WSU Basketball off to a good start

Today we beat Fairleigh Dickinson 55-33 in a fairly simple victory. Offense was off track for the first half but picked it up down the stretch, and our defense (as always) gave the cold shooters plenty of time to find the net, holding Dickinson to 15 in the first half.

All things considered, the two games in the last week could have been substantially worse for our opposition. Saturday's game saw 5 freshman on the floor at the same time, and tonight's game was barely different, with four playing as we cycled in experienced players. I'm really looking forward to Pitt or Texas Tech so we can put our solid 8 on the floor the entire game, and see what Baynes does with some quality minutes. Ball control does seem to be a serious issue for some of the younger players.

The only thing that worries me so far this year is the potential starting lineup. If Bennett decides to go with Baynes, Rochestie, Thompson, Harmeling, and Koprivica in the Pac-10, our size could be an issue. I hope he'll consider using Koprivica or Harmeling as a sixth man (as Harmeling has been money coming off the bench and off screens) and start Forrest when it comes to the big leagues.

Props to Rochestie on making two absolutely sick assists today, and Caleb for laying himself out scrambling for a loose ball.

In other news, how is ASU ranked in the top 25 and WSU is not? We had all players on the roster but one with over 10 minutes today, while ASU wins 59 to 52 over San Diego State while playing five guys all over 30 minutes. This is the same ASU that let Mississippi Valley State score 64 (and for those of you not keeping score at home, that is a team WSU beat 76 to 25).

Props to Washington for winning one, we all know how tough these season opening games can be. Well, Portland doesn't, but you do. Also congratulations to Arizona tonight on the tough one point loss to UAB (at least UAB is decent).