Late night game for men’s hoops

Senior+Will+DiIorio+drives+the+ball+during+a+home+game+against+Cal-State+Bakersfield%2C+Friday%2C+Nov.+8.

Senior Will DiIorio drives the ball during a home game against Cal-State Bakersfield, Friday, Nov. 8.

 

The WSU men’s basketball team is eyeing its second game of the season Saturday night at Beasley Coliseum against the Lamar Cardinals.

Although the Cougars will prepare for the Cardinals like any other game, WSU men’s basketball Head Coach Ken Bone said in a press conference Wednesday the main focus is on what the team needs to do in order to get better as the season progresses.

Part of that improvement is the adjustment the Cougars are still making with their new defensive scheme, which is focused on putting pressure on the opponent.

“It’s what we want to be able to do, but at the same time you got to be careful,” Bone said. “The more you get out and deny the passing lanes, you’re vulnerable, and so we got to be good at doing what we’re trying to achieve and deny passing lanes and sometimes get a steal here and there, but also protect the basket.”

WSU stole the ball ten times in their win against Cal-State at Bakersfield Friday.

“I think we did some great things,” WSU redshirt senior forward D.J. Shelton said. “Our matchup zone was great, we got in the passing lane, got some good buckets on the fast break, so I think it was good. We showed some things we didn’t do in past years.”

Shelton also said he believes the team is improving and adjusting to their new defensive scheme. He said that the team doesn’t make as many mistakes as it did in the past with the new defense.

The Cougars are also conscious of playing with the new “hand-checking” rule that the NCAA enforced this season. The rule prevents a defender from putting his hands or using his forearm on an offensive player, which allows for more scoring opportunities and freedom of movement for the offense.

In the game against Cal State at Bakersfield Friday, officials called a total of 55 fouls

“We’re trying to work on two things: one, driving the ball and at times creating a foul; and two, moving our feet defensively to negate that situation where we’re not just fouling with our hands,” Bone said.

He also said the team will work on their help defense and will prevent isolation matchups.

The starting line-up is another topic for this week’s matchup against Lamar. In the team’s season opener, the starting five was predicated on rounding percentages in practice, which is something Bone said he thinks will increase the intensity in practice, and specifically with rebounding.

“I’m not sure we will be a great rebounding team,” Bone said. “But there’s no doubt our kids understand that there’s emphasis on rebounding and making sure that we take care of our responsibilities of rebounding.”

Lamar enters the game against the Cougars with zero wins and two losses on the season so far. The Cardinals average 56.0 points a game, according to ESPN.com.

The leading scorers for Lamar are junior guard Nimrod Hilliard who averages 18.5 points a game and junior forward Donovan Ross who averages 17.0 points a game, according to ESPN.com.

Tip-off between the Cougars and Cardinals will be Saturday at 9:30 pm in Beasley Coliseum. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.

“We should be ready,” Shelton said.