Defensive principles instilled by Dick and Tony Bennett have led to unprecedented success for WSU, including win over Notre Dame
By Josh Wright
Monday, March 24, 2008
Call it sleep-inducing. Call it crawl ball. Call it whatever you like.
No matter how monotonous Washington State's slow-down style may seem, the Cougars have flourished the last two years by holding tight to an unwavering system. Never has that been more evident than Saturday night at Denver's Pepsi Center.
WSU disrupted Notre Dame's free-flowing offense with clinical efficiency, holding the Irish to half their average output in a 61-41 beatdown in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Cougs, 26-8 and ranked No. 21 in the nation, have garnered an unprecedented bounty of success behind the defensive principles Dick and Tony Bennett brought to Pullman five years ago. They've bagged a school-record 52 wins in two seasons, finished in the top three of the Pac-10 in back-to-back years and made consecutive NCAA tournaments for the first time.
And Saturday, they became the only team in program history to crack the round of 16 in the NCAAs. They'll square off with top-ranked North Carolina on Thursday in the Eastern Regional semifinals in Charlotte, N.C.
What makes WSU's philosophy so effective?
For one thing, the Bennetts convinced a cast of unheralded recruits - Kyle Weaver, Robbie Cowgill, Daven Harmeling, etc. - that the program could be resurrected if they followed their simple but proven tactics. The Cougs rarely push the ball up the court, and they almost always stick to prickly man-to-man defense. It isn't a glamorous method, but it works.
"Honestly, Dick and Tony just deserve all the credit for ... bringing us in here when nobody else wanted to recruit any of us," said Harmeling, a redshirt junior forward. "We bought into their thing. I feel so good for Dick and Tony. It's unbelievable."
Another key factor in the Cougs' blossoming has been the ability to take opponents out of their comfort zone. The Fighting Irish, ranked No. 1 in Division I in assists per game (18.9) and 14th in scoring (80.6), never settled into their typical up-tempo flow.
Stalled by WSU's halfcourt D, they struggled through their worst offensive performance in a quarter-century, missing 40 of 53 shots and compiling a meager seven assists.
Asked how the club was able to stymie Notre Dame, Cowgill replied, "I think first and foremost, just getting back (in transition). They love to run. They want to score in the 80s. They want to push the ball and take quick shots (and) open 3's early. So we knew if we had a chance at this game, we were going to have to get back and make them play halfcourt offense against our set halfcourt D."
All told, the fourth-seeded Cougs surrendered 81 points in the first two rounds. Their next task will be to find a way to reprise the success they found in Denver against the mighty Tar Heels. Led by Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams, a master of the high-speed transition game, UNC trounced Arkansas 108-77 on Sunday.
It was the Chapel Hill club's eighth 100-plus point effort of the season.
"Why not?" Weaver said after Saturday's game. "Let's go. Let's do it. We're at North Carolina. It's an away game. We've won games on the road. We played in the Pac-10, and hopefully it got us prepared for this situation."
---
Wright may be contacted at jwright@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
WSU NOTES: Seniors won't be short-changed
Here's a sidebar I wrote Saturday night ...
By Josh Wright of the Tribune
Sunday, March 23, 2008
DENVER - As time crept along before Saturday's game, Kyle Weaver scrawled a two-word message on a board inside the Cougars' locker room.
"Do more," it read.
The simple memo was directed to all his teammates, but Weaver might as well have been looking his two fellow seniors in the eye. This was their time, he said, to take control. Which is exactly what they did.
Weaver, Derrick Low and Robbie Cowgill were masterful in Washington State's 61-41 rout of fifth-seeded Notre Dame, accounting for 45 points and 16 rebounds. The victory pushes the fourth-seeded Cougars into the NCAA tournament's round of 16.
The veteran trio has helped usher in the most successful two-year span in Cougar basketball history, but another early exit from the Big Dance would have been tough to stomach. Last year, the club was vanquished in double overtime by Vanderbilt in the second round.
"They wanted to win," WSU center Aron Baynes said. "We were in this position last year and we lost it. But this year, we knew what we had to do. I think our thirst was even (greater). The seniors really pulled us through (in) this one."
Added junior Taylor Rochestie, "Our seniors stepped up. It was win-or-go home for all of us, but ... it made it real sweet to just to see them just have a great game together."
Low, Weaver and Cowgill seemed to have an extra dose of intensity throughout the game. There were a couple moments, though, where it really showed.
Midway through the first half, for example, Weaver sent a nifty pass in the direction of the hard-charging Cowgill. As he released the ball, Weaver thought the Cougars were certain to get two easy points out of the exchange.
There was only one problem: Cowgill misinterpreted Weaver's move and stopped cutting to the basket. The ball was deflected out of bounds.
And that's when Weaver lit into his senior teammate, chastising him for not making the right move.
"Me being a senior, I can talk to a senior like that," Weaver said. "I feel like I can be on Robbie. 'Hey, let's get it together.' And I expect the same from him - for him to be on me when he feels like I'm not doing something I should be doing. ... That play just showed how much we wanted to win the game tonight."
Watching the seniors achieve their goal was particularly satisfying for Dick Bennett, who recruited the group to the Palouse. It even topped taking Wisconsin to the Final Four in 2000, he said.
"This is about as happy as I've been," the former Cougar and Badger coach said, "and it's better to be happy for others than yourself."
ROCHESTIE'S DEFENSE - For the second straight game, Rochestie summoned a worthy defensive performance against a dangerous player.
Thursday, he shut down Winthrop's Michael Jenkins, holding him to two points. And Saturday, he limited potent guard Kyle McAlarney to 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
"He really worked," WSU coach Tony Bennett said. "I think he was a little fatigued offensively. (He) didn't have a typical game."
While Rochestie tallied just six points, he doled out seven assists.
OLD STOMPING GROUNDS - The Cougs will play North Carolina or Arkansas on Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., a place that holds extra meaning to Bennett. The second-year coach met his wife, Laurel, while playing there for the Hornets of the NBA.
"That will be very special for our family to go back," he said. "But I'm just very thankful right now for what I've had the opportunity to be a part of."
Etc. - The Cougs won Saturday despite going 4-for-17 from beyond the arc. It was their second-lowest percentage from 3-point range this season. ... This is the second time WSU advances to a third game in the NCAAs. The last time came in 1941, when it lost to Wisconsin in the national championship game. Only eight teams took part in the event back then.
By Josh Wright of the Tribune
Sunday, March 23, 2008
DENVER - As time crept along before Saturday's game, Kyle Weaver scrawled a two-word message on a board inside the Cougars' locker room.
"Do more," it read.
The simple memo was directed to all his teammates, but Weaver might as well have been looking his two fellow seniors in the eye. This was their time, he said, to take control. Which is exactly what they did.
Weaver, Derrick Low and Robbie Cowgill were masterful in Washington State's 61-41 rout of fifth-seeded Notre Dame, accounting for 45 points and 16 rebounds. The victory pushes the fourth-seeded Cougars into the NCAA tournament's round of 16.
The veteran trio has helped usher in the most successful two-year span in Cougar basketball history, but another early exit from the Big Dance would have been tough to stomach. Last year, the club was vanquished in double overtime by Vanderbilt in the second round.
"They wanted to win," WSU center Aron Baynes said. "We were in this position last year and we lost it. But this year, we knew what we had to do. I think our thirst was even (greater). The seniors really pulled us through (in) this one."
Added junior Taylor Rochestie, "Our seniors stepped up. It was win-or-go home for all of us, but ... it made it real sweet to just to see them just have a great game together."
Low, Weaver and Cowgill seemed to have an extra dose of intensity throughout the game. There were a couple moments, though, where it really showed.
Midway through the first half, for example, Weaver sent a nifty pass in the direction of the hard-charging Cowgill. As he released the ball, Weaver thought the Cougars were certain to get two easy points out of the exchange.
There was only one problem: Cowgill misinterpreted Weaver's move and stopped cutting to the basket. The ball was deflected out of bounds.
And that's when Weaver lit into his senior teammate, chastising him for not making the right move.
"Me being a senior, I can talk to a senior like that," Weaver said. "I feel like I can be on Robbie. 'Hey, let's get it together.' And I expect the same from him - for him to be on me when he feels like I'm not doing something I should be doing. ... That play just showed how much we wanted to win the game tonight."
Watching the seniors achieve their goal was particularly satisfying for Dick Bennett, who recruited the group to the Palouse. It even topped taking Wisconsin to the Final Four in 2000, he said.
"This is about as happy as I've been," the former Cougar and Badger coach said, "and it's better to be happy for others than yourself."
ROCHESTIE'S DEFENSE - For the second straight game, Rochestie summoned a worthy defensive performance against a dangerous player.
Thursday, he shut down Winthrop's Michael Jenkins, holding him to two points. And Saturday, he limited potent guard Kyle McAlarney to 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
"He really worked," WSU coach Tony Bennett said. "I think he was a little fatigued offensively. (He) didn't have a typical game."
While Rochestie tallied just six points, he doled out seven assists.
OLD STOMPING GROUNDS - The Cougs will play North Carolina or Arkansas on Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., a place that holds extra meaning to Bennett. The second-year coach met his wife, Laurel, while playing there for the Hornets of the NBA.
"That will be very special for our family to go back," he said. "But I'm just very thankful right now for what I've had the opportunity to be a part of."
Etc. - The Cougs won Saturday despite going 4-for-17 from beyond the arc. It was their second-lowest percentage from 3-point range this season. ... This is the second time WSU advances to a third game in the NCAAs. The last time came in 1941, when it lost to Wisconsin in the national championship game. Only eight teams took part in the event back then.
Looking sweet
Here's my latest game story on Washington State's impressive win over Notre Dame ...
Cougars turn their focus to round of 16 after taking offensive strut out of Irish
By Josh Wright of the Tribune
Sunday, March 23, 2008
DENVER - The Cougars have squeezed a bushel of unforgettable moments into the last two seasons, but this was it. This was the most glorious scene any of them had experienced.
They were coasting against Notre Dame, making its high-powered offense look as feeble as a Ford Festiva. And in the background, Washington State fans were already partying.
In the midst of the merry romp, Taylor Rochestie decided to take a second to bask in the limelight. As Derrick Low launched a picture-perfect 3-pointer from the left wing, he started to backpedal. Then, with the ball sailing through the net, the junior point guard thrust two clenched fists heavenward in exultation.
Eight minutes remained, but Rochestie was sure of this much: For the first time ever, WSU was Sweet 16 bound.
Thanks to Low's dagger and a defense that operated at peak precision, the Cougars smothered the Fighting Irish 61-41 on Saturday in front of 19,299 at the Pepsi Center. The overwhelming victory came in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
"Man, it's a great feeling," Rochestie said. "... For someone like me that just dreams of coming to the tournament as it is, it's kind of indescribable."
It was even more special for the WSU seniors and coach Tony Bennett, all of whom slogged through two straight losing seasons - part of 10 in a row for the once-beleaguered program - before breaking out last year. When the game was over, Bennett took time to rejoice with his father, Dick, who started the rebuilding project in 2003.
It was a performance that left the elder Bennett beaming.
The Cougars (26-8) strangled the Irish in every conceivable way, holding a team that came in averaging 80 points per game to their lowest point total in 25 years. Notre Dame made only 13 of 53 field-goal attempts (24.5 percent), and star sophomore Luke Harangody was handcuffed into a 10-point outing on 3-of-17 shooting.
"(The defense) couldn't be any better," Dick Bennett said from the stands afterward. "They were just on top of it from start to finish."
Now it's on to the Eastern Regional semifinals, where the Cougs will meet the winner of today's North Carolina-Arkansas game. A time for Thursday's contest in Charlotte, N.C., has yet to be determined.
It seems likely WSU will match up with the top-ranked Tar Heels in their backyard. By every measure, it would be the season's stiffest test. But Notre Dame players won't be discounting the Cougs.
"They could go all the way," Irish guard Kyle McAlarney said. "... We were one of the best offensive teams in the country coming into this tournament. We believe that. I think they knew that. So the way they played us tonight, it just shows the rest of the country how good they are."
Wazzu was locked in from the start. It crafted a 32-17 lead with 11 seconds left in the first half when Low sank a fadeaway 3 - a picturesque rainbow shot with two Irish players in his face. Rob Kurz followed with a basket in the lane right before the break, but it was still by far Notre Dame's worst offensive first half of the season.
The previous low mark came against Georgetown, when it managed 25 points. And if you combine Saturday's first half with Winthrop's dreadful second half, WSU yielded a meager 30 points in 40 minutes of NCAA tournament action.
"Man, it feels like a dream right now," said Kyle Weaver, a four-year starter who rang up 15 points and nine rebounds. "I'm still, you know, trying to take all this in as we speak."
Weaver was merely one of several Cougars who put together a clutch effort. Low registered 18 points and played the best defense Tony Bennett said he had seen from the senior. Rochestie came up with seven assists and just two turnovers while Robbie Cowgill finished with 12 points.
There there was Aron Baynes, who made up for a subpar offensive game with 11 rebounds and glimmering defense on Harangody. Notre Dame's powerful 251-pound forward hauled in a career-high 22 rebounds, but he was clearly frustrated by Baynes and the constant traps on the low block.
"It was all right," the 270-pound Aussie said when asked to judge his defensive performance. "I think the team did a real good job on him. There's always room for improvement for myself, but the team defense (was) unbelievable."
Before tipoff, Bennett showed his players a picture of the blank scoreboard before last year's second-round game with Vanderbilt, which the Cougs lost in double overtime. He wanted to remind of them of what it felt like to lose in heartbreaking fashion.
"I said, 'You were in this spot last year before the game,' " Bennett recalled for the media. " 'Remember the thoughts going through your head?' I said, 'What can you do better to get us one step further? What have you learned from this experience?' "
The motivational ploy worked so well that Bennett was able to rip the picture in half in a jubilant locker room after the program's first back-to-back tourney wins in 67 years.
"It's unbelievable, man, just thinking back to last year at this time," reserve forward Daven Harmeling said. "The contrast of feelings of losing to Vandy and now this. Last year's experience makes this so much sweeter because we were right on the edge of the door and we got turned down. But today we just broke through with our defense."
NOTRE DAME (25-8)
Kurz 3-8 2-2 8, Hillesland 0-2 2-2 2, Harangody 3-17 4-4 10, Jackson 2-7 2-2 7, McAlarney 5-13 0-1 12, Nash 0-0 0-0 0, Proffitt 0-0 0-0 0, Peoples 0-0 2-2 2, Abromaitis 0-0 0-0 0, Zeller 0-2 0-0 0, Ayers 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 13-53 12-13 41.
WASHINGTON ST. (26-8)
Weaver 6-11 3-5 15, Cowgill 6-7 0-0 12, Baynes 2-7 2-4 6, Low 6-15 4-4 18, Rochestie 2-8 0-1 6, Koprivica 0-0 0-0 0, Abercrombie 0-0 0-0 0, Cross 0-1 0-0 0, Harmeling 0-1 0-0 0, Henry 0-0 0-0 0, Forrest 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 24-54 9-14 61.
Halftime-Washington St. 32-19. 3-Point Goals-Notre Dame 3-17 (McAlarney 2-8, Jackson 1-2, Harangody 0-1, Ayers 0-2, Zeller 0-2, Kurz 0-2), Washington St. 4-17 (Rochestie 2-6, Low 2-9, Weaver 0-1, Harmeling 0-1). Fouled Out-Forrest. Rebounds-Notre Dame 38 (Harangody 22), Washington St. 37 (Baynes 11). Assists-Notre Dame 7 (Harangody, Jackson 2), Washington St. 14 (Rochestie 7). Total Fouls-Notre Dame 16, Washington St. 15. A-19,299.
---
Wright may be contacted at jwright@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.
Cougars turn their focus to round of 16 after taking offensive strut out of Irish
By Josh Wright of the Tribune
Sunday, March 23, 2008
DENVER - The Cougars have squeezed a bushel of unforgettable moments into the last two seasons, but this was it. This was the most glorious scene any of them had experienced.
They were coasting against Notre Dame, making its high-powered offense look as feeble as a Ford Festiva. And in the background, Washington State fans were already partying.
In the midst of the merry romp, Taylor Rochestie decided to take a second to bask in the limelight. As Derrick Low launched a picture-perfect 3-pointer from the left wing, he started to backpedal. Then, with the ball sailing through the net, the junior point guard thrust two clenched fists heavenward in exultation.
Eight minutes remained, but Rochestie was sure of this much: For the first time ever, WSU was Sweet 16 bound.
Thanks to Low's dagger and a defense that operated at peak precision, the Cougars smothered the Fighting Irish 61-41 on Saturday in front of 19,299 at the Pepsi Center. The overwhelming victory came in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
"Man, it's a great feeling," Rochestie said. "... For someone like me that just dreams of coming to the tournament as it is, it's kind of indescribable."
It was even more special for the WSU seniors and coach Tony Bennett, all of whom slogged through two straight losing seasons - part of 10 in a row for the once-beleaguered program - before breaking out last year. When the game was over, Bennett took time to rejoice with his father, Dick, who started the rebuilding project in 2003.
It was a performance that left the elder Bennett beaming.
The Cougars (26-8) strangled the Irish in every conceivable way, holding a team that came in averaging 80 points per game to their lowest point total in 25 years. Notre Dame made only 13 of 53 field-goal attempts (24.5 percent), and star sophomore Luke Harangody was handcuffed into a 10-point outing on 3-of-17 shooting.
"(The defense) couldn't be any better," Dick Bennett said from the stands afterward. "They were just on top of it from start to finish."
Now it's on to the Eastern Regional semifinals, where the Cougs will meet the winner of today's North Carolina-Arkansas game. A time for Thursday's contest in Charlotte, N.C., has yet to be determined.
It seems likely WSU will match up with the top-ranked Tar Heels in their backyard. By every measure, it would be the season's stiffest test. But Notre Dame players won't be discounting the Cougs.
"They could go all the way," Irish guard Kyle McAlarney said. "... We were one of the best offensive teams in the country coming into this tournament. We believe that. I think they knew that. So the way they played us tonight, it just shows the rest of the country how good they are."
Wazzu was locked in from the start. It crafted a 32-17 lead with 11 seconds left in the first half when Low sank a fadeaway 3 - a picturesque rainbow shot with two Irish players in his face. Rob Kurz followed with a basket in the lane right before the break, but it was still by far Notre Dame's worst offensive first half of the season.
The previous low mark came against Georgetown, when it managed 25 points. And if you combine Saturday's first half with Winthrop's dreadful second half, WSU yielded a meager 30 points in 40 minutes of NCAA tournament action.
"Man, it feels like a dream right now," said Kyle Weaver, a four-year starter who rang up 15 points and nine rebounds. "I'm still, you know, trying to take all this in as we speak."
Weaver was merely one of several Cougars who put together a clutch effort. Low registered 18 points and played the best defense Tony Bennett said he had seen from the senior. Rochestie came up with seven assists and just two turnovers while Robbie Cowgill finished with 12 points.
There there was Aron Baynes, who made up for a subpar offensive game with 11 rebounds and glimmering defense on Harangody. Notre Dame's powerful 251-pound forward hauled in a career-high 22 rebounds, but he was clearly frustrated by Baynes and the constant traps on the low block.
"It was all right," the 270-pound Aussie said when asked to judge his defensive performance. "I think the team did a real good job on him. There's always room for improvement for myself, but the team defense (was) unbelievable."
Before tipoff, Bennett showed his players a picture of the blank scoreboard before last year's second-round game with Vanderbilt, which the Cougs lost in double overtime. He wanted to remind of them of what it felt like to lose in heartbreaking fashion.
"I said, 'You were in this spot last year before the game,' " Bennett recalled for the media. " 'Remember the thoughts going through your head?' I said, 'What can you do better to get us one step further? What have you learned from this experience?' "
The motivational ploy worked so well that Bennett was able to rip the picture in half in a jubilant locker room after the program's first back-to-back tourney wins in 67 years.
"It's unbelievable, man, just thinking back to last year at this time," reserve forward Daven Harmeling said. "The contrast of feelings of losing to Vandy and now this. Last year's experience makes this so much sweeter because we were right on the edge of the door and we got turned down. But today we just broke through with our defense."
NOTRE DAME (25-8)
Kurz 3-8 2-2 8, Hillesland 0-2 2-2 2, Harangody 3-17 4-4 10, Jackson 2-7 2-2 7, McAlarney 5-13 0-1 12, Nash 0-0 0-0 0, Proffitt 0-0 0-0 0, Peoples 0-0 2-2 2, Abromaitis 0-0 0-0 0, Zeller 0-2 0-0 0, Ayers 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 13-53 12-13 41.
WASHINGTON ST. (26-8)
Weaver 6-11 3-5 15, Cowgill 6-7 0-0 12, Baynes 2-7 2-4 6, Low 6-15 4-4 18, Rochestie 2-8 0-1 6, Koprivica 0-0 0-0 0, Abercrombie 0-0 0-0 0, Cross 0-1 0-0 0, Harmeling 0-1 0-0 0, Henry 0-0 0-0 0, Forrest 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 24-54 9-14 61.
Halftime-Washington St. 32-19. 3-Point Goals-Notre Dame 3-17 (McAlarney 2-8, Jackson 1-2, Harangody 0-1, Ayers 0-2, Zeller 0-2, Kurz 0-2), Washington St. 4-17 (Rochestie 2-6, Low 2-9, Weaver 0-1, Harmeling 0-1). Fouled Out-Forrest. Rebounds-Notre Dame 38 (Harangody 22), Washington St. 37 (Baynes 11). Assists-Notre Dame 7 (Harangody, Jackson 2), Washington St. 14 (Rochestie 7). Total Fouls-Notre Dame 16, Washington St. 15. A-19,299.
---
Wright may be contacted at jwright@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2277.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
