From: jjungbau@yoda.eecs.wsu.edu (Jim Jungbauer)
Subject: Cougars defeat Canberra
Originator: jjungbau@yoda.eecs.wsu.edu
Organization: Washington State University
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 92 08:14:15 GMT


The Washington State Men's basketball team opened its season tonight
with an 86-68 win over the Canberra Cannons in an exhibition game at
Friel Court in Pullman.  I don't have many stats, so the following is
from memory.


Overview:

Both teams started out slowly, with only a few baskets being scored
in the first five minutes of the game.  The Cougars' offense appeared
a bit uncomfortable moving the ball, mostly I'm sure due to so many new
players playing together for the first time in a game.  They did pull
away though around the middle of the half to take a 28-12 lead (I think).
But they seemed to slack off a bit, especially on offense, as the Cannons
drew to within three, before an Eddie Hill three-pointer gave the Cougs
a six point lead at the half.  The first five minutes of the second half
did not start well, as the Cannons drew to within one point on several
occasions.  But it was Tommie Oatis who almost single-handedly pulled the
Cougars back into a comfortable lead, which they then stretched out to
the 20 point range, and coasted from there.


Tonight's starting five:

G - Bennie Seltzer
G - Eddie Hill
F - Rob Corkrum
F - Mark Hendrickson
F - Fred Ferguson


Tonights three stars:     (I know this isn't hockey, but I'm a hockey fan, 
                           so I'll post my three stars for the night, and
1. Tommie Oatis            I'll continue to do so for all game summaries...
2. Bennie Seltzer          force of habit :-)  )
3. Tony Harris


Individual performances:

* Tommie oatis had probably the best game of his career, playing strong
  throughout both halves.  He used his size effectively inside to score
  some easy baskets, many off of good offensive rebounds.  He finished 
  with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  More impressive to me was his discipline
  on defense, not committing as many silly fouls as he has in the past (I
  think he only had two fouls tonight).  He still has to improve some on
  his position defense, but I think he could be a contributor this year.    

* Bennie Seltzer was his usual steady self, leading the Cougars with 21
  points, and running the break well.

* Tony Harris really impressed me.  His defensive intensity was everything
  we had heard it would be, but his best performance came in transition
  where he made three *spectacular* passes, two no-looks and one behind the
  back, for assists.  He still has to cut down on some of the hand fouls
  (he fouled out late in the second half), but his defense did look good.

* Eddie Hill had a pretty good game.  I don't have any numbers, but I would
  guess he wound up with 15-18 points.  He hit a few threes.

* Fred Ferguson showed some spark for a team that wasn't very intense
  overall.  Early on especially, Ferguson was hustling the most, knocking
  passes away and diving for balls.  He didn't score many points, but he
  really got excited on a couple of turnovers in the second half that led 
  to the Cougars' run, and I think he pumped up the team a little.

* David Vik didn't get a *lot* of playing time, but while he was in there
  he rebounded well, and also hit 2 out of 3 nice jump hooks from about
  the 10 foot range.

* Rob Corkrum had a fairly quiet game.  They went to him quite a bit in the
  early minutes of the game, when he missed a few shots inside.  But I don't
  think he got as much PT as we expected after that.

* Dale Reed, Joey Warmenhoven, and junior walkon Brian Lund got minimal PT.


Notes:

* Tavares Mack will redshirt this season.

* Nathan Erdmann also did not dress.  His hand was wrapped, but I'm not sure
  of what the injury was.

* Kelvin Sampson continued to employ the high-post offense, using two big
  men at the double high post (usually Corkrum and Ferguson when they were
  in there) and essentially three guards (Seltzer, Hill, and Hendrickson).
  He seems to want to stick with this three guard offense, but I'm not sure
  it fits this team like it did last year... we just don't have that huge
  stock of good guards like we did before.  And it seems to be hurting inside,
  where our big men are not able to post up.


Jim
r.s.bk.c contact for the Washington State Cougars
-- 
Jim Jungbauer                 |  Go Vikings, Northstars, Cougars!
jjungbau@yoda.eecs.wsu.edu    | 
EECS Department               |  "Nice move by Bellows... big drive... SCORES!"
Washington State University   |     -- Mike Emrick, 1991 Norris Division Finals
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college,rec.sport.basketball.pro