The one guy who could really help us is currently in retirement

by Grady Clapp on Jan 3, 2009 5:52 PM PST

Edit (7:00): Yep, we may want to work on that whole offensive rebounding thing.

Back from the game.... I'm not sure how the officiating looked on TV, but the crowd sure wasn't happy for the majority of the first half. That wasn't the big story, however.

Yet again - just like the Gonzaga game - the Cougs let a close game get away. And then they lost there composure and let it really get away. This game was closer than the final score indicates. But we'll keep seeing final scores like this one, or the Gonzaga one, or the LSU one, etc. because the Cougars need more discipliine.

They need Dick Bennett.

Don't get me wrong, Tony Bennett is a hero to the Cougar Nation, but Dick Bennett had a way of developing players. And he never let up. I'm just seeing a lot of uncharacteristically bad things - silly turnovers, defensive lapses, problems in transition and a complete lack of flow on offense. These were things Dick just didn't stand for - particularly the transition problems.

The real tragedy is that most of these problems fall in the hands of a group of seniors (and 1 junior if you count Nik) who should know better. Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver aren't walking through that door - it's the seniors who have to give us a chance to win.

You're guess is as good as mine as to how to fix this. Credit the Huskies, who are a much better defensive team than I ever would've expected. On the offensive end they beat us the exact same way Oregon used to. High screens, quicker guards and a knack for getting the ball in the basket.

We're all mad about that classless little dunk play at the end. And we're all frustrated this team isn't playing better. The good news is college basketball is more about how you finish than how you start. But we're starting to dig ourselves a hole that seems deeper every game. The postseason looks like it's a long way away.

Most of you didn't get to see the Cougs in their first few games. It's a shame, because they looked incredible. We blew out MVSU by an even wider margin than we did last year. The offense was firing on all cylinders, especially from the perimeter. The defense looked like it hadn't skipped a beat. Surely this type of team can return at some point, right?

I think it's time to dig a little deeper on the bench. Mike Harthun could have been out there for more than the small stretch he played in the first half. DeAngelo Casto should've seen some more minutes in the second half.

Maybe Tony left the upperclassmen out there late in the second half to teach them a lesson: this is your mess, now clean it up.

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That last statement cracks me up.

This is Tony’s mess. HE needs to clean it up. Unless I’m a total idiot (which I have been accused of before, but I don’t believe it) the players that give this team the best chance to win are sitting on the bench while the upperclassmen crap away their chances. Casto was awesome tonight, shoulda played 30 minutes. If Nik is going to cost them that much on offense, then why not give Capers more minutes. You can see little moments where it looks like they’re trying to get things straight (more effort to get the bigs the ball in scoring position is the best example), but then the regress back to suck.

It is all poor decision making, which comes back to coaching. May God strike me dead to question Mr. Bennett, but seriously, there really is no other place to lay the blame. If the players on the floor don’t do the things they are supposed to do, then you need to replace them. I wish Thomas Jones was in the Cougar locker room tonight.

I agree with you, Grady, that this team misses Dick Bennett.

by Jo-Jo on Jan 3, 2009 6:23 PM PST reply actions

I'm not saying I agree with that statement

I’m just thinking that was Tony’s thought process.

But I thing you bring up some really good points, as Casto and Capers could have really helped us. And I don’t get how we’re ever going to get Harthun going if he only plays in small stretches near the end of the first half. I may be jumping off the Nik bandwagon a little; although that beautiful drive and lay-in in the second half shows what he can do on offense when he puts his mind to it.

I don’t think the blame falls squarely on Tony, though. This senior class has experience with Dick Bennett and has learned from some of the best before them: Derrick, Kyle and Robbie. They need to emulate that style of play once again.

And there’s nothing wrong with questioning Tony when it’s warranted. In this case I think it definitely is. This team is better than how they played tonight.

by Grady Clapp on Jan 3, 2009 6:44 PM PST up reply actions

good points

It is hard for Casto to get his minutes (even though i’d love to see it) because Baynes and Caleb arn’t really playing terrible….but Capers has to get more minutes. If they arn’t going to run a play for Daven, he really shouldn’t be on the floor since no one else is capable of creating a shot for him. Nik is terrible. Hell, I’d rather have him out there than Taylor for certain streches. What’s wrong with a back court of Klay, Taylor and Capers? Push Klay over to the 3, and hope for some sort of spark….I don’t think it can really get worse on the offensive side of the ball.

T.B. has ceartainlty made some suspect judgment calls this season, but I don’t know if bringing Dick back would cure all ills. Our D for the most part has looked good as ever. It was Tony that loosened up the O and seemingly gave us the best of both worlds. Right now the problem could be we have a bunch of role players playing with a bunch of freshmen. No superstars, no game changers. A bunch of guys who play well when they are the 4th or 5th option, but don’t have the ability to carry a team on their own. This team reminds me a lot of the team with Kelati and Varum. Good, just not good enough. In a lot of games at half, only to find themselves down 20 when the final buzzer sounds. I hope that isn’t the case with this years team, but as someone said earlier, if you use your head not your heart, things are looking NIT at best. Next year more of the same. And hopefully in 2 years back sweet to16 form.

P.S. justin detmon doesn’t have a game like that the rest of his career.

by donkeyjon12 on Jan 3, 2009 10:55 PM PST reply actions

The problem is the guards

Rochestie has been a worse shooter and worse decision maker than he was last year. Klay Thomson is good when he is fed, but he can’t create shots. Nik needs he PT cut, cut and then cut some more. I have nothing against him personally, he was even in one of my classes, but he has been so bad in big games this year. The other Freshman guards except Capers have not done anything to impress. Capers has been O.K., but he really does not do much on offense.

The big men minus harmeling have been good.

by peaty411s on Jan 4, 2009 2:17 AM PST up reply actions

Dick and the quick hook

If I recall, Dick pulled players from the game when they made a mental error. A little time on the bench to think and regroup.

by CougarsRock on Jan 4, 2009 10:12 AM PST reply actions

Amen!

Sometimes you just need to “STOP! Step BACK!” and think about the conciqences of your actions.

Right Nuss?

by Jo-Jo on Jan 4, 2009 1:57 PM PST up reply actions

Indeed

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Jan 4, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions

"We're all mad about that classless little dunk play at the end."

I’m not at all mad about the dunk play, nor do I think it was classless. In normal situations, yes. But this is a team that’s lost to us, painfully, seven times in a row. I’m willing to give a little more license in that situation—much like our storming the field after an Apple Cup victory over a winless team. Plus, we were still fouling to stop the clock. If we’re going to needlessly extend the game, we can’t complain when the other team enjoys that extended time.

by Pman on Jan 4, 2009 2:37 PM PST reply actions