Cougars Looking For A Little Help Jc Transfer Will Have To Do More Than Expected

As the story goes, to get his name, Framecio Little’s mother huddled together a bunch of letters and worked with them until she found a combination that fit.

While it might not be that easy in basketball, right now throwing together combinations and seeing what fits is the only choice for Washington State and its coach, Paul Graham. The Cougars have seven new players and have played only one game.

Forty minutes does not a master plan make.

Whatever combination Graham develops, Little, at least in the early going, has proven he fits. The 6-foot-4 guard/forward was the most consistent player in the Cougars’ 83-55 win over Portland State. He had eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 26 minutes.

“I feel like I’m starting to fit,” he said.

It’s a fit the Cougars need to get comfortable with. Little, a junior transfer from Dodge City JC in Kansas, was to be used as a backup to returning starter Mike Bush. But Bush, WSU’s returning scoring and rebounder, was ruled academically ineligible for the first semester. So, Little was thrust into a starting role.

Now, that role may expand past the first semester. Bush seriously injured his ankle and underwent surgery this week. The coaching staff has not decided whether or not it will redshirt the junior. But bringing Bush back is unlikely.

While Little cannot be expected to step up and fill Bush’s shoes, he at least needs not to have any huge missteps.

No problem, Little said.

“I’ve just got to keep going with the flow,” he said. “Doing what I know I’m capable of doing which is getting rebounds and playing defense.”

Ah, defense. Last season the Cougars allowed 73.1 ppg and 48 percent shoot- ing. Holding opponents to 48 percent shooting may seem pretty good. Less than 50 percent, not bad, right? But only one team in Division I shot 50 percent last year, Samford. Only four other teams shot 49 percent. Colorado State, today’s WSU opponent, shot 47.7 percent last year. In their first game this year the Rams (1-0) shot a staggering 69 percent.

Hold on, though, Graham has already said defense is the backbone of this year’s team.

“On defense you have to lay it on the line,” the coach said.

With players like guards Jerry McNair, Marcus Moore and Little, who might not just be an idle boast. Those players, along with an adequate bench, allow the Cougars to pick up the pressure earlier and maintain it throughout the 35-second shot clock.

Little should be one of the main beneficiaries of this style.

“Framecio can run and he’s got those long arms,” said Graham.

Much like Bush, that allows Little to get into the passing lanes, get some steals and get some easy buckets. That’s where Little is going to get his offense. He has limited range on his jumper.

Against Portland State, the self-described “slasher” scored his points on layups.

“It’s not that I’m really uncomfortable with my jumper,” he said. “It’s just me being ready to shoot the ball. It’s easier for me in transition.”

So far, Little is making the transition to a new up-tempo, aggressive style easier for the Cougars.

“I still have a lot of growing to do,” he said. “I just hope that I keep maturing as the days go by and keep getting better.”