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WSU decides not to extend season

Posted by Vince

March 13, 2010 1:06 p.m. • 21 comments

COUGARS • UPDATED: 2:35 P.M.

Just got off the phone with WSU sports information basketball contact Jessica Schmick - I had asked earlier today about postseason - and she said coach Ken Bone had decided it would be best not to pursue a berth in the CBI or any other postseason tourney. That means WSU’s season, Bone’s first in Pullman, will end 16-15.

UPDATE: Read on for more on WSU’s decision.

••••••••••

• After the loss to Oregon on Wednesday night, the Cougars seemed intent on exploring their options for the postseason. The CBI was about the only option, and that would, in the long run, probably cost a few bucks. If you host a CBI game, you better have revenues of about $75,000 if you want to break even, because the organization that runs the tournament has a $60,000 fee and it takes about $15,000 to put on a home game at Beasley. Road games are different - WSU wouldn’t have been able to host this week due to spring break and the NCAA tourney in Spokane, hosted by the school - but, if you want to be considered, I’ve been told, you have to be ready to host at some point down the pike. I believe the WSU administration was willing to do this if Bone felt it was crucial for the team’s maturation process. As I wasn’t in the coaches’ offices when discussions about postseason occurred, I can’t tell you exactly what was behind the decision to not seek to continue the season. But I’m sure finances had some role, however minor, as did the wearing nature of the year. When I talked with women’s coach June Daugherty before her team’s Pac-10 tournament game, she mentioned how freshmen are shocked by the mental demands of college basketball. The physical demands are different, sure, but the time these players put in, the film sessions, the meetings, the class requirements, all combine to tax even the most solid freshmen athletes. It’s a learning process for each. Whatever the reasons behind the decision, you can be sure it wasn’t made spur of the moment, as it’s been more a couple days since the Oregon defeat. … By the way, here’s a pretty interesting column from Greg Hansen about the changing Pac-10 hierarchy.

•••••

• That’s it for now. We’ll be back as events warrant.

21 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Beiron on March 13 at 1:45 p.m.
Pretty ridiculous that the last place team in a “down year” even has a choice in the matter.

I don’t really understand why they don’t slightly change the rules to allow teams to continue practicing as long as there are other teams playing games since that is always the reason mentioned for playing in the post season.

I think they probably could have done alright against non-pac-10 teams but I have a feeling this is partially a discipline decision.
JobuCoug on March 13 at 1:53 p.m.
Wow. Just wow.

We went from 14-5 to this news today.

I’m sorry, but this is on Bone.

Moos needs to have a long, draw-out chat (with the door closed) with Mr. Bone about the direction of this program and his apparent lack of leadership.

Simply unreal.
JamesBond on March 13 at 1:55 p.m.
Good for them. I have no clue how these tournaments can possibily be good financial decisions.
Ridgetop on March 13 at 4:18 p.m.
Given the youth of the team I think this was good decision.
Grady on March 13 at 4:50 p.m.
Not too long ago, the Huskies and Cougs both sat at 4-5 in conference. One team was young, and faded down the stretch (shades of 2006). The other, led by an explosive senior in Quincy Pondexter, caught fire and made a run.

Ken Bone is a victim of his own early success. Some people need to review his resume, and realize that watching this year’s UCLA game on TV doesn’t make you an expert on the art of college coaching. This team simply beat up mid-major opponents (no surprise) and over-achieved in the first half of Pac-10 play. But if you looked closely you’d have seen the warning signs: almost losing to a bad EWU team; nearly blowing a 30 point lead to struggling Idaho.

This team isn’t nearly as talented as some of you think it is. And even if it is, remember that Low/Weaver/Cowgill couldn’t win as sophomores either. Ken Bone might not work out, but we don’t know that yet. We will in a couple years as he develops this team and builds his own roster.

Calm down, and I look forward to seeing all you naysayers jump back on the bandwagon next December.
avboden on March 13 at 5:26 p.m.
If anyone cares…WSU Women’s rugby (#9 in the nation D2) Defeated #11 Western Washington today with a score of 15-14. The hard fought victory came with 2 tries(touchdown in laymen terms) after being down 14-5.

WSU women’s rugby is now undefeated, league champions, and are headed to the regional championships.
blotto on March 13 at 5:41 p.m.
Jobucoug hits the nail on the head––––
EllensburgCoug on March 13 at 5:48 p.m.
The Huskies win the PAC-10 tournament(NCCA bound to boot) and the Cougs are the first team eliminated.
Not good.
coug79 on March 13 at 7:55 p.m.
Praise the Lord, this season is over! Thanks, but I’ve seen enough WSU turnovers, crappy defense, missed wideopen shots and brick free throws to last me until next year.

I’ll renew my b-ball season tickets and give Bone another shot….but I’m really leaning toward dropping my football season tickets. My doctor said I need to reduce stress…dumping my football viewing of WSU games is probably a good start.

Sorry PW.
Cougzz on March 13 at 8:03 p.m.
Bone has made the only rational decision, based on our collapse beginning mid-year. Best to start fresh next season rather than flogging a dead horse this year. Football season ticket renewal deadline is in two weeks so it will be interesting to see how many hang in there. Many will not.
EllensburgCoug on March 13 at 8:20 p.m.
coug79-How are Coug football games stressful? The last couple of years they have been anything but stressful. The games are over before they start.
I renewed. This is when the Cougs neeed us the most. When things look the bleakest.
kevin99 on March 13 at 8:28 p.m.
You want to know why we are not playing in post season, I will tell you why. Our team voted 8-5 after the Oregon game in the locker room not to play anymore. All of kids left and went home for spring break.

I am very scared for this program right now.
wazzuwyatt on March 14 at 7:25 a.m.
I’m worried about this program now, too. But, I also think, or at least hope so, that they Cougs will come back next season, able to shoot better and not make so many turnovers. I have a big of wondering if Bone will be back, too. Fine if he is, I still think.
cccougar1985 on March 14 at 8:44 a.m.
Remember the warning that Tony Bennet gave last year? This team was young and overachieved early on, only falling to K State (big 12 tourney finalist) and Gongaga (after giving up a double digit lead late in the game). The Pac 10 schedule was long and gueling to this team. They learned some huge lessons this year which will pay dividends in the future.

If you look back in Cougar Basketball history, you will recall teams that showed indications of greatness but couldn’t finish; going on to the following season and doing very well, making the big dance. I really think that you are looking at a team who will do very well next year. They need to refresh, get in the weight room to get stronger to handle the rigors of the Pac 10 season, and build upon the season they had this year. Everyone (except Nik) comes back next year stronger, smarter and a lot more mature and poised. You will see a difference.
blotto on March 14 at 9:08 a.m.
Its always NEXT year–––––––––––––––-
MikeSequim on March 14 at 1:24 p.m.
“Decides not to extend season”? That was established opening night of the PAC10 tourney! What an amazing statement. It would be like PW saying they decided not to go to a bowl game after their 1 and forever year. Really? I would suggest some soul searching within the AD, Coaching staff and Players, then suck it up and commit to a rigorous post season effort to get better. That certainly couldn’t hurt, could it? JMO
OlyCoug on March 14 at 2:21 p.m.
Some of you guys are amazing in your pessimism. I’m not the most optimistic guy, either, having suffered through more than three decades of Cougar sports.

But, seriously, some of you want to give up on the basketball team and coach Bone NOW? Already? Key players obviously hit the “freshman wall” and just didn’t have the physical or mental stamina to pull out close games. The team still finished with a winning record. I ask again, how many teams in WSU basketball history finish with a winning record with one senior? My guess is VERY FEW. Add in a first year coach and I’d be surprised if you could find ANY WSU team at all with that combination who had a winning record.

Yes, some of the earlier teams we beat were crap. But we stayed with the good teams early on, too. The late season collapse was dramatic, sure. But there are unfortunately lots of 2-10 streaks in the Cougar annals. It’ll happen again. Not exactly a news flash.

At least give Bone another couple years before you suggest he should be fired. Jeeeeeez.

I predicted the Cougs will be in the NCAAs next year, and I’m sticking to it.
TommyCoug on March 14 at 6:26 p.m.
OlyCoug…”not the most optimistic guy”…”I predicted the Cougs will be in the NCAAs next year, and I’m sticking to it.”

Then,…please tell me what you ARE!!??

“Having suffered through more than three decades of Cougar sports”…Hell, man…you have witnessed some of the all-time highlight reels in Cougar athletics…wait until you lose some hair and get gray in your beard…then we will talk history!

What ever the reason to not go on in the basketball post-season…it was a good one. Especially, if the CBI or worse was the only other option…and I would imagine that it was. A chance to play in the NIT…then, I say play.

Things can’t get much worse than the Cougar sports year 2009-10. The best we can do here is print our complaints, commentary and suggestions here to get it off our chests. Certainly, I do! Continue to buy Cougar game tickets, give to the athletic department, attend as many games as we can, offer our support and cheers which I also do…and look forward to the promise and elation of better Cougar athletic prowess!

GO COUGS!!
blotto on March 14 at 8:02 p.m.
After suffering with the Cougs for fifty years, this has been the best therapy I could’ve wished for! Spring dawns a fresh ,new light on the ole school on the hill & the baseball team is ranked! I’m already feeling a little better!
coreyb on March 15 at 8:20 a.m.
If the team truly voted to not play anymore, I would be really worried. That sounds like there is some serious issues in the locker room. They are either tired of playing with some team mates or for this coach. I am curious to hear how many players are leaving.
DeerLakeRon on March 15 at 12:06 p.m.
coreyb,
That was the first thing I thought of when I heard the players voted. We have players that don’t want to play? WOW
Not sure when exactly the vote was taken, but I hope there was a little wait after a tough loss. So to have better level headed decission making. Cougfan has rumor of one player maybe leaving, but no names mentioned.
I know I am guilty too. And some what ashamed. But the most popular Cougar saying has changed form “Couged it”, too “wait tell next year”. But it has to be because no matter how many threats we make, most of us fans always come back next year!