Questions or comments? Please direct them to Jessica Schmick, Assistant Director, Athletic Media Relations, Washington State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, at jessica_schmick@wsu.edu.
Friday, Oct. 31 (7:30 p.m.) - Reposted Saturday, Nov. 1 (10:05 a.m.)
My apologies Coug Fans!
I thought I had posted our Freshman Friday post last night, but apparently Mike and I were trying to post at the same time. So, thanks go out to my brother Will for catching that it had not been posted (catching, pointing out, however you want to word it). So here it is, a few hours late.
For our second addition of Freshman Friday we have 6-foot-8 forward DeAngelo Casto from Spokane.
Well, well, well. . . . .okay for those of you who don't know me, hello. For starters I'd like to say this place is crazy. I'm from East St. Louis but I have lived in Spokane and even Seattle. I finished up high school at Ferris. At first, when I was driving up here I was like, "oh gosh, wheat field, after wheat field, I think this is going to be horrible." It took some time to get used to but I love it here. The transition from high school to WSU was kind of hard, just considering the workload and such, but it's not that bad. I never really liked school but I like being here.
As far as the team goes we should make WSU supporters proud...lots of defense and lots of blocks and lots of DUNKS. Yes! The team is real close to one another and I'm glad I came here. We have our first game coming up and I expect everyone to be there. I know that it's an exhibition game, but I still expect everyone there on the 10th.
Much love. Go Cougs!
DeAngelo Casto
Friday, Oct. 31 (7:20 p.m.)
Happy Halloween Coug Fans!
This afternoon's practice didn't offer many tricks but was full of treats.
During the offensive portion of practice Daven Harmeling and Klay Thompson made it pretty clear they are capable of making up for the scoring that graduated in Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low.
In the last drill of the day, the big guys flexed their muscle. Aron Baynes showed he hasn't lost any strength with the 20 pounds he dropped over the summer. If anything changed, Baynes picked up a step. The big Aussie also flashed a more adept 12-foot jumper.
James Watson also made a statement late in practice with a very impressive and athletic put-back dunk.
Jessica will be back with another practice report Monday, but don't forget about Southpaw Sunday before that.
Check back later tonight for another halloween treat from DeAngelo Casto as he brings you the second installment of Freshman Friday.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Thursday, Oct. 30 (10:05 p.m.)
Welcome back Cougar Fans!
While Mike held down the fort at practice today, I headed back from Pac-10 Media Day in Los Angeles with Coach Bennett. Each year the league hosts the event in which coaches and selected players attend to address and meet with members of the local and national media.
We left after practice Wednesday and got into L.A. around midnight in preparation for Thursday's events. Following a coaches' meeting Thursday morning, I met up with Coach Bennett as he visited various rooms to tape TV and radio interviews from about 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. We were able to get through things pretty quickly. At 11:25 a.m. Bennett took the podium, following USC's Tim Floyd, to address the print media and some TVs (including KXLY's Dennis Patchin) in press conference format.
When asked about excitement in building a program, Bennett responded; "There is excitement from week one to our first game. It's a special thing to be a part of, you can't quantify being part of a turnaround program. The people in Pullman are patient and they understand rebuilding. But when things go well, it's celebrated at a higher level or to a greater degree than in other places and that's pretty worthwhile. We're part of something significant, being a part of the Cougar Nation, and I think our upper classmen are aware of that."
The Pac-10 also released the preseason poll voted on by selected Pac-10 media, in which the Cougs were voted to finish sixth in the league. To read the complete release and see the poll, click to the story
HERE.
The day was pretty quick. Following the press conference, the coaches and student-athletes headed to lunch for some one-on-one time with the media. We scrambled out of there around 12:30 p.m. to catch our 1:30 p.m. flight.
Washington Head Coach Lorenzo Romar and forward Jon Brockman were on our flight from Seattle to L.A. on Wednesday night. I know a lot of you are whole-hearted Cougs, but I've included a photo of Coach Bennett with Jon Brockman from media day.
We'll be back tomorrow with Freshman Friday featuring DeAngelo Casto before I head down to Wawawai Landing on the Snake River for WSU's home rowing regatta against Gonzaga.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Thursday, Oct. 30 (6:23 p.m.)
Welcome Back Coug Fans!
Jessica and Coach Bennett were at Pac-10 Media Day today in L.A. The Cougars were picked to finish sixth in the conference by the media. For more on the media poll, read Jessica's story HERE.
Practice today was a little lighter as Coach Bennett was gone and the team had to lift afterwards.
The guys focused mainly on offense with a lot of 5-on-0 drills, making sure everyone is as crisp and clean as they can be with the season nearing.
The Cougars open their season with an exhibition game against Lewis-Clark State College Nov. 10, before the regular season starts Nov. 15, as the Cougs host 2008 NCAA Tournament participant Mississippi Valley State.
Some of you have been asking about the preseason polls, and today the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll was released. The Cougs picked up one vote for the Top 25, but with highly-ranked opponents on the schedule such as UCLA (No. 4), Pittsburgh (No. 6), Gonzaga (No. 11), Arizona State (No. 15), USC (No. 21) and Baylor, Arizona and Washington all receiving votes, the Cougars can shoot up the polls in no time.
In other Cougar-related news, former WSU student-athlete Kyle Weaver got his first taste of regular-season NBA action last night in the inaugural game for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Milwaukee Bucks. Weaver logged two minutes and tallied one assist. The Thunder play again Saturday, against the Houston Rockets.
Continuing in the spirit of the election season, voting for the blog name will run through Tuesday, Nov. 4, so for those of you who haven't sent me your choice, remember to e-mail mwalsh88@wsu.edu before you go to the polls. And for those of you under 18, this is the perfect way to let your voice be heard this year too.
Keep it Crimson,
Mike Walsh
Wednesday, Oct. 29 (5:00 p.m.)
Hello Again Coug Fans!
The Cougars picked up today right where practice left off last night, with tough defense.
The guys worked on filling the lanes and fighting through screens during the same 4-on-4 drill that tested their spirits last night. The drill was the perfect opportunity for the freshmen to learn new habits that apply to Coach Bennett's defense.
After everyone was clicking on defense, the practice shifted to offense and out-of-bounds plays. The Cougars rotated to different coaches to practice the various sets.
When all the kinks were worked out, the Cougs put it all together in a series of full, 5-on-5 scrimmages. During the mini-games, Klay Thompson showed why many scouting services selected him as the highest-rated Cougar recruit. Thompson was impressive on both ends of the floor, playing tight on-ball defense, blocking out and knocking down deep 3-pointers.
Immediately after practice, Coach Bennett and Jessica rushed to Spokane to catch their flight to L.A. for tomorrow's Pac-10 Media Day festivities. Look for Jessica's story on the men's basketball page tomorrow as well as a blog post from the road.
Also, don't forget to vote for the blog name if you haven't already done so. At this point Crimson ZZU and Hoopla are leading the way. Thank you to all of the readers from the Hawaiian islands for sending in your votes. Remember, the choices are:
Beyond the Arc
In the Paint
Filling the Lanes
Hoopla
Court Vision
Cougar Dribble
Cougar Fast Break
Cougar High Postings
Crimson ZZU
E-mail me your favorite at mwalsh88@wsu.edu.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Tuesday, Oct. 28 (10:30 p.m.)
Good Evening Coug Fans!
The Cougars stepped onto the floor with a new look tonight. Ok, so two of them did. Freshmen John Allen and Klay Thompson were sporting fresh haircuts at this afternoon's practice.
Friel Court also featured a different touch. A brand new scorer's table. The new table has bright LED lights that will show advertisements and other graphics during the games, much like the new scoreboard in Martin Stadium.
As for what was new on the court today, the Cougs started with lots of offense and continued to work on playing together and getting on the same page.
Then Coach Bennett turned the attention to defense and ratcheted up the intensity. First, the Cougars worked on block outs. Freshman DeAngelo Casto showed his dynamic athletic and rebounding abilities as he gave some of the veterans fits on the offensive glass.
Later in practice, the team continued the fervent pace in a physical, 4-on-4, half-court drill. Shining was freshman forward James Watson who was all over the court on defense and set solid screens and bounced around finding gaps on offense. When the Cougs shifted to 5-on-5, Watson continued to impress, along with classmate Marcus Capers who showed an improved grasp of the offense and some exciting improvisations.
The tough practice finished with a full-court, full-speed shooting drill.
"That was a hard practice," Watson said. "It felt good though, we got a lot out of it."
For the first-year forward from Oklahoma, today's brilliant practice was a culmination of the first couple weeks of practice.
"I have learned a lot from the older guys," he said. "They've been showing me what I'm doing and how to fix it. I've been picking up a lot."
But don't expect Watson to peak any time soon.
"I'm always learning," he said.
Remember to vote for the blog name if you haven't already.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Monday, Oct. 27 (8:45 p.m.)
PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY
Good evening Cougs!
The Cougars were back on the court for practice today. As usual, defense was a point of emphasis for the majority of the two hours. As game day gets closer, the Cougs continue to work on game shape as they scrimmaged at the end of practice. Above is a link to photos from today.
Different from our usual practice reports, we will be introducing Manager Monday today. Each Monday we will have one of nine WSU managers blog. No one is closer to the action than these helpful managers, who spend their time wiping floors, dubbing DVDs, and doing laundry, just to name a few things; when not in class or doing homework.
To start things off we have co-head manager, Ben Cartmell. Don't forget to send in your votes to Mike for the name of the blog!
Welcome Cougar nation.
This is Ben Cartmell and I am one of the head managers for the team along with Mike Simonson. The season is upon us and we are ready for the ride this year. I just wanted to start the first of many Manager Monday Blogs with the introduction of all the managers we have on the squad and what they do to help our team be successful.
The basic job for a WSU manager is to help out at practice by setting up and breaking down the practice, rebounding, help pass and help out on defense and/or offense (I would like to note that I forced a turnover today). We also help out the coaching staff in the office, we are there to help out with video, recruiting information, and day-to-day aspects of the program.
We have nine managers total on our staff, they include: myself, Mike Simonson, Charlie Hawkins, Ty Arras, Neil Stover, Brad Updike, John Karns, Casey Tucker, and Blake Jones. We are the guys that work behind the scenes to help the team compete at a high level. We will be back each week to fill you in on what's going on.
Out,
Ben Cartmell
Oct. 27, 2008 (10:55 a.m.)
Happy Monday Coug Fans!
After 10 days of taking suggestions, the blog name has been narrowed down to nine candidates and in the spirit of the election season here in the States, we will decide the name by votes. It is up to you Cougar fans across the world (thank you to Roger, reading in Finland) to e-mail your favorite to mwalsh88@wsu.edu. Thanks to everyone who sent in ideas, it was a tough task selecting a few for you to vote on. Here are your finalists.
Beyond the Arc
In the Paint
Filling the Lanes
Hoopla
Court Vision
Cougar Dribble
Cougar Fast Break
Cougar High Postings
Crimson ZZU
Voting will run through the weekend and the winning blog name will be unveiled next Monday. Don't delay, vote now!
Keep it Crimson,
Mike Walsh
Oct. 26, 2008 (10:45 a.m.)
Good morning Coug Fans!
Since the Cougars are traditionally off on Sundays, we are beginning our Southpaw Sunday Segment. Each Sunday we will sit down with a different left-handed member of the WSU basketball team and ask them the same five questions about what it is like to be left-handed.
Five of the 15 members of the 2008-09 squad are left-handed on the court. The lefties on the team include Marcus Capers (who writes right-handed, but shoots primarily with his left), Abe Lodwick, Nikola Koprivica, Taylor Rochestie and Nick Witherill. On top of that, head coach Tony Bennett is a sharp-shooting lefty himself and senior Aron Baynes can use both hands on the court and writes with his left.
Our first installment of the
Southpaw Sunday segment features redshirt freshman Abe Lodwick.
QUESTION: What is the best thing about being left-handed?
ABE LODWICK: Everyone wants to be left-handed.
Q: What did you think about being left-handed as a child?
AL: I thought I was the only lefty around.
Q: What is the hardest thing for a lefty?
AL: Finding a baseball glove.
Q: What is the greatest advantage for a lefty?
AL: The natural curve on my breaking ball.
Q: Is there anything you do with you right hand?
AL: Every now and then I will bowl right-handed to mix things up.
The team is back on the court Monday, Mike and I will be back with you then.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 (6:15 p.m.)
Welcome back Coug Fans!
The Cougs were back on the court Saturday morning at Beasley. WSU spent a lot of time working on plays on the offensive end. The Cougars ended practice with a 10-minute running clock scrimmage, pitting the red team against the white team. Junior Nikola Koprivica, who spent the summer winning the U-20 European Gold for his native Serbia, looked strong driving to the hoop and cutting without the ball.
Immediately after practice, head coach Tony Bennett and senior Aron Baynes headed to Seattle where they met up with women's head coach June Daugherty for the fourth annual Sterling Savings Bank Night with Cougar Basketball.
Speaking of Bennett, the transcript from his online chat that he participated in Thursday is still available online by clicking HERE. You can read all about his thoughts on the freshmen class, conditioning and the new golf course.
The Cougs are off Sunday, but I will be back to introduce a new weekly segment, Southpaw Sunday, in which we will get the inside scoop on what it's like to be a lefty by a different left-handed shooter each week.
As promised, HERE are a few more photos from Thursday's ZZU CRU party.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 (3:15 p.m.)
Welcome to our first edition of Freshman Friday on the Men's Basketball Blog. Starting things out is 6-foot-4 guard Marcus Capers, who came to WSU from Winter Haven, Fla. Before we get into what Marcus has to say, I want to remind you that WSU Athletics and Pictopia have teamed up to offer the Photo Store available by clicking HERE.
What's up everybody? This is Marcus Capers, one of the many freshmen on the men's basketball team this year. The season is right around the corner and the practices are picking up and I can't wait for it to start. I'm beginning to make the adjustments that I need to make on and off the court. On the court the only difference is that I'm not the big guard I was in high school anymore, but I'm getting there slowly. The only thing that may take time to adjust to is the weather, it's getting cold in Pullman.
We're a young team this year and I hope we are able to fill the shoes that were left by the players from last year. Although, we do have a couple of older players in the group (Daven and Taylor being the oldest), so we should be alright.
I'll keep ya'll posted on everything that's going on with the team from start to finish.
Peace, I'm out,
Marcus Capers
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 (10:15 p.m.)
ZZU CRU PHOTO GALLERY
I'm going to keep this short tonight with a few of my favorite photos from the evening. The men's and women's basketball teams spent the evening with the ZZU CRU, introducing themselves and signing autographs. WSU men's head coach Tony Bennett and women's head coach June Daugherty were also on hand to address the fans, which packed into the lower section of the bleachers in Bohler Gym.
After ZZU CRU members enjoyed food and games, men's basketball head coach Tony Bennett took the floor to thank the fans for their support and for making Friel Court an electric home court advantage. Looking sharp in their travel gear, thanks to manager, Neil, each of the 14 men's team members in attendance introduced themselves following Bennett's address of the fans (Nikola Koprivica had a test to take).
The women's team followed with introductions of the coaching staff and team. The WSU athletic marketing department unveiled this season's men's and women's basketball posters as the two teams intermixed at a row of tables and signed autographs.
I will be back tomorrow with more photos from this evening, along with our Freshman Friday entry and a practice recap.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 (7:00 p.m.)
Hello again Coug fans!
Practice today was short and a little more relaxed as Coach Bennett stressed to the players the importance of taking care of their bodies.
"It was really good for our bodies to relax a little today," said redshirt freshman Abe Lodwick as he stayed after practice to get some extra work from the foul line. "It was a very conceptual practice with lots of learning on offense."
So, even though the bodies may have been given a bit of a break this afternoon, everyone needed to be mentally engaged. Nearly the last half hour was dedicated entirely to implementing offensive plays in a 5-on-0 setting. For the freshman, they are still getting their feet wet in the offense but are steadily improving with every dribble.
"The young guys have definitely shown progress in the last week," Lodwick said. "They have a better idea of where to be."
Another reason practice was cut short today is due to tonight's ZZU CRU Preseason Party at 7:30. Jessica will be there snapping pictures and will post a recap with a photo gallery from the event.
As promised, we will be unveiling the first of our feature series tomorrow. Log on to the blog for the first installment of Freshman Friday. This week features Marcus Capers.
Jessica will be back to talk about tomorrow's practice in the afternoon.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 (8:15 p.m.)
PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY
Welcome back Coug fans!
Today's practice was a little slower and detail-oriented as the guys had to hit the weight room immediately after their time on the floor.
That's not to say today's drills went without some intensity. Freshman Marcus Capers demonstrated a new passion, especially on defense, and lit a fire under the red squad in 5-on-5 drills.
For the second day in a row, redshirt freshman Charlie Enquist was impressive on offense as he showed no signs of hesitation to crash the boards or look for chances to score. The sacrifice of his efforts was evident when he peeled off his blood-soaked left sock at the end of practice.
For the last five minutes of practice the team split up for position-specific drills. On one end of the court, the guards spent their time getting up as many shots off the catch as they could. In that time, I could count the times the threesome of Taylor Rochestie, Mike Harthun and Abe Lodwick missed shots on one hand.
Tomorrow I'll be back as practice moves out of the Beasley in lieu of the ZZ TOP concert.
Be sure to keep an eye out for some special features we will be posting here in the coming days.
Just in case the blog isn't enough fan interaction for some of you, be sure to catch Coach Bennett's take on the team during tomorrow's Cougar Chats. You can submit your own questions for coach HERE.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 (9:20 p.m.)
Before today's practice recap... Coach Bennett spoke with Ian Furness on KJR this morning about the first few practices, senior leadership and this season's tough schedule. To hear it in Coach's own words, click HERE.
Back to the court. Today the Cougars worked a lot on offense with one-on-one drills, 5-on-0 possessions and transition practice capped by a controlled scrimmage. During individual sessions, in which the players are grouped by position, the forwards worked on making post moves and finishing in traffic while the guards fine-tuned their abilities to catch-and-release and shoot off the bounce. Towards the end of practice, the team went to a 5-on-5 half-court scrimmage with the offense running set plays. Not surprisingly, the returning players had the advantage. What may be unexpected to those who don't get to see practice is which veterans shined the brightest; senior Caleb Forrest and redshirt freshman Charlie Enquist. Both men seem driven to fill the void at power forward left by Robbie Cowgill. Forrest, who has always been known for his tenacity, showed a soft shooting touch from the elbow and always seemed to be in the right position to clean up any mess left by his teammates. Enquist boasted the 20 pounds he has put on since last season as he battled for rebounds and finished strong in the paint.
Of course, as is the case with any Bennett practice, there was always room for working on defense. In fact the practice started with defense. The guys got their blood pumping with a full-court transition defense drill. Later, the team split into groups of three for a grueling defensive drill in which the offense tries to go the length of the court using only one dribble between each pass. Junior Nikola Koprivica and freshmen Marcus Capers and Klay Thomspon showed off their knack for finding passing lanes as they continually kept offenses from getting to the baseline.
The Cougs will be back on the court tomorrow afternoon and I will bring you another update soon after. Until then, be sure to send in your best suggestions for a name for the blog to mwalsh88@wsu.edu.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 (7:30 p.m.)
Welcome back Cougar fans!
The Cougars were back on the court today after taking Sunday off, opening the week with an intense practice. The focus, as usual, was on defense and taking care of the ball, as the team participated in a lot of one-on-one drills.
Click HERE for a photo gallery from today's practice.
Don't forget that Coach Bennett will be participating in an online chat on Thursday at 11 a.m. For more information and to submit your questions, click HERE.
Mike will be back Tuesday to chat about practice.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Oct. 18, 2008 (4:50 p.m.)
PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY
Welcome back Cougar hoops fans!
It's football game day here in Pullman but before the Cougs hit the gridiron, Tony Bennett and his squad wrapped up their first weekend of practice this morning at Friel Court.
One of coach Bennett's points of emphasis today was "ball sureness." Early during a 5-on-0 offensive drill, it was evident the team was anxious to get on the floor as a few rushed possessions resulted in turnovers.
After settling in, the red team- comprised largely of those nine new faces- became a crystal ball with an exciting glimpse into the future. Redshirt freshman Abe Lodwick is doing all of the right things to establish himself as a leader for the young crew as he took charge of the red offense and pulled back the tempo a little. Once the team was in a flow, freshman Marcus Capers showed the new wrinkle he can bring to the Cougar offense as the 6-foot-4 guard was attacking the hoop and finishing strong with two hands when he got to the rim. When the lanes weren't open, fellow freshman Mike Harthun was busy showing what a weapon he will be from beyond the arc.
Not to be lost in the buzz around the freshman is the steadiness and consistency the veterans provide. Taylor Rochestie continues to show why he is among the best point guards in the country with his seemingly perfect balance of ball security and risk-taking. It was obvious that he is looking for even more out of himself this season, though, as he would grimace after every missed shot, especially from 3-point range. If he is expecting to improve on his career 42.3 percent 3-point shooting (third-best all-time at WSU) then Cougar opponents will be in serious trouble.
I asked freshman DeAngelo Casto what he learned from the older guys during his first weekend of practice. "Effort. You can make up for so much with extra effort. That's the thing we're going to have to do really well to be successful this year."
Amidst all the new faces was a very familiar one lurking around the sidelines at today's practice. Former Coug, 2008 alum Robbie Cowgill was in attendance soaking up the new excitement that he played such a large role in creating.
Redshirt senior forward Daven Harmeling is excited about getting back on the court next week after what he called a very revealing first weekend. "We have a long ways to come before we will be as successful as we want to be."
Practice resumes Monday. Be sure to check back for more updates on Cougar Basketball. Also, be sure to keep e-mailing your blog name suggestions to mwalsh88@wsu.edu.
Keep it crimson,
Mike Walsh
Oct. 17, 2008 (7:45 p.m.)
Hello Cougar Fans!
The Cougars' first official practice of the 2008-09 season is in the books. The team hit the floor at 5 p.m. in the newly-painted Beasley Coliseum and wrapped up just around 7:15 p.m., working a lot on the defensive end. Tonight's practice marked the first collegiate practice for the seven true freshmen.
Below is a quote from head coach Tony Bennett about the debut ofthe freshmen, a quote from freshman Klay Thompson on the defensive drills in practice and two quotes from senior Taylor Rochestie talking about practice and the team workouts that led up to it.
Head Coach Tony Bennett
On the freshmen's first day of practice...
"It's a big adjustment, you kind of either sink or swim, but you can't stop trying. We had some guys banged up, so our numbers were limited so they (the freshmen) got a lot of reps. They hadn't gone that hard that long for, most of their lives for some of them, but certainly for the season."
Freshman Klay Thompson
On the defense-oriented practice...
"I was expecting it. It's hard work, but it's good for us. "
Senior Taylor Rochestie
On the first day of practice...
"I think our first practice went well. It was exciting to get back into the grind of things and not stop after 40 minutes. We've got a lot of progress to make, and the only way to do that is to practice together. We're trying to get all our individuals and our cross between freshmen and seniors and bring it all together and make a good team."
On the advantage of team workouts prior to the first official practice...
"I think it's a little different. A lot of the teaching is out of the way, not to say the coaches aren't teaching, but now it's down to playing hard and getting after it and that's what we love to do."
Michael and I will be back tomorrow following the Cougs' practice.
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick
Oct. 17. 2008 (4:15 p.m.)
Welcome Cougar Fans!
With the start of the 2008-09 season comes the brand new Cougar Men's Basketball Blog. The blog will be another outlet for the WSU faithful to try and get your fill of hoops this season. It will not replace any of the normal web content such as weekly notes or releases, but rather give a behind-the-scenes look at Cougar Basketball with photo galleries, practice notes and updates you can't get anywhere else. In addition we will bring you a look at the off-the-court life of all your favorite Cougars.
So who are "we"? We are the men's basketball contacts in the Washington State University Athletic Media Relations office. Assistant director Jessica Schmick, a WSU graduate, is in her second year as the Cougar Men's Basketball contact and her fifth year in the business. As for me, I am Michael Walsh; a junior here at WSU in my second year as the student assistant for men's basketball. I guess you could say I am the Karl Malone to Jessica's John Stockton. Along with some help from student-athletes, managers and support staff, Jessica and I will take turns writing entries in this blog throughout the season.
We are going to go ahead and take a page out of Joe Nickell's book and invite all of the loyal Cougar Basketball followers to send in your own ideas for the name of the blog. E-mail your favorite suggestions to mwalsh88@wsu.edu. The best name will adorn the men's basketball blog for the rest of the year.
Today is the first official day of practice for the 2008-09 basketball season, and though the opening weekend is overshadowed a little by the big football game tomorrow, it is time to turn some attention towards the hardwood.
As most of you know, this year's Cougar team will have a lot of fresh legs joining the veteran core of Aron Baynes, Caleb Forrest, Daven Harmeling, Nikola Koprivica and Taylor Rochestie. Returning to the team after spending last season as squad members will be sophomore Fabian Boeke and redshirt freshmen Charlie Enquist and Abe Lodwick. Seeing their first official court time as Cougars today will be seven true freshmen: John Allen, Marcus Capers, DeAngelo Casto, Mike Harthun, Klay Thompson, James Watson and Nick Witherill.
Here's a quick meet-the-team session:
TEAM PHOTO GALLERY
0 • Marcus Capers (G • 6-4 • 172 • FR) Winter Haven, Fla. (Montverde Academy)
A two-time All-State honoree, Capers played one season at Montverde Academy after transferring from Lake Region HS prior to his senior season. As a senior the versatile guard averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game.
1 • Klay Thompson (G • 6-6 • 187 • FR) Ladera Ranch, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic HS)
The 2007-08 Division III State Player of the Year, Thompson led Santa Margarita Catholic HS to a State Championship as a senior. A sharp shooter, Thompson picked up numerous honors as a senior, including Trinity League MVP, first-team Best in the West and EA Sports Second Team All-American accolades.
3 • Mike Harthun (G • 6-3 • 180 • FR) Medford, Ore. (South Medford HS)
A four-year letterwinner at South Medford HS, Harthun helped lead his team to two-straight State Championship game appearances, winning the title as a junior. Known for his long distance shooting, Harthun ranks second in SMHS history with 1,949 career points. A three-time All-State honoree, Harthun averaged 19.3 points and 5.7 assists per game in his four years of high school basketball.
4 • Nikola Koprivica (G • 6-6 • 216 • JR) Belgrade, Serbia (Sport Grammer School)
A two-year letterwinner at WSU, Koprivica is looking forward to a healthy year after injuring his knee in January of his freshman season. With his size, driving ability and experience, Koprivica will be looked to make an impact in the backcourt. Koprivica spent part of his summer in Latvia playing for the Serbian U20 team which took home the gold at the European Championship.
5 • Abe Lodwick (G • 6-7 • 200 • RS-FR) Bend, Ore. (Mountain View HS)
Lodwick spent the 2007-08 season as an important contributor each day at practice while redshirting. With his length and smooth left-handed shooting ability, Lodwick is a dangerous addition to the Cougar backcourt. A four-year letterwinner at Mountain View HS, Lodwick was named All-State as both a junior and senior.
10 • Taylor Rochestie (G • 6-1 • 193 • RS-SR) Santa Barbara, Calif. (Tulane University)
The WSU single-season record holder for minutes played, Rochestie will carry a heavy load as the returning point guard. One of the best ball handlers in the country, Rochestie ranked 10th in the nation last year with a 2.8 assist/turnover ratio. One of several lefties on the team, Rochestie has become dangerous from 3-point range and averaged a team third-best 10.4 points per game last season.
11 • Aron Baynes (C • 6-10 • 250 • SR) Cairns, Australia (Cairns State HS)
One of the most experienced players on the team, Baynes returns as the starting center having shed 20 pounds from last season. Baynes brings a tremendous amount of size to the Cougar frontcourt and averaged a team third-best 10.4 points per outing last season. Baynes continues to improve his strength and is one of the most consistent shooters on the court after shooting .600 from the field last season.
13 • Fabian Boeke (C • 6-11 • 223 • SO) Hamburg, Germany (Urspring Basketball Academy)
Although a member of last season's team, Boeke missed the entire season due to NCAA eligibility rules. With his length and shooting ability, Boeke's presence is hard to match up with. Prior to coming to WSU, Boeke played on the German U20 national team and was a member of the German A2 men's national team.
14 • James Watson (F • 6-7 • 210 • FR) Atoka, Okla. (Stringtown HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Stringtown HS, Watson led his team to the Class `B' State Championship as a senior. He was a two-time all-conference honoree. A tremendous shot blocker and rebounder, Watson will look to add athletic ability at the small forward position for the Cougars.
20 • John Allen (G • 6-0 • 181 • FR) Brier, Wash. (Mountlake Terrace HS)
Allen earned one letter at Mountlake Terrace HS after earning two letters at Shorewood HS. A solid point guard, Allen earned all-conference accolades as both a sophomore and junior.
23 • DeAngelo Casto (F • 6-8 • 229 • FR) Spokane, Wash. (Ferris HS)
Casto earned two letters at Ferris HS after transferring from Freeman HS prior to his junior season. A gifted shot blocker, Casto did not lose a game as a member of the Ferris HS team, as the team holds a 58-game winning streak heading into the 2008-09 season. The reigning 4A State player of the year, Casto averaged 14.7 points and 11.1 rebounds in his two seasons at FHS, adding 4.0 blocks per game as a senior.
32 • Daven Harmeling (F • 6-7 • 227 • RS-SR) Grand Junction, Colo. (Fruita Monument HS)
Harmeling enters his fifth season with the Cougars in 2008-09, serving an instrumental role as a team leader. Last season Harmeling averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while ranking third on the team with 35 made 3-pointers. A small forward with a smooth shot, Harmeling is a threat behind the 3-point arc.
40 • Charlie Enquist (F • 6-10 • 222 •RS-FR) Edmonds, Wash. (Kings HS)
A two-year letterwinner at Kings HS, Enquist redshirted last season as a true freshman at WSU. An important part of practices, Enquist has added strength to this tall frame which helps him contribute down low.
44 • Nick Witherill (G • 6-1 • 176 • FR) Phoenix, Ariz. (Highland HS)
Witherill earned a total of four varsity basketball letters, including one, as a senior, at Gilbert Highland HS. A four-time All-State honoree, Witherill set the school record for points in a season as a junior while at Saguaro HS. A steady ball handler and shooter, Witherill averaged 16 points, five assists and three steals per game as a senior.
52 • Caleb Forrest (F • 6-8 • 223 • SR) Pagosa Springs, Colo. (Pagosa Springs HS)
Known for his hustle, Forrest returns as a vital part of the Cougar frontcourt. A three-year letterwinner at WSU, Forrest averaged 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as a junior. Forrest has the ability to come up big in important games. Last season his Pac-10 high for points (eight) came in WSU's games against California, UCLA and Arizona, three of the Cougars' seven league losses.
Later this weekend we will have practice recaps along with photo galleries, so be sure to check it out!
Keep it crimson,
Jessica Schmick and Mike Walsh, WSU Athletic Media Relations
