Post by mhbruin on Jun 2, 2022 7:31:14 GMT -8
CHANGES
Mouhamed Gueye leaves transfer portal and returns to WSU.
Washington State has also secured a commitment from Tennessee transfer Justin Powell, he told ESPN. Powell was at one point projected as an NBA draft pick after an impressive start to his freshman season at Auburn, where he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 44% from 3. Powell's freshman season with the Tigers was cut short by a concussion, after which he elected to transfer to Tennessee.
Powell's role was reduced dramatically with the Vols, as he came off the bench and played only 14 minutes per game, averaging 3.7 points while shooting 38% from 3. Powell says the opportunity to be a focal point of the offense was a major consideration in his decision to commit to Washington State. "I was looking for opportunity," Powell said. "Going somewhere I can have the ball in my hands and showcase what I can do like I did my first year in college. Playing in an NBA offense in terms of pick-and-roll concepts and spacing was important. Washington State led the Pac-12 in 3-pointers attempted and they had several departures in the backcourt, which left a big void there that I can hopefully step into. I'm going into it with the mindset of working hard and everything will work out. I'll try to be a good leader and hopefully help the team make it to the NCAA tournament."
Mael Crespin commits
From Wilner:
Rising: Washington State basketball
The Cougars have lost a slew of key players to the NBA Draft or transfer portal this spring, with a shell of a roster left in their wake.
But good news finally appeared on the scene in the Palouse — two pieces, in fact.
First, forward Mouhamed Gueye on Tuesday reversed course and returned to WSU after spending one month in the portal. The 6-foot-11 sophomore is a bit raw but one of the most physically gifted young big men in the conference.
Given standard year-over-year development, he should be an impact player next season on both ends.
Also on Tuesday, the Cougars bolstered their backcourt with the addition of Tennessee transfer Justin Powell, a rotation-level player whose career began two seasons ago at Auburn, where he shot 44 percent from 3-point range before a season-ending injury.
(Because the move to WSU is his second transfer, Powell’s eligibility in 2022-23 is not guaranteed. He must apply for a waiver from the NCAA.)
In our view, Gueye’s return solidifies the Cougars as a mid-level finisher in the conference race next season, along with the likes of Colorado and Stanford but behind the four favorites: UCLA, USC, Oregon and Arizona.
While the frontline looks solid, WSU seemingly lacks the backcourt skill and depth to push for a top-tier spot — at least right now.
---------------------------------
Next are the 5th-7th place Washington State Cougars. I thought the would be a tournament team last season. They improved a lot on their 10th-place finish in 2020. They followed a 14-13 season with a 22-15 year. However, they lost a lot of close games. They could have been a contender. (Instead of a bum with a one-way ticket to Palooka-Ville.)
If most of that team returned, you might expect them to build on that success. Unfortunately for Cougar fans, players are headed for the exits, including most of the starting lineup. Coach Kyle Smith is just about starting over.
GRADUATING
Flowers led WSU in scoring, assists, and A/TO ratio.
IN THE DRAFT OR TURNING PRO
Efe Abogidi led the Cougs in rebounds and blocks. He extremely athletic with a lot of upside.
TRANSFERRING OUT
The Cougars are losing their top 4 scorers and 5 of the top 6. They are losing their top 2 rebounders, their top 3 assist guys, their top 4 at steals, and their #1 and #3 best shot blockers.
The players who are leaving made up 84% of their starts in game last season.
Mouhamed Gueye was the second highest-rated recruit in WSU history, behind only Klay Thompson. He is considering transferring, but also considering a return to Pullman. "Return to Pullman" sounds like a horror film to me.
Roberts was their second-leading scorer, but he probably took too many difficult shots.
I thought Noah Williams would be All-Pac-12 last year, but he had a disappointing season and finished the year coming off the bench.
Each of these players was a little disappointing, but overall the loss of all of them is pretty devastating.
RETURNING
Note about classes: With the extra year of eligibility, there is no clear way to label players. If a player is in his 4th season, but will have another year of eligibility after this year, I am calling him "Jr 4".
The Cougars return 4 rotation players, including one one who started much last season. This isn't a terrible core of players. I think each of them is a good player.
However, I don't think any of them is a great player. You can only go so far with a bunch of good players, particularly when there aren't too many of them.
WSU needs a significant influx of talent. Did they get it?
RECRUITS
(#73 class, #11 in Pac-12)
I don't think this class provides the talent they need.
Based on the other teams offering, it looks like the two centers coming in might be pretty good. However, this is probably not the influx of talent they were needing for two reason.
First, three of these players are centers. Of their 4 returning players, one is also a center. That means of that of the 8 players we have seen so far, 4 of them are centers. That leaves 4 players for 4 other spots on the floor. Unless they want to play two centers, that isn't a ton of depth.
Crespin is from France. Foreign players are often an unknown quantity. Randy Bennett of St. Mary's has been good at finding foreign players, so his offer is a positive indication that Mael can play.
(#84 transfer class, #5 in Pac-12)
Maybe they found the answer in the transfer portal.
So far, the portal does not seem to have delivered. They have a bench player from Saint Mary's who scored 3 points per game.
Powell is on his 3rd school and will be in his 3rd season. He was projected as an NBA draft pick after an impressive start to his freshman season at Auburn, where he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 44% from 3. Powell's freshman season with the Tigers was cut short by a concussion, after which he elected to transfer to Tennessee.
Powell's role was reduced dramatically with the Vols, as he came off the bench and played only 14 minutes per game, averaging 3.7 points while shooting 38% from 3. Powell says the opportunity to be a focal point of the offense was a major consideration in his decision to commit to Washington State.
"Focal point of the offense" sounds like a selfish player to me. His so-so 1.7 A/TO ratio is better than anyone else on WSU's roster.
CONCLUSION
Mouhamed Gueye leaves transfer portal and returns to WSU.
Washington State has also secured a commitment from Tennessee transfer Justin Powell, he told ESPN. Powell was at one point projected as an NBA draft pick after an impressive start to his freshman season at Auburn, where he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 44% from 3. Powell's freshman season with the Tigers was cut short by a concussion, after which he elected to transfer to Tennessee.
Powell's role was reduced dramatically with the Vols, as he came off the bench and played only 14 minutes per game, averaging 3.7 points while shooting 38% from 3. Powell says the opportunity to be a focal point of the offense was a major consideration in his decision to commit to Washington State. "I was looking for opportunity," Powell said. "Going somewhere I can have the ball in my hands and showcase what I can do like I did my first year in college. Playing in an NBA offense in terms of pick-and-roll concepts and spacing was important. Washington State led the Pac-12 in 3-pointers attempted and they had several departures in the backcourt, which left a big void there that I can hopefully step into. I'm going into it with the mindset of working hard and everything will work out. I'll try to be a good leader and hopefully help the team make it to the NCAA tournament."
Mael Crespin commits
From Wilner:
Rising: Washington State basketball
The Cougars have lost a slew of key players to the NBA Draft or transfer portal this spring, with a shell of a roster left in their wake.
But good news finally appeared on the scene in the Palouse — two pieces, in fact.
First, forward Mouhamed Gueye on Tuesday reversed course and returned to WSU after spending one month in the portal. The 6-foot-11 sophomore is a bit raw but one of the most physically gifted young big men in the conference.
Given standard year-over-year development, he should be an impact player next season on both ends.
Also on Tuesday, the Cougars bolstered their backcourt with the addition of Tennessee transfer Justin Powell, a rotation-level player whose career began two seasons ago at Auburn, where he shot 44 percent from 3-point range before a season-ending injury.
(Because the move to WSU is his second transfer, Powell’s eligibility in 2022-23 is not guaranteed. He must apply for a waiver from the NCAA.)
In our view, Gueye’s return solidifies the Cougars as a mid-level finisher in the conference race next season, along with the likes of Colorado and Stanford but behind the four favorites: UCLA, USC, Oregon and Arizona.
While the frontline looks solid, WSU seemingly lacks the backcourt skill and depth to push for a top-tier spot — at least right now.
---------------------------------
Next are the 5th-7th place Washington State Cougars. I thought the would be a tournament team last season. They improved a lot on their 10th-place finish in 2020. They followed a 14-13 season with a 22-15 year. However, they lost a lot of close games. They could have been a contender. (Instead of a bum with a one-way ticket to Palooka-Ville.)
If most of that team returned, you might expect them to build on that success. Unfortunately for Cougar fans, players are headed for the exits, including most of the starting lineup. Coach Kyle Smith is just about starting over.
GRADUATING
| Player | Games | Starts | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Michael Flowers | 37 | 37 | 33 | 14 | 3 | 3 |
Flowers led WSU in scoring, assists, and A/TO ratio.
IN THE DRAFT OR TURNING PRO
| Player | Games | Starts | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Efe Abogidi | 37 | 29 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 1 |
Efe Abogidi led the Cougs in rebounds and blocks. He extremely athletic with a lot of upside.
TRANSFERRING OUT
| Player | Games | Starts | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Destination |
| Jefferson Koulibaly | 16 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | SMU |
| Ryan Rapp | 16 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Hawaii |
| Tyrell Roberts | 36 | 31 | 29 | 11 | 2 | 2 | San Francisco |
| Noah Williams | 35 | 25 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 2 | Washington |
The Cougars are losing their top 4 scorers and 5 of the top 6. They are losing their top 2 rebounders, their top 3 assist guys, their top 4 at steals, and their #1 and #3 best shot blockers.
The players who are leaving made up 84% of their starts in game last season.
Mouhamed Gueye was the second highest-rated recruit in WSU history, behind only Klay Thompson. He is considering transferring, but also considering a return to Pullman. "Return to Pullman" sounds like a horror film to me.
Roberts was their second-leading scorer, but he probably took too many difficult shots.
I thought Noah Williams would be All-Pac-12 last year, but he had a disappointing season and finished the year coming off the bench.
Each of these players was a little disappointing, but overall the loss of all of them is pretty devastating.
RETURNING
Note about classes: With the extra year of eligibility, there is no clear way to label players. If a player is in his 4th season, but will have another year of eligibility after this year, I am calling him "Jr 4".
| Player | Games | Starts | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3Pt% | A/TO | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| Mouhamed Gueye | 35 | 33 | 33 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 49% | 28% | 0.5 | So | 4 | 106 |
| T J Bamba | 32 | 16 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 38% | 36% | 0.6 | So 3 | Unranked | |
| Dishon Jackson | 25 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 55% | 0.5 | So 3 | 3 | 188 | |
| Andrej Jakimovski | 37 | 5 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 39% | 38% | 0.9 | So 3 | 3 | 141 |
| D. J Rodman | 35 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 42% | 28% | 1.5 | Jr 4 | 1 | 511 |
The Cougars return 4 rotation players, including one one who started much last season. This isn't a terrible core of players. I think each of them is a good player.
However, I don't think any of them is a great player. You can only go so far with a bunch of good players, particularly when there aren't too many of them.
WSU needs a significant influx of talent. Did they get it?
RECRUITS
(#73 class, #11 in Pac-12)
| Player | Size | Position | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank | Offers |
| Adrame Diongue | 7-0 185 | C | 4 | 79 | Kansas, Illinois, Texas Tech, ASU |
| Dylan Darling | 6-2 175 | CG | Unranked | Idaho St, Seattle Pacific, Montana State | |
| Solomon Ominu | 6-10 230 | C | Unranked | Memphis, Oklahoma | |
| Mael Crespin | 6-9 235 | C | Unranked | BYU, Oregon St, St. Mary's |
I don't think this class provides the talent they need.
Based on the other teams offering, it looks like the two centers coming in might be pretty good. However, this is probably not the influx of talent they were needing for two reason.
First, three of these players are centers. Of their 4 returning players, one is also a center. That means of that of the 8 players we have seen so far, 4 of them are centers. That leaves 4 players for 4 other spots on the floor. Unless they want to play two centers, that isn't a ton of depth.
Crespin is from France. Foreign players are often an unknown quantity. Randy Bennett of St. Mary's has been good at finding foreign players, so his offer is a positive indication that Mael can play.
TRANSFERRING IN
(#84 transfer class, #5 in Pac-12)
Maybe they found the answer in the transfer portal.
| Player | Size | Games | Starts | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG % | 3-Pt % | From | Class | Recruiting Stars | Recruiting Rank |
| Jabe Mullins | 6-6 195 | 34 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 41% | 37% | Saint Mary's | So 3 | Unranked | |
| Justin Powell | 6-6 197 | 30 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 39% | 38% | Tennessee | So 3 | 3 | 188 |
So far, the portal does not seem to have delivered. They have a bench player from Saint Mary's who scored 3 points per game.
Powell is on his 3rd school and will be in his 3rd season. He was projected as an NBA draft pick after an impressive start to his freshman season at Auburn, where he averaged 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 44% from 3. Powell's freshman season with the Tigers was cut short by a concussion, after which he elected to transfer to Tennessee.
Powell's role was reduced dramatically with the Vols, as he came off the bench and played only 14 minutes per game, averaging 3.7 points while shooting 38% from 3. Powell says the opportunity to be a focal point of the offense was a major consideration in his decision to commit to Washington State.
"Focal point of the offense" sounds like a selfish player to me. His so-so 1.7 A/TO ratio is better than anyone else on WSU's roster.
CONCLUSION
With the NBA deadline past, you might think that most of the suspense is gone. However, with the transfer portal, the suspense remains. While I am sure they are looking to bring in transfers, their biggest hope is to keep Gueye from transferring. If he returns, WSU could have a decent season.
Without Gueye, there will be little cause for optimism in Pullman. Their best players left, and the new ones coming in are underwhelming. Coach Smith is a good coach, but there is only so much you can do without the players.
They don't have a lot of players and they have nobody who looks like a great player. Maybe one of two of these guys will have a breakout season. However, I don't see enough here to win a lot of games in the Pac-12, even if the bottom of the league will be pretty bad.
There is still time for Coach Smith to pull a few rabbits out of a hat or players out of the transfer portal. The big rabbit is Gueye.
If he returns, they should be in the middle of the league. Otherwise, look for a 9th or 10th place finish.
Without Gueye, there will be little cause for optimism in Pullman. Their best players left, and the new ones coming in are underwhelming. Coach Smith is a good coach, but there is only so much you can do without the players.
They don't have a lot of players and they have nobody who looks like a great player. Maybe one of two of these guys will have a breakout season. However, I don't see enough here to win a lot of games in the Pac-12, even if the bottom of the league will be pretty bad.
There is still time for Coach Smith to pull a few rabbits out of a hat or players out of the transfer portal. The big rabbit is Gueye.
If he returns, they should be in the middle of the league. Otherwise, look for a 9th or 10th place finish.