WSU prepares for LA invasion

Well, we’ve finally got some time to put together some thoughts about basketball, based on Ken Bone’s press conference and practice. Sorry we’re a little late here, but we’ve been working on something else (and I’m sure you know what that is and there is a couple notes about that on the bottom of this post). Read on.

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• We’re working on a story for Thursday on the Cougars’ postseason, if there will be one, in what tournament that might. My first question for Bone concerned that and its relationship with this weekend. He didn’t think this was a make-or-break weekend, because of the Pac-10 Tournament, but it was important. … The defense came up and Bone talked about not emphasizing it enough earlier in the year. The emphasis has increased at practice recently – I can confirm that – and the defense has improved at times – though recent second-half point totals might belie that. … Bone said part of that is the lack of depth, part of it is youth, part of it is his failure as a coach. He feels sometimes he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, because if he lets certain guys sit, they may have legs for later in the game, but the lead may not be there. … Of course, he said, it’s harder to sustain a big lead on the road than at home. … I asked about UCLA’s zone and how the Cougars could attack it better. He talked about better shot selection and more patience, pretty key items against any zone. … By the way, the last time WSU defeated UCLA in Pullman was in 1993. There has been more success in LA, believe it or not. … A couple of notes from practice. Charlie Enquist’s left ankle is in a boot and he is out for this week. John Allen is back, however. … Marcus Capers was not at practice today and won’t be at practice tomorrow. He is in Florida due to a death in his family. … Taylor Rochestie is in town this week and is practicing with the team today. He’s still as quick as ever. Rochestie is playing in Germany but is on break.

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• Bill Moos is either on campus now or will be soon. He’s having dinner with a few coaches, administrators and others this evening. We’ll be posting a story in a bit about the athletic director search but I can say if things go well the next couple days, and Moos shows an interest in the position, I’m sure Washington State will offer him the job. We’ll have more soon.

• That’s all for now. We’ll be back later. Until then …