The game is a week away. Basketball season is on its way!! :thumb:
oldrunner said:Two days!
Most years I would have already given up on football and looking forward to basketball. This year has a little different feel to it. Football is beginning to win and last years basketball was such a downer. However, this year, once again, has a totally different feel to it. In fact, all of athletics at WSU seems to have a new spring in its step. I fully expect basketball to return to its normal operations. I think that the fans are going to like the product on the floor. So far, we are undefeated.![]()
oldrunner said:Two days!
Most years I would have already given up on football and looking forward to basketball. This year has a little different feel to it. Football is beginning to win and last years basketball was such a downer. However, this year, once again, has a totally different feel to it. In fact, all of athletics at WSU seems to have a new spring in its step. I fully expect basketball to return to its normal operations. I think that the fans are going to like the product on the floor. So far, we are undefeated.![]()
wazzuwildcat03 said:This was probably the most boring Purple and White game I have been too, but its all good. Still fun to get out and see the team.
wazzuwildcat03 said:This was probably the most boring Purple and White game I have been too, but its all good. Still fun to get out and see the team.
...
The only observations worth noting to me were: Bolomboy and Senglin are really really good. Baker is going to be that glue guy we really missed last year. Cannon I thought was the best looking of all the Freshman. No way he Redshirts. He does need to get a tan though. YIKES, I thought I was white. Maybe its an Idaho thing. haha.
Starting 5
1. Senglin
2. Richardson
3. Gittens
4. Bolomboy
5. Braxton
First 3 off the bench
1. Hill
2. Baker
3. Cannon
Will play a little here and there
1. Starvev
2. Jefferson
3. John
Redshirts
1. Williams
2. Dallas.
talhadfoursteals said:I was somewhat taken back by the sparse crowd in attendance at the festivities last night. That has got to be the worst attended P&W game since Rahe took over as coach. Wow...the Dee was empty. I guess that is something this team can get use to playing in front of; especially when you have the likes of Multnomah University visiting. I really hope not, but it isn't looking good. If the department had any sense...I would start advertising for the USU game now. Something about meeting the Aggies on Friday the 13th! but, the best we can hope for are a bunch of signs on campus that don't really explain anything other than "FOOTBALL FREE." What do those even mean? There isn't any information on those signs that would tell students what is actually free, where you can get the free thing, and when. Terrible...
Anyway, as for the game.
NEWBS: Gotta be nice
I was very impressed with Dusty Baker. I thought he brought something to the floor that was missing last season; maturity and toughness. He isn't flashy, but just plays the game. He is a basketball player. To me, he was the biggest shock.
Kiko missed a lot of shots because he kept falling away instead of going straight up. But he looks like he is going to end up being a better than advertised player. His defense is soft, but he is young and will come into his own. Out of him and Dallas, I feel that he is more prepared to go right now.
Dallas has a lot of potential. He is going to be a beast and is definitely 7', but needs time to grow into his body. But one can see his skill level is high. I really feel a red shirt would do him a lot of good for him as he develops. He could end up being a very special athlete in the future. Give him time!
John looked a little overwhelmed at times, but is talented. I think him missing Summer Rat Ball kinda put him behind a bit. We really didn't get a chance to see much of his skills since he was being moved from the 1 to the 2 all night.
Cannon...two seasons ago, I had a chance to talk to Chad Leckington about McKay. Leckington told me that McKay never stops. He is a hard-nosed guy who takes no prisoners. It kinda made me smirk at the moment. After watching last night, I understand now. He is a true point guard, who plays solid defense, and is a team first guy. He made some great passes last night and would have executed a sweet pick and roll if the team he was playing against weren't his teammates. I liked him the most out of the new guys.
Jefferson is extremely talented and can really run the floor, but made a couple of bad plays in transition. I'm really glad he is a Wildcat though.
Braxton...he was playing against Bolomboy all night. He won't face another player this season with the freaky athleticism of Joel Bolomboy. Having to play against Joel is going to make him a lot better. Even still, he looked good. He is our starting Center.
Juwan didn't see the floor which tells me, he isn't ready to play due to his injury. During warm ups you could see one of the biggest reasons why we wanted him; his length. He has long arms and he is strong. Both major pluses for him going forward.
Returnees: Gonna thrown down
Richardson...I'll be honest. I was not impressed with Ryan last night. He looked out of place and was doing things that he did last year. He has to improve his decision making skills and his passing. Also, they tried, I think three times, having him shoot off the curl and it was ugly. He looked cocky and out-of-control. To me, he is not a starter right now, but is the player with the most to gain from hard work. His upside is enormous.
Bolomboy...GET YOUR ASS IN THE MIDDLE. Stop taking fad away 15' footers. You are too damn skilled and talented to take the easy approach. He is a beast in the paint and yes, I know he can stretch the floor, but that is a last case scenario. He is a rebounding machine and our best chance for second chance points. He must be closer to the basket to get those opportunities. After grabbing an offensive rebound, Who the HELL can stop him?? Those are easy points for Joel. Next, he has to get tougher. He has put on some serious muscle and looked like a Greek statue, but was soft. He can get away with some of his soft antics in an intra-squad game, but he won't be able to against other teams. Next, he is still having a hard time passing out of a double-team. The coaches need to attack him constantly with that. He needs to become a better passer. He has come a long way, but can still develop soooo much more. To bad we don't have a bigs coach.
Senglin...he is Jeremy and was awesome! He got a bit flustered because Cannon was guarding him well. But did a good job of teaching McKay about DI refs and what you can and cannot get away with. It was fun to watch him. HE IS OUR LEADER!!
Gittens...he did what he always does. He is our best defender and he can keep opposing defenses honest. But he can't disappear like he did last night. He has serious speed.
Hill, Kyndahl was the biggest surprise out of everyone last night. He looks taller, stronger, and more focused. He is a 4 with the speed of a 3. Even though the 3 experiment didn't pan out last year, it definitely helped him speed up his game and become a better passer and ball handler. He and Baker have great chemistry and found each other time and again last night. It was fun to watch. He still needs to get tougher, but I can see why he can play the 5 if needed. He is our strongest player.
WSUfan4ever said:I worry a little about a comparison you make here. ALL last year we were soft in the middle. It never got significantly better and Joel did not look much (if at all) improved in this regard in the P/W game. Then to say that Braxton will not play anyone as tough seems a little strange. We made other teams post players look better than they deserved last year. I hope this won't be a repeat performance. This team needs an attitude and an enforcer to improve on last year, and I don't see it yet. I hope I am wrong.
WSUfan4ever said:I worry a little about a comparison you make here. ALL last year we were soft in the middle. It never got significantly better and Joel did not look much (if at all) improved in this regard in the P/W game. Then to say that Braxton will not play anyone as tough seems a little strange. We made other teams post players look better than they deserved last year. I hope this won't be a repeat performance. This team needs an attitude and an enforcer to improve on last year, and I don't see it yet. I hope I am wrong.