2008 Washington State Basketball Predictions

Written October 29, 2008 by Luke Knight

The Washington State Cougars have made two straight NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance last season, under head coach Tony Bennett. The Cougars were 26-9 overall record and 11-7 in the Pac-10. Bennett is 52-17 at Washington State and many thought he would be off to the greener pastures of Indiana or LSU or anywhere else, because for the past two years Bennett has been hotly pursued. Bennett has turned one of the Pac-10’s worst teams into one of the best. The Cougars lose three starters, but return two starters and bring in Bennett’s best recruiting class to date, plus they return Bennett. Keep reading to see if we think the Washington State Cougars will make its third straight NCAA Tournament under Bennett and contend for a Pac-10 title. Head over to BetUS where the Cougars are at +1200 odds to win the Pac-10 Conference.

Senior center Aron Baynes is a bruiser on the court and averaged 10.4 points per game last season. He has the potential to give Washington State a double-double this season if he can stay out of foul trouble. Baynes likely will stay in foul trouble, because he picks up whistles both when he deserves them and when he does not. German import Fabian Boeke, a 6’11” forward from Hamburg, should help Baynes in the frontcourt. Caleb Forrest, a 6’8” senior out of Colorado, should replace Robbie Cowgill. Forrest totaled 10 points in the Cougars two NCAA Tournament wins, and he should get better as his playing time increases. Daven Harmeling, a senior forward, played most of last season with an injured thumb was still a 3-point threat with a cast on his shooting hand. He is mostly a spot-up shooter and needs to work on his mid-range game. DeAngelo Casto, a 6’8” freshman never lost a game in his two years at Ferris High School in Spokane and had 8 blocks in the state championship game. He will be an enforcer-type in his minutes in the frontcourt and brings toughness and athleticism to the Cougar squad. James Watson should also contribute as he plays good defense and handles the ball well.

Taylor Rochestie, the senior point guard, will be the leader of the backcourt. He should be an All-Pac-10 candidate this year. Rochestie averaged 10.4 points per game and 4.7 assists and has the ability to hit big shots from long range. He is an unselfish player both on and off the court. Rochestie gave up his scholarship so Bennett could give it to someone else, which turned out to be Marcus Capers who is a great defender and slasher and could back up Rochestie. Nikola Koprivica, junior guard out of Serbia, seems to seek contact as he drives to the hoop. He will be a year removed from knee surgery so should have a bigger impact this season than last. Klay Thompson is the jewel of the freshman recruiting class. He is a 6’6” swingman and the Cougars hope he can replace Kyle Weaver. Washington State will also be looking for someone to take over Derrick Low’s perimeter shooting and freshmen Nick Witherill and Michael Harthun will get the opportunity.

Final Analysis

The Washington State Cougars under Tony Bennett may benefit the most from the departure of the Lopez twins, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook, and O.J. Mayo. The Cougars bring back enough returners and bring in some solid newcomers, which gives them a good chance to be successful this season. With the success Bennett has had so far at Washington State it is hard to count them out of competing for the Pac-10 Conference title. We have them finishing in the middle of the pack, but this team has a chance to make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. We predict the Cougars will get an NIT bid this season, but keep an eye out on this Cougar team. BetUS has the Cougars at +10000 odds to win the NCAA Championship this season.

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