A Grip on Sports: WSU’s Gueye will soon have to make a big decision with long-term impacts

A GRIP ON SPORTS • No one likes making tough decisions. It may be why ancient man invented currency, just to have a coin to flip when trying to decide whether to hunt or gather dinner. But a big decision is coming up for one Washington State basketball player in a few weeks.

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• In most cases, we to lean toward moving forward. Getting going. Most importantly, taking the money. Of course, we are referring to college basketball players with legitimate professional aspirations. What, you thought we were talking about ourselves?

Nope. We always stayed in the same rut. On purpose. The walls of home are comforting.

Which brings us to the next few months in the life of one Mouhamed Gueye. Unless you are a Cougar basketball fan, you might not know much about Gueye. If you are, then Gueye is a reward for many years in the wilderness. A tall, lithe young man with an unlimited future. Whether the immediate 365 days or so are in Pullman is up in the air.

But let’s just say the past 100 have been illuminating.

Gueye has improved dramatically in his two years on the Palouse. He’s gotten stronger. More assertive. Taken a game that was best described as raw – the 6-foot-11 post from Senegal has only been playing seriously for four years – and polished it up.

He is had gone from a little-used backup last season to a force for the Cougars. How forceful? He averages more than 14 points a game. He grabs more than eight rebounds. And he’s gotten better against the better competition, leading WSU with a 15.4 Pac-12 scoring average.

As this season winds down, and the finally healthy Cougars make a postseason push, Gueye is a key element on both ends. But will the next few weeks be his last in Pullman?

Kyle Smith isn’t sure. He would love to see Gueye return but he’s also realistic. If the time is right for Gueye to enter the pro ranks, the time is right.

“He’s proven enough, in my opinion, that he should have some kind of guarantee at some level,” WSU’s head coach told Colton Clark on Tuesday when asked Gueye’s pro prospects. “It depends on what’s best for his future. Some of the mock drafts, he’s not there. … It’ll be an informed decision. We want what’s best for him.”

Part of that support has to be pointing out how another year in Pullman would help Gueye polish his NBA bona fides. And, as good as he’s been, they need some polishing. Especially on the offensive end. Not to mention a few pounds of muscle wouldn’t hurt.

Pro basketball, no matter where, is just that. Professional. As in a business. College basketball, even in this era, still has a different tenor to it. Part of that is because college coaches have to recruit players to out-of-the-way places. Pullman, by any definition, is out-of-the-way. A good experience with a reward at the end helps future recruiting.

If Gueye stays on the Palouse one more season, he’ll be not only featured, but valued. If he needs to get stronger, he’ll have the opportunity. Need to improve his 3-point shooting? It will be a point of emphasis. Footwork? Balance? Team defense? Whatever is needed will be available. At the pro ranks, there is an investment, sure, but unless Gueye has guaranteed money, it will be swim-or-sink. A replacement swimmer is always available.

No matter what happens over the next few weeks, it would probably behoove the 20-year-old to stay in Pullman and develop one more year. And then look to his bright future.

“He’s starting to blossom here,” Smith said. “I don’t know if the long-term benefit would be to come back, but it’s up to him and we’ll support whatever he does. He owes us nothing. He’s been a great ambassador for the school, a great player and a better person.”

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WSU: Of course, Gueye is the centerpiece of Colton’s story in today’s S-R. We linked it above and here as well. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12 and college basketball, if Colorado is to make a final push, it has to start tonight against USC. … No. 4 UCLA travels to Utah tonight. The Utes will be a bit shorthanded. Not the Bruins. … Arizona has been a conference power a long time. Is that partly due to the conference’s apathy toward the sport? We don’t think so. … Can seven women’s teams make the NCAA Tournament? Sure. Here are the latest conference power ratings. … Could Washington be one of those teams? It’s possible. … Colorado is certainly moving on. … In football news, Jaxson Kirkland has been a force for Washington football for a long time. Now he’s moving on. … We have another Oregon State position preview to pass along, this one from the defense. … UCLA seems to have decided on a new defensive coordinator. … Any changes in conference affiliation would impact Arizona State in a big way. And Utah. … Colorado is still rebuilding its roster.

Gonzaga: Trap game? Sure. The Zags host USD tonight (8, ESPN2), with the showdown with Saint Mary’s looming Saturday. But do the Toreros have enough to trigger the trap? We’re not sure. Theo Lawson has the preview and the key matchup of tonight’s game. … Theo also has another podcast with Anton Watson. You can listen to the Take 22 podcast here. … If the Zag women can win at third-place USD tonight, they will clinch at least a share of another WCC regular-season title and the top seed in the postseason tournament. Jim Allen has a preview. … Elsewhere in the WCC, want to look back at the best games BYU has had in its 12-year run? We have you covered. … Before heading to Spokane, 15th-ranked Saint Mary’s will hold Senior Night against woeful Pepperdine.

EWU: Not every player who has a big part on a successful team is a star during game. Some, like Eastern’s Ellis Magnuson, provide their impact in other ways. Dan Thompson tells us how Magnuson has done that for the Eagles this season. … The Eagles put their winning streak on the line at Weber State tonight. … Elsewhere in the Big Sky, the conference tournament is a chance for everyone, including Montana, to turn a season around. … A Montana State senior has seen the ups and downs. … Idaho State and Idaho are playing for the world’s ugliest trophy.

Preps: Herm Caviness made his mark as the boys’ track and cross country coach at Ferris High. But his influence in those circles around Spokane was even deeper. Caviness died earlier this month at age 88. Mike Vlahovich has his obituary.

Mariners: Ty France was a force in the first half of last season. Then injuries hit. He, and the M’s, need a return of the early season Ty France. … Not everyone thinks the Mariners had a poor offseason.

Seahawks: Nick Bellore coming back could be an indication of another signing.

Kraken: Seattle reached out and developed an unprecedented collaboration.   

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• College basketball’s schedule is a tough slog. Starts in October. Ends in March. For those schools with strong postseason potential, this time of year is fine. For those without? Take heart. The end is near. Until later …