HOT COUGAR ACTION: Looking Ahead To Basketball Season
by Mark Sandritter on Oct 27, 2011 6:00 AM PDT
in 2011-2012 WSU Basketball News
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PrintAlthough football season is still in full swing, basketball season is quickly approaching. My expectations for the 2011 basketball season are low, but slowly rising thanks to posts like this from Jeff and practice reports like this from Vince Grippi.
Freshman DaVonte Lacy is going to contribute right away. He's physically capable and talented enough to help. … The thinned-down Reggie Moore is playing more like the freshman than the sophomore. … D.J. Shelton has work to do, but I understand he's not shy about putting in the time. That bodes well for the future. … You'll be surprised by Brock Motum this season. He's turned himself into a post presence.
Reggie Moore returning to form? Brock Motum a post presence? In terms of news out of the tenth day of practice, that is about best case scenario.
Switching sports for a day - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Oct. 26, 2011
COUGARS We've got a different type of blog post today. Really different, so read on.
Cougars cringing at recent criticism - Spokesman.com - Oct. 26, 2011
PULLMAN – Washington State’s football players returned to campus early Sunday morning after their 44-21 defeat in Seattle at the hands of Oregon State and morphed back into the student part of the NCAA’s preferred term, student/athlete.
This week's Pac-12 picks - Spokesman.com - Oct. 26, 2011
After last Thursday night’s Arizona win, we were on a 15-2 roll and getting a bit over-confident. Should have listened to that inner Hans Solo. You know, the voice that screams, "Great kid. Don’t get cocky." As always, the listed line is for your entertainment purposes only. All games Saturday.
WSU AD Bill Moos: No coaching change coming mid-season | Seattle PI Sports Blog - seattlepi.com
Those clamoring for the firing of Washington State Cougars football coach Paul Wulff are going to have to wait at least until the end of the season to see their desires fulfilled.
Klay Thompson is off to the NBA, but 3 starters return for Washington State this season - The Washington Post
PULLMAN, Wash. — Don’t go looking for superstars on this year’s Washington State basketball team, with Klay Thompson gone to the NBA and DeAngelo Casto off to play pro basketball in Turkey.
WSU's Kaufusi focused on family and team " Kitsap Sun
PULLMAN — Washington State linebacker Sekope Kaufusi grew up poor without a father in a crime-filled section of East Palo Alto, Calif. He became a father himself a few days before he turned 18 and graduated from high school.
How We Go: WSU can be had either way, so Ducks should run all over the Cougars - Addicted To Quack
Washington State isn't very good. Don't get me wrong, they're a tremendous improvement over the squads that the Cougars have fielded the last few seasons. But still not very good. Yes, the game in Pullman last season was close until the fourth quarter. But with this game being at Autzen and Jeff Tuel sitting on the bench, I don't really way for the Cougars to keep it close.
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The football players need to relax about the criticism they got this week.
The fans are like a parent disappointed in their child’s stupidity. Yeah, they messed up. Yeah, you better believe we’re pissed about it and rightfully so. But dammit, if we don’t keep loving the Cougs regardless. The same fans angry at them this week will love them forever if they pull off a miracle in Eugene on Saturday afternoon.
"If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep in."
Hyphen called out the fans last year too
kinda rings hollow this year.
Hoffman Ellis
If you have ever been anywhere close to the Cougar sideline, then you would see that nobody has anywhere near the passion that Alex has. I can understand why he feels frustrated because his senior season is slipping away and the criticism is insult to injury. For the past three years, I have been happy to see senior day come because you can rejoice on not having to seem certain players ever play another down in their life. I won’t feel that way about Alex. Its too bad that the never got to play on a good team.
by PullManiac on Oct 27, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Until this year, his play was a big part of the problem.
But I’m happy to see the improvement this year in his game. He’s been a stud. And the season isn’t over yet …
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 27, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
It's not just his senior season.
This is probably the end of his football career and it has nothing to do with his talent.
I can vouch for this.
Sat front row on the 45 at last year’s Apple Cup, right behind the players’ bench. Dude’s got a lot of fire, I wish I saw that from the rest of the defense.
What happend to Mizell's fire?
Last year he was hitting people out of bounds and getting all fired up. I don’t see as much fire from him this year.
Clear eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Brian can probably answer this better
But it seems as if he’s trying to find that line between impactful madman and out of control madman. Burfict is going through the same thing.
Or he is trying to understand offenses better (film study) which is making him think to much on the field
as well as working on a lot of technique. These things might take a while until they become habit. Once he gets those things down, he will be a beast next year. He isn’t playing on instinct like he was last year when he wasn’t trying or paying attention in practice. Last year all he wanted to do was come in games and hit people. I also agree with you on the Burfict theory.
Clear eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
This made me think of Aaron Curry
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
Do not be sad, and embarrassed...
by well you win some and lose others on Oct 27, 2011 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I just have a hard time wrapping my head around this
The players should no longer be allowed to talk to the media. First they ran their mouths off at Oregon State, and now they are running their mouths at the fans.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I can't agree with that...
if the fans can run their mouth at the players and coaches (which we certainly can do), why can’t it be the other way around?
Whether we agree with them or not, they have just as much right to tell us we are blithering idiots as we have to tell them they suck. I think it’s fair for fans to criticize the program (when that criticism is justified, as it is now), just as it’s fair for the players and coaches to criticize the fans and/or tell us to shove it.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Oct 27, 2011 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Insulting your customers
always a good strategy. Hats off to you, sir.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Meh
I’m with Matt on this one. Plus, I don’t think they said anything all that bad. They were honest about how it made them feel. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 27, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Let me ask you this
If this article was about the Huskies, or the Ducks, or some other team that we play, what would your reaction be?
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Never said it was a good strategy.
I wrote they have the right to do it. You wrote they should not be allowed to talk to the media. I disagree with that.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Oct 27, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
They haven't demonstrated good judgement when talking to the press
If I’m the coach, I take that right away from them. But I guess that is just me.
Then again, attitude often reflects leadership.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Glad someone caught that
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions
And here is what we all win!
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Wow, no love for Hayden?
I am disappointed in all you.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 28, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Just because you are a giant
does not make her a midget!
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 28, 2011 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Honesty, I could care less about what they say to the press.
That’s just my take.
They got their butts kicked by OSU because they played like garbage, not because of any pre-game quote.
"A bad day at the track is better than a good day at the office."
And Down The Stretch They Come | @PressThePace
by Matt Gardner on Oct 27, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
get your could/couldn't care less straight.
C’mon son
by Blackie1829 on Oct 27, 2011 10:42 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
maybe he could care less
nothing wrong with that.
by newportcoug on Oct 27, 2011 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions
then his comment makes no sense
by Blackie1829 on Oct 27, 2011 11:33 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I think you should use the word "often" lightly.
I have a played for a lot of great coaches that preached this stuff, but you are always going to have people who speak their mind. That is just life. “Attitude often reflect leadership” is a very broad statement (and I know if is from a movie). I see where you are coming from and I agree with you to an extent, but it is hard to do that now days. The only way to shut people up in America is to fine them and that doesn’t always work. In this day in age with email, facebook, twitter and such, it is impossible to monitor this stuff. I don’t care who you are as a coach. It is impossible to play big brother to 80+ athletes. Also the players hear more and see more criticism than ever. This isn’t the 70s. I know most of the people on here wouldn’t want to here this crap at their job. I was watching ESPN the other day and Merrill Hodge was just ripping Tebow, a kid who works his a** off. I don’t care how much money you make it still sucks to get criticized by outside sources. Could you imagine sitting at home and hearing people just berate you while you are giving your best effort? Some people are just going to fight back, because they have that fire in them. If you are judging players or sports this way, then I guess all the Steelers have bad judgement and Tomlin is a bad coach.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
by SoCalCoug on Oct 27, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's on the Sports Information Director
They work with the players to prepare for the interview process.
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
I read the thing about Motum last night
I’m not sure how to take it. It’s encouraging that he looks like a post, but he’s practicing against other poor post play. I hope he’s in there banging against Abe, Simon, Charley and Sequele but none of those guys are really elit Pac 12 posts, so I’m hesitant to view this as too much of a sign that our post issues are solved.
And Reggie might be the only player where you hear “he looks more like his freshman than sophomore self” and think AWESOME!
True
But they are quality posts coming into the season, and are acknowledged as such based of previous performance and not preseason hype.
Motum is not a quality post against Pac 12 competition, and I will believe he has turned a corner when he faces real posts.
I'm going to remind you of that in the next two months
When they have lost to one of the bad teams in the nonconference slate. :-)
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 27, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I have trouble feeling sorry for Wulff
when he uses the following logic to try and play down what happened on Saturday:
"Let’s look at this," said coach Paul Wulff this week. "People are upset that we lost because people expected us to win. That’s been a long time coming, right?
"Why are they expecting us to win? Because we’ve played a lot better football and won some games and they’re getting excited about what’s going on."
Fans being upset that you got blown out by a subpar thing isn’t something you should be bragging about. Especially when those same fans are questioning whether or not you have been playing “better football” or just bad teams.
Yeah that bothered me too
How are we supposed to take that quote? Oh sorry Coach, I didn’t mean to have realistic expectations. Next time, I’ll just assume we get blown out. Should we be rejoicing just because we’re no longer THE worst team in college football, simply one of the worst?
Way to set the bar high, Paul.
by Kyle Rancourt on Oct 27, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
This is a serious load of BS
This spin made political commentators blush.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
So you're saying when Wulff updates his resume in oh six weeks, he should add "political training" under special skills?
by Mark Sandritter on Oct 27, 2011 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he should apply
for a job as a copy writer on the Bill O’Reilly/Keith Olbermann show (pick your poison, spin knows no political lines)
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess I am spoiled fan
……but I thought since they beat two one win football teams, they could beat another.
by PullManiac on Oct 27, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's just trying to show that it's progress
Since ultimately progress is what’s going to save or not save his job.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 27, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I understand this
But I personally find his statement insulting. I (like most others on this site) have invested time, money, and emotion into this team. I may not have been the most vocal person, but I’ve always back Wulff, and to take this stance kind of throws it in the fans faces in my opinion. I feel like it completely undermines the fans opinions and reactions.
I asked Nusser and BigWood about individual players on the other thread
but it’s kind of getting buried now. I shall open this up to the public.
I don’t really have a ton of WSU basketball history. I am curious, from an individual player standpoint, who are the Top 10 we’ve ever had? I just want to see where guys like Weaver, Kelati, and Mark Hendrickson wind up (if in the Top 10 at all).
My number 1 with a bullet is J Locklier.
This is in no particular order
Fontaine
Hedrickson
Weaver
Low
Thompson
Baynes
Kelati
Rochestie (in the time he was here)
Ehlo
Collins (I never saw him play, but he always gets a lot of hype)
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
my off-the-head top 10 and i'm sure i'm missing several
1.) Don Collins
2.) Guy Williams
3.) James Donaldson
4.) Klay Thompson
5.) Craig Ehlo
6.) Kyle Weaver
7.) Tony Harris
8.) Terry Kelly
9.) Isaac Fontaine
10.) Steve Harriel/Mark Hendrickson/Carlos Daniel
I would put some of the newer-school players like Low, Marcus Moore, Kelati, Baynes along with Ricky Brown and Brian Pollard in the next 10. I think some people have no clue how good Raveling’s teams were. You always hear Coug fans talk about how WSU needs to play a certain style in order to win in the Pac-10 with subpar athletes. If the internet were around in the early 80s, none of us would have pants on, because his recruiting classes were among the best on the west coast year in and year out. WSU didn’t need a certain style to beat better players because they actually HAD the better players.
I loved watching Marcus Moore play
only reason to go to Beasley during Grahamball other than make fun of Steve Lavin.
I think he’s the best PG to play at WSU since Tony Harris. I love Rochestie, but Marcus deserved to play on teams that weren’t pure garbage.
Agreed
And correct me if I am wrong, but didn’t he lead the Pac 10 in scoring as a junior?
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Marcus Moore was one of the first players I noticed because he was huge.
I was in love with NBADraft.net, and they had Moore being a late first rounder/early second rounder in some early mock drafts. He also went to the same school as Tyson Chandler, for whatever that’s worth. But I was just in awe at a 6’6 PG.
by Kyle Rancourt on Oct 27, 2011 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Flattest jumper I have ever seen!
And a pretty amazing M&M’s nascar jacket
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
Does Josh Akognon make the list if he doesn't transfer?
The kid could light it up. I think he was one of the nation’s leaders in scoring his senior year at CSUF. He was one of the quickest guys we have seen at WSU in a while.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
No
Akognon = 2005’s Faisal Aden.
Fine: Akognon was a better version of Faisal Aden
both of them took a crapton of ill-advised shots and led the league in WHYTHEHELLISHETAKINGTHATSHO….HOLYCRAPHOWDIDTHATGOIN
I know you are kind of joking
but Akognon was much quicker and better at creating his own shot.
Aden has never done this:
An ankle injury to starter Derrick Low forced Akognon to play more, and he responded by scoring 27 points, including the game-winning three-pointer and clinching free throws, in a 78-71 upset of Brandon Roy-led Washington. Akognon earned Pac-10 player of the week honors and followed that game with 25 points against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion; most of the points came against Arron Afflalo.Junior Year:
Akognon averaged 20.2 points a game and scored in double figures 28 of 31 games, making at least one three-pointer in all but two games, at least four three-pointers in 18 of 31 games and reaching 20 points in 17 of 31 games. Josh also reached the 30-point mark five times, including a 31-point effort in the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin. Despite an injury to his shooting hand suffered against UC-Davis, Akognon shot just under 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free throw line. Josh made 116 three pointers and 107 free throws, a 100-100 combination matched by only seven players. Akognon also doubled his career-high in steals and reached 1,000 points for his college career.Senior Year:
While from a team standpoint the Titans failed to match their 2007-08 success, Akognon performed brilliantly in the face of countless, hounding defenses designed to slow him down. Josh was named the 2008-09 Big West Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year, averaging 23.9 points per game, good for 8th in the nation. Akognon broke the single season scoring record of former Titan and U.S. Olympian Leon Wood with 764 points, finished seventh overall in Titan history with 1,411 points and established a two year scoring record for his exploits. Josh was also named to the NABC All-District 9 First Team, the only Big West player named to the team this year. Once again Akognon reached the 100-100 mark with 136 three-pointers (2nd best in the nation per game) and 132 free throws (8th best in the nation with 89.2% FT percentage). Only six other players achieved that 100-100 combination.I would say he had a decent college career. I would have liked having him.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
to add: I'm sure he was much better at Fullerton than he was as a Sophomore at WSU
he wasn’t a shot creator at WSU. He was a Black Hole who camped out behind the arc.
That black hole won a few game for us.
Aden not so much.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
he played very well against UW in Hec Ed
During the UW game in Pullman, he was yanked from the game for taking too many “circus shots” (Dick’s phrase, not mine) and WSU came back to win in the 2nd half, where he only had 3 points.
I’m not sure he won more than 1 game for us. But yes, that’s probably one more than Faze.
I will agree
Akognon is one of the biggest gunners I have ever seen, which is opposite of Bennett Ball. I just watched one of his youtube highlights from CSUF and he never met a shot he didn’t like.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
Remember this rebound and 3.
Man I hope Aden can do this, this season.
http://youtu.be/mFRRYcJCkm0
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
Good news!
Here’s Akognon’s four years, all right next to each other. He was amazing as a junior, and then merely really damn good as a senior:
I didn't say he would be on the list. I was asking if he would make it.
If he did what he did at Fullerton, would you add him? I would not compare him to Aden, because Aden hasn’t done anything like Akognon except for the occasional ill advised shot and I think Aden takes more of them. I was also just saying I would have liked having him.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
maybe
how many minutes does he get and where does he fit in on Tony’s first two teams?
Bench
Akognon pretty much refused to defend hard. I don’t think he ultimately would have played ahead of Rotchestie or Koprivca before his injury. Evevn Akognon admitted he should have listened to Dick a lot more than he did.
Where does he fit with Rotchestie, Weaver, and Low? Instant offense off the bench similar to Chris Matthews.
You are right his style did not fit the Bennett system.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
Which is funny because he was recruited by him.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
You guys are completely glossing over the importance of windmill slams.
Advantage: Aden.
CougCenter In Reid We Trust, Twitter!
by Craig Powers on Oct 27, 2011 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
correction:
Advantage, Neil Derrick
by Blackie1829 on Oct 27, 2011 10:49 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
good set
1) Don Collins
2) Steve Puidokis
3) Craig Ehlo
4) Klay Thompsen
5) Kyle Weaver
6) Guy Williams (magic johnson like hybrid- tragic injury)
7) Mark Hendrickson
8) James Donaldson
9) Ike Fountaine
10) Terry Kelly/Tony Harris/Stu House
You gotta check out POOOOOOOOOOOD as Coug fans used to roar:
http://washingtonstate.scout.com/2/566202.html
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
by hollyweirdcoug on Oct 27, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah, Puidokis should've been on my list
i knew I’d forget a couple.
he's probably somewhere between 15 and 25
in my humble opinion.
I would only venture to rank the guys from my era, which begins in 1995.
And I’m also a bit uncomfortable, because I don’t have stats for most of these guys to see if their actual ability matches up with my memory. But here goes.
1. Klay Thompson
2. Mark Hendrickson
3. Isaac Fontaine
4. Kyle Weaver
5. Taylor Rochestie
6. Aron Baynes
7. Derrick Low
8. Thomas Kelati
9. Carlos Daniel
10. Blake Pengelly
you put 10 on there to specifically piss me off
guess what: it worked.
Just for you, big boy.
Honestly? I couldn’t think of 10. I guess I could have put Marcus Moore on there. I almost put Chris Crosby on there — he was my “Blake Pengelly.”
Why do you hate
filling your prereq schedules with an A?
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 27, 2011 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Honors College + AP Credit = No geology
#humblebrag
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 27, 2011 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
What was humble about that
WHERES YOUR HONORS COLLEGE NOW?!?!!!?
CHECK OUT THE BIG BRAIN ON JEFF
Jared Karstetter scoffs at your academic achievement.
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Oct 28, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Is it me or have we been hearing a lot of good reports about DeVonte Lacy.
These are the most positive reports I have heard about a freshman in a while. In the last 10 years the freshman I heard good reports from (once they were in the practice building) were Reggie, Klay and Casto. I remember a little about Abercrombie in practice, that he could jump out of the gym and was really athletic, but it never really translated to the real game.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
Mini - Jeff Varem?
who can shoot? OK, I probably like comparison points too much.
I’m excited to see what Lacy can do. He had a rough championship game where GUs walk-on really played a little better than Lacy. He definiely passes the eye test as a 2-guard or OLB! The few times I have seen him play I think he needed to tighten up his offensive game (shooting, handles) but he’s definitely interesting.
I’m happy about the reports but still cautious in year 1.
Make sense for a freshman
I’ll always remember Bennett’s comment on Weaver not being able to guard a chair as a freshman.
I think the potential is there for him to become very good on that end but he’s young. I was a little surprise to see Bone say he is a potential starter. I’m hoping to just get quality minutes off the bench from him.
I've told anyone who will listen that I'm as excited about Lacy
As any recruit we’ve gotten in the last decade. I think he’s going to be very, very good.
When it was announced
When it was announced Lacy committed and I read about him I scratched my head. Then I found some video and wondered how this kid somewhat slipped through the cracks? Later I saw some ealier film and it made a little sense.
I see Lacy and Johnson complimenting each other pretty well 2 or 3 years down the line. Still a lot of work to do upfront though.
Abercrombie played really well for New Zealand at the 2010 worlds
I think he would have been good player if he stuck around.
We will call him Zatara.....sounds fearsome....It means driftwood.
Since I have been frustrated with football lately
I have been watching a lot of clips of this.
http://youtu.be/aLxP-yzphE0
Lifts your spirits.
I cook with beer, sometimes I even add it to the food
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