Hot Cougar Action: Brock Motum No. 76 on preseason top 100

While the majority of attention is still firmly on football, college basketball season is quickly approaching. The best evidence of that is the release of several preseason lists. CBS Sports released their preseason list of the top 100 players from around the country and WSU forward Brock Motum checked in at No. 76.

My initial reaction is that ranking is significantly too low. Even with some bias towards Motum, I don't think there is anyway you can find 75 players more productive than Motum. On this list, there are six Pac-12 players ahead of Motum. He's also ranked behind 11 incoming freshman.

It appears perceived potential is valued much more than proven production. Take Wayne Blackshear for example. Blackshear was a highly touted recruit but averaged just 2.5 points per game in 15 games as a freshman last season while battling injuries. So where did all of that land Blackshear? No. 47. The guy can't even drink milk and he's 29 spots ahead of Motum!

Wayne keeps getting stomach viruses, mostly from drinking milk. They keep telling him to stop and he keeps drinking it and getting sick. We've put a "missing in action" picture of Wayne to show the players because he's been away so much.

Football

Cougars Host California Saturday Night at Martin Stadium - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WASHINGTON STATE HOSTS CALIFORNIA SATURDAY NIGHT: Washington State University plays host to the University of California Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.

At 2-4, Cougars still thinking bowl - Spokesman.com - Oct. 8, 2012
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Deone Bucannon said it as if it were a certainty. Can Washington State, owner of a 2-4 record midway through the season, still make it to a bowl game?

Halliday's the guy, and Leach riffs . . . | Pac-12 Confidential | The Seattle Times
Just listened to Washington State's weekly press teleconference, and Mike Leach affirmed Connor Halliday as his starting quarterback. That's a little surprising -- not the choice of Halliday, but the fact Leach declared the choice early rather avail himself of the chance to keep a veil over the Halliday-Jeff Tuel competition.

Washington State coach Mike Leach calls for performance ahead of pats on the back | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
Connor Halliday is retaining his starting job as the Washington State quarterback for the game Saturday night in Pullman against California, coach Mike Leach confirmed Monday.

Leach hands ball back to Halliday - Spokesman.com - Oct. 9, 2012
PULLMAN – Mike Leach wasted no time establishing his starting quarterback for the week. And perhaps for the rest of this football season.

California at WSU - Spokesman.com - Oct. 9, 2012
What it means for WSU: Midway through the season, this might be the Cougars’ most winnable remaining game. Cal is one of two teams left on WSU’s schedule currently in possession of a losing record – the other is Utah – and the Bears hadn’t played well leading up to their big win over UCLA.

Leach: Lose losing attitude | WSU Cougars - The News Tribune
PULLMAN – Mike Leach is not accustomed to losing, but he says too many Washington State seniors have grown to accept defeat and provide little leadership.

Mike Leach: Some Cougars seniors are like 'empty corpses' - SB Nation Seattle
Washington State Cougars coach Mike Leach had some harsh words for his seniors on Monday, comparing them to zombies instead of football players.

WSU depth chart notes and Mike Leach quotes - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Oct. 8, 2012
As is customary on Mondays, WSU coach Mike Leach met with reporters for about 19 minutes to discuss last week's game, this week's game, bobblehead dolls and players with "empty corpse" qualities about them. Read on for a transcript, video and some notes on this week's depth chart.