WSU’S New Men’S Coach Runs A Strenuous Workout Graham’S Doctrine Focuses On Conditioning, Toughness

When basketball practice was over, Mike Bush had to shuffle over for his interview.

One tired step in front of the other, he made it though. And when he did, the Washington State sophomore had this to say about the daily 2-hour-plus workouts under new coach Paul Graham: “It’s intense. Real intense.”

From the opening whistle to the closing wind sprints, Graham works his crew as if it’s the stretch run of the Kentucky Derby and they are 2 lengths behind.

“I want our preseason conditioning to be as tough as they have ever had,” said Graham. “One of the things that helps you in life as well as on the basketball court is your mental toughness.”

One thing that might help the Cougars is a little physical toughness, too. Graham seems to have that covered as well. Take, for instance, the drill in which two players are given blocking pads that look as if they belong on the football field, and they beat up another player as he tries to rebound and get off a shot in the lane.

“You gotta to be tough,” Graham said. “Based on what we have done in the past, I believe we do have to become tough. Especially being that we are short-handed with size.”

And size does matter in the Pac-10.

The Cougars only have one returning player taller than 6-foot-8 and that’s senior jump shooter Chris Crosby. Three players who might help the Cougars out on the inside are 6-7 freshman Milton Riley, 6-8 true freshman Bryan Whitehead and 6-6 transfer Tyrone Evans.

But none has played a Division I game. So Graham is turning his team of guards and forwards into players who will outhustle and outwork bigger teams.

“We have to learn how to compete with everybody,” he said. “I told these players, `Don’t let fatigue turn you into a coward.”’

Recruiting trail

With the early signing period looming, the Cougars seem to be making progress with several top prospects.

According to Pac-West Hoops, a collegiate recruiting service, the Cougars received a oral commitment Sunday night from Tommy Johnson, a 6-4 combo guard from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. Johnson, who visited WSU on Oct. 16, picked the Cougars over Fresno State, among other schools.

The Cougars also got a campus visit from Andrew Zahn. The 6-9 center/forward from Redondo Beach, Calif., is also looking at Arizona and UCLA, but has not had a scholarship offer from either school.

The Cougars may also get a lift in the spring if Marcus Moore arrives. Moore, a 6-5 wing from Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif., became eligible late in the summer and has been linked to WSU.

The early signing period begins Nov. 10.

Slam dunks

J. Locklier won’t be able to play this year because of his transfer status, but the 6-10, 232-pound center is making his presence felt. Last week, the former Miami of Ohio player shattered a backboard during practice. No one at WSU was able to recall the last time someone shattered a backboard. … Eddie Miller, the Cougars’ 6-7 junior forward, has been in and out of Pullman and practice since Saturday attending to family issues. Grahamn said Miller should be back soon and be ready for the season.