COUGARS

Now that we're back in the Northwest, albeit in SeaTac, we have some time to pass along a few thoughts. But before we do, I want you to think of something. The next time you are on a Horizon flight, whether it be one of the airline's small jets or a prop plane. Look around at your leg room. And your head room. Then think if you were 6-foot-4 or taller. How tough it would be. Then think of your favorite college basketball team flying those planes for an hour or two. Just something for you to snack on, intellect-wise. Read on for more Cougar information.
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• We did cover a lot last night in our game story and our postgame post. But we had some more thoughts and will answer a question or two. ... We're going to start with the status of two injured players. DeAngelo Casto missed the game last night with his right foot in a boot, courtesy of a sprained foot. Though foot injuries are tricky, the prognosis is good he'll be back for Sacramento State on Tuesday. ... Reggie Moore is still in a cast. As I've said before, the hope is his bone will heal enough for the sophomore point guard to play against Kansas State. But it is a hope, not a definite yes. So he's still listed as day-to-day. ...

• Someone – I'm too tired to look back and see who – asked about the Cougar defense in the 14-0 run last night. It was fine, as it was all night, but let's look at Fresno State's possessions during the 9-plus minute stretch: Turnover, 3-pointer, 3-pointer, 3-pointer with offensive rebound but two missed free throws, turnover (offensive foul), 3-pointer, close in miss and rebound foul, 3-pointer, 3-pointer, turnover, miss of a front end, 3-pointer, 3-pointer, turnover (offensive foul picked up by Charlie Enquist). Throughout the run WSU was playing mostly 2-3 zone and the Bulldogs were notably lacking in patience. The only shot they took inside the arc was a short jumper in traffic by Jonathan Wills and a follow by reserve point guard Tyler Johnson, who was fouled. If you counted, FSU took eight 3-point shots – they were shooting 17 percent from there coming in – and turned the ball over three times. So the final assessment: The defense packed in, tried to take away the inside and the Bulldogs obliged by taking stupid – no better word for it – outside shots. Make it 25 percent defense, 75 percent FSU's lack of patience. ...

• One last point. Fresno State was quick on the perimeter. The Cougars had trouble keeping the Bulldogs in front of them. Add that to Fresno's horrendous ability to shoot the 3 and you get why there was a lot of zone played. Even with that, WSU gave up way too many baseline drives. That's a problem that has to be fixed before Kansas State comes to town Friday. ... That's it. Now let's get to more links. ... The Fresno Bee had a story on the game, though it's not very in-depth. ... CougFan has one written off the radio broadcast I believe. ... OK, I'm going to sit here and finish up my football story for Sunday's paper – the official kickoff of Apple Cup Week - before I head back to Spokane, where rumor has it there was a little snow. A programming note: We will have a lot of football-related stories this week and we'll get back to our usual morning post, with Pac-10 links, tomorrow morning.

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• That's it for now. Be back later. Until then ...

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