Washington State Cougars
2012-2013 Overall Rank: #122
Conference Rank: #9 Pac-12
Washington State Team Page
Washington State made a nice run in the CBI, eventually losing in the three game series finale to Pittsburgh. But that has built some momentum in Pullman. However, Coach Ken Bone does have some rebuilding to do. Arguably the team’s best three players return, led by point guard Reggie Moore, so there is plenty to build around. Moore led the Pac-12 with 5.2 assists per game last season and has developed into a very dangerous point guard. Not only can he find his teammates and keep the turnovers down, but he is a pretty good scorer as well. Moore is not a great shooter, but he is good enough to keep the opposition honest. Most of his scoring happens around the basket and he also has a nice mid-range jumper that he can almost create at will due to his quickness.
2011-12 Record: 19-18, 7-11
2011-12 Postseason: CBI
Coach: Ken Bone
Coach Record: 57-46 at Washington State, 134-95 overall
Who’s Out:
Despite the return of some of the star players at WSU, a whole slew of role-players are gone. Marcus Capers was the only player to start all 37 games last season and the Cougars will definitely miss the big wing. He was never a big scorer, but Capers did a lot of work on the glass and was a very versatile and tough perimeter defender. Faisal Aden, who only played in 17 games in 2011-2012 was a big scoring threat and Washington State still needs to find somebody who can fill that role, especially off of the bench. The losses on the perimeter continue with part-time starter Abe Lodwick. Lodwick connected on an amazing 46.2 percent of his attempts from long range and had the size to help out on the glass. Charlie Enquist did the dirty work under the basket. He would not block too many shots, but he was a fine rebounder and the biggest defensive presence in the paint that the Cougars had last season.
Who’s In:
Coach Bone loaded up on wings in this class. The most notable is Royce Woolridge, a transfer from Kansas. Woolridge barely saw the court during his one season in Lawrence, but the 6-3 slasher is a pure scorer and will get the opportunity at Washington State that he never got at Kansas. Junior college transfer Keaton Hayenga should compete for quality minutes as well. Que Johnson is the most highly touted of the freshmen. The 6-5 shooting guard has already added some strength and he will be given every opportunity to compete for minutes, or even a starting job at small forward. Redshirt freshman Dominic Ballard joins freshmen Bryce Leavitt and Brett Boese as newcomers who will add even more depth on the wings. The other need for this team is big men. Richard Longrus may need a little time to add strength and develop his game, but junior college transfer James Hunter will be expected to contribute right away. At 6-9 and 250 pounds, the sophomore has plenty of size.
Who to Watch:
DaVonte Lacy and Brock Motum will form the core of Washington State along with Moore. Lacy will have a lot of pressure on him to replace some of the outside shooting that was lost with Lodwick and Aden. However, Lacy proved to be a fine shooter during his freshman campaign, connecting on 34.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. Lacy, at 6-3 and 206 pounds, does have enough size to attack the basket, but he spent most of last season hanging out beyond the arc. If he is to turn into the big perimeter scorer this team needs, Lacy will have to use that size and strength to get to the basket on a more consistent basis. Motum plays like a guard, but he is a 6-10 power forward. He can battle in the paint with just about anybody and can even stretch out the defense with his ability to knock down the long ball. Motum will open up the offense and Moore will create opportunities for his teammates, but the rest of the team has to knock down shots if Washington State wants to move up into the middle of the pack in the Pac-12 pecking order.
Final Projection:
Mike Ladd is one option to create a spark off of the bench with his shooting ability, but the more intriguing player right now is D.J. Shelton. The 6-10 junior was relegated to the bench last season, but he could be the player Coach Bone needs in the post to replace Enquist. Shelton may not be the strongest player around and that is a concern on the glass, but he is a pretty good athlete and not a bad shot blocker. If the newcomers are not ready to contribute major minutes right away, Shelton better be ready to man the five spot. He does not have to score; Washington State just needs somebody to play some defense and be enough of a scoring threat to create space for Motum, Moore and Lacy to do what they do best. If that happens, the Cougars could end up in a better postseason tournament this time around.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Reggie Moore, Senior, Guard, 10.2 points per game
DaVonte Lacy, Sophomore, Guard, 8.5 points per game
Royce Woolridge, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Brock Motum, Senior, Forward, 18.0 points per game
D.J. Shelton, Junior, Forward, 4.7 points per game
Madness 2012 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#102 Demarquise Johnson
