WSU Vs. Idaho: Reggie Moore Hits Game-Winner As Cougs Escape, 66-64

The Cowan Spectrum everybody:

Jason Gesser was in the house.

I walked up to him and shook his hand, said “Go Cougs” and backed up as the guy with the flag had him sign it and his visor.
It was cool

The only encouraging thing was seeing Reggie step it up in the final8-9 minutes of the game. That is the only reason why we came out with a W. We need 39+ minutes like that from Reggie. Also I think Patrick Simon is making a case for more minutes and I think Davonte Lacy needs to settle down.

Enquist had 8 rebounds- and DJ had 7 points in a mere 11 minutes. Capers had 8 points and 7 rebounds and 2 blocks…

With so many guys out, it is nice to carve out a win on a night when the treys were clanking.

I do believe for this team to succeed, it needs Faisal to score from the perimeter. Yet his tendency to take the role of a #1 threat the second he hits the floor is detrimental. For one, I think his 3pt shooting is not the best facet of his game despite his tendency to take quite a few attempts, even off the dribble, which I see as a recipe for poor percentages unless you’re an great talent.

I’d like to see Faisal pass up on the perimeter more often, use his reputation as a chucker to draw defenses and get the opposition working. Building on this I think he needs to utilize his diminutive stature and quicks to work and find the open spot up, not just outside the arc, but mid range looks as well. Where bigger, more talented, athletic guards in Pac-12 play clearly have given him fits, I’d like to see him try and negate this effects by squeezing through tight screens and forcing the bigger opponent to either fight through a small space or take the long route.

I need to pay the $19.99 for full KenPom access, because I’d like to take a look at his advanced statistics. The issues with Faisal remind me of Ray Allen’s last few seasons in Seattle, where I recall fans speculating he was close to a precipitous decline because he appeared to rarely take it tp the basket or find the close range shot. That’s obviously where the similarity ends- Ray found himself on a team that actually had a consistent inside presence where he could make the most of his Hall of Fame touch, ending the “needs to get to the basket” crap. However Faisal clearly needs to reduce reliance on 3pt attempts to get his. When Faisal gets in that 12-15 foot range (think baseline jimmy) I feel like he’s pretty efficient (obviously this is where I need KenPom…evidence>conjecture).

I imagine after the game, the Cougs locker room is like that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry has to break it to George after a basketball game that he’s a “chucker.” George clearly becomes incredulous to the possibility of earning such a distinction, bordering on paranoid denial. In this situation, Faisal is George and Jerry can be…hmmm…Moore (’cause crap, who else?). And Kramer is Motum (duh).

Also, less Simon. Scratch that, no Simon. I just don’t care who else. He is no where close to a Pac-12 talent. I’d even take more Enquist (who ironically had to transfer in HS because he couldn’t get playing time behind former Coug DE Casey Hamlett and former Idaho WR, and Steelers camp invitee, Eric Greenwood) because this team can rebound worth a darn. I find myself terrified that Enquist is one of our better rebounders and even without Reeves Nelson, I am petrified at the possibility of Josh Smith collecting Every. Single. Rebound. when we play UCLA.