WSU VS. IDAHO RECAP: Klay Thompson, Faisal Aden Shine

by Craig Powers on Nov 16, 2010 9:51 PM PST

2-0! Hooray!

Some quick notes before I go to bed:

Faisal Aden is still awesome. He went 10-16 from the field and led the Cougs with 26 points. He scored in a variety of ways, hitting stand-still threes, rising off the bounce in the mid-range, and getting a few breakaway dunks off steals. Apparently he can windmill dunk, which is fantastic.
Klay Thompson had 9 assists. Last season, he seemed to be a black hole at times. Hopefully these early season assist totals are an indication of his offensive maturity. He can still score, too, as he had 23 points.
The Cougar defense was successful when they were forcing Idaho into turnovers. That is exactly the type of attacking style we expect from Bone.
When the defense wasn't forcing turnovers, Idaho didn't have a whole lot of trouble scoring, posting an eFG% of 53.8.
I hate Jeff Ledbetter and I'm glad we never have to see him again. 18 points on six threes. The guy is a microwave.
Fouling was a problem for WSU. Idaho bested the Cougs in free throw rate. That, combined with the three point shooting, kept them in the game into the second half.
The decisive Cougar run came during a four-minute stretch in the second half when Idaho was only able to get off one field goal attempt. Doesn't get much better than that.
We have shooters this year. Along with Aden, freshman Patrick Simon was also able to knock down jumpers. He finished with his a 12 point effort. The first of what should be many double-digit game in his Cougar career.
It sounded like Dre Winston was more comfortable out there today. On the offensive end he did post his first bucket as a Coug and dish out two assists. He still struggled on the defensive side, and racked up fouls because of it.
Idaho beat the Cougs on the glass, posting a 77.8 DR% to WSU's 66.7. After a strong performance in the first game, it looks like rebounding is still an area of concern.

In the end, this sounded like it was a pretty exciting game for the fans who attended, complete with a lot of fast breaks, high-flying dunks, and long threes. Like last year, WSU jumped out to a big lead (17-2) but Idaho was able to shoot themselves back into the game, cutting the lead down to two early in the second half. Fortunately, WSU was able to pull away and secure the 88-71 victory.

Grady will be along shortly with the charts and to hand out awards.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Glad the Cougs got a win while I was at practice.

I’m coaching BBall this winter which is a change for me and will really cut into my favorite pasttime of watching/listening to the Cougs. But as long as I get home to find that we won then all is well.

by 02Coug on Nov 16, 2010 9:56 PM PST reply actions

Amen.

That is the actual important part. The shooting will come around. Those 2’s are what are going to make him a potent scorer.

CougCenter | SB Nation Seattle | @NussCoug

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 17, 2010 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

I don't get the microwave reference

by evanr on Nov 16, 2010 10:41 PM PST reply actions

Heats up instantly off the bench

CougCenter | SB Nation Seattle | @NussCoug

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 16, 2010 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

Nice

by evanr on Nov 16, 2010 11:28 PM PST up reply actions

I see a resemblance.

by Coug Friendly Canuck on Nov 17, 2010 9:30 AM PST up reply actions

Really excited to see where we are with Reggie at the point.

When he is on he is an absolute game changer, and I am shaking with anticipation for the first time I see Reggie, Aden, Klay, Simon and Motum on the floor at the same time. All 3’s, all the time! Except when Reggie takes it to the hole.

I think Capers is going to continue to rebound at a high clip. Cape has bounce like nobody’s business, if he’s focused on rebounds (read somewhere that Bone told him to look to board more?) he can go get it. Offensive skills aside, he is the best athlete on the team.

At the Southern game, nobody came out with Motum to the three point line, and when he pulled the trigger they fell. When he starts drawing a big out there with him, this offense is really going to open up.

Defense be damned, when Reggie is back we’re gonna score 100 a game.

by Fightfightfight on Nov 16, 2010 10:45 PM PST reply actions