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Cougs had chance to learn at Legends
November 30, 2008
By HOWIE STALWICK
SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Prudential Center, a $375 million jewel that squats amid the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Newark, is proof that something good can emerge from despair.
Taylor Rochestie doesn't know much about despair. He grew up in a wealthy family in sun-kissed Santa Barbara, Calif. Last season, in his first year as Washington State's point guard, he helped guide the Cougars to a 26-9 record and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Perhaps it is fitting that Rochestie learned so much about hard times during a weekend spent in the Prudential Center. A senior floor leader known for his efficient play, Rochestie made 12 turnovers in two games at the Legends Classic, including eight in the championship game.
"If anyone has a lot to learn from this, it's me," Rochestie said after the Cougars fell to No. 4 Pittsburgh 57-43 Saturday night.
Washington State coach Tony Bennett brought his team 3,000 miles east to learn more about a roster that consists of battle-tested seniors and fresh-faced freshmen.
Naturally, Bennett figured the freshmen had the most to learn. It was Rochestie, however, who got schooled all weekend.
"Get your head in the game, Rochestie!" Bennett screamed at one point during Friday's victory over Mississippi State.
Rochestie, who made a living by feeding the ball to seniors Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver last winter, has 20 turnovers in six games. Last season, he had 59 turnovers in 35 games.
"It's a little harder, because there's no more Derrick and Kyle. Now he's our main guy," junior wing Nikola Koprivica said of Rochestie. "He needs to create for us and create for himself.
"We need to create for him a little more. We should get him some open shots so he doesn't need to work every time so hard to get his shots. He gets too hard on himself. He'll get over it."
So, too, will the 5-1 Cougars. They had reason to be encouraged about the loss to 7-0 Pitt, since they trailed the fourth-ranked team in the country by 3 at the half and by 6 with five minutes left despite shooting 35 percent from the floor.
Rochestie made just 4 of 23 shots (18 percent) in the two games in Newark.
"We're a young team still in the first few games," Koprivica said, "but I think if we can keep up with how we played in the first half -- with less turnovers -- we can play with anybody."
Seniors Rochestie, center Aron Baynes and forward Daven Harmeling have proven they can score in bunches on occasion. Freshman guard Klay Thompson made the all-tournament team after abusing Mississippi State for 19 points and 10 rebounds.
One night later, Pittsburgh defender extraordinaire Jermaine Dixon made Thompson disappear (7 points, all in the first eight minutes). That concerns Bennett with the Pac-10 season just a month away, since Thompson leads the Cougars with 12.5 points per game.
Idaho State should cure whatever ails Thompson and the Cougars. The Bengals (1-4) are the type of run-and-gun team that WSU tends to feast upon.
November 30, 2008
By HOWIE STALWICK
SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Prudential Center, a $375 million jewel that squats amid the rough-and-tumble streets of downtown Newark, is proof that something good can emerge from despair.
Taylor Rochestie doesn't know much about despair. He grew up in a wealthy family in sun-kissed Santa Barbara, Calif. Last season, in his first year as Washington State's point guard, he helped guide the Cougars to a 26-9 record and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Perhaps it is fitting that Rochestie learned so much about hard times during a weekend spent in the Prudential Center. A senior floor leader known for his efficient play, Rochestie made 12 turnovers in two games at the Legends Classic, including eight in the championship game.
"If anyone has a lot to learn from this, it's me," Rochestie said after the Cougars fell to No. 4 Pittsburgh 57-43 Saturday night.
Washington State coach Tony Bennett brought his team 3,000 miles east to learn more about a roster that consists of battle-tested seniors and fresh-faced freshmen.
Naturally, Bennett figured the freshmen had the most to learn. It was Rochestie, however, who got schooled all weekend.
"Get your head in the game, Rochestie!" Bennett screamed at one point during Friday's victory over Mississippi State.
Rochestie, who made a living by feeding the ball to seniors Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver last winter, has 20 turnovers in six games. Last season, he had 59 turnovers in 35 games.
"It's a little harder, because there's no more Derrick and Kyle. Now he's our main guy," junior wing Nikola Koprivica said of Rochestie. "He needs to create for us and create for himself.
"We need to create for him a little more. We should get him some open shots so he doesn't need to work every time so hard to get his shots. He gets too hard on himself. He'll get over it."
So, too, will the 5-1 Cougars. They had reason to be encouraged about the loss to 7-0 Pitt, since they trailed the fourth-ranked team in the country by 3 at the half and by 6 with five minutes left despite shooting 35 percent from the floor.
Rochestie made just 4 of 23 shots (18 percent) in the two games in Newark.
"We're a young team still in the first few games," Koprivica said, "but I think if we can keep up with how we played in the first half -- with less turnovers -- we can play with anybody."
Seniors Rochestie, center Aron Baynes and forward Daven Harmeling have proven they can score in bunches on occasion. Freshman guard Klay Thompson made the all-tournament team after abusing Mississippi State for 19 points and 10 rebounds.
One night later, Pittsburgh defender extraordinaire Jermaine Dixon made Thompson disappear (7 points, all in the first eight minutes). That concerns Bennett with the Pac-10 season just a month away, since Thompson leads the Cougars with 12.5 points per game.
Idaho State should cure whatever ails Thompson and the Cougars. The Bengals (1-4) are the type of run-and-gun team that WSU tends to feast upon.
