cry. I’m not kidding.

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 8:20 PM PST reply actions  

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 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.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions  

rule on caleb

everything described about forrest must include the adjective “awkward”.

ie: Forrest’s appeal is declining… so many awkward fouls

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 8:36 PM PST reply actions  

meh

if it wasn’t green, it would be goods or someone else.

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 8:39 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!

by johnnycougar on Jan 10, 2009 8:44 PM PST 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.

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 8:46 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.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 8:50 PM PST up reply actions  

yikes

the baby hook crapped its diaper

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 8:49 PM PST reply actions  

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

by peaty411s on Jan 10, 2009 8:51 PM PST reply actions  

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

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 8:57 PM PST reply actions  

?

do you think TB will have to go to gamblers AA because he keeps beating abe is going to hit?

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 10, 2009 8:58 PM PST reply actions  

In comes Kop

Interesting. I guess for defense.

by BornCoug on Jan 10, 2009 8:58 PM PST reply actions  

FINALLY!

Good win. Very good win.

by BornCoug on Jan 10, 2009 9:01 PM PST reply actions  

Not surprising

After all, you’re the one who said “Game Over.” ;-)

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 10, 2009 9:03 PM PST up reply actions  

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.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 10, 2009 9:06 PM PST up reply actions  

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.

by selahcoug on Jan 10, 2009 9:06 PM PST reply actions  

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!

by johnnycougar on Jan 10, 2009 9:08 PM PST reply actions  

i'm telling you

tony should have gone all Norman Dale in the first half, only playing Casto, Klay, Baynes and Taylor.

by BigWood on Jan 10, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions  

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  

Nice!

Casto deserves it after tonight. I think his minutes will go up just a tad if he can keep it going.

by BornCoug on Jan 10, 2009 9:13 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!!!

by LatonaCoug on Jan 10, 2009 9:15 PM PST reply actions  

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