Perimeter Game Deserts Cougars
Washington State sophomore wing Chris Crosby, who sprained an ankle Saturday against Arizona, is questionable for tonight’s home game against Oregon.
His jump shot, like those of several teammates, remains doubtful at best.
Crosby, point guard Blake Pengelly, off-guard Kab Kazadi and wing Steve Slotemaker have made just 31 of 104 field-goal attempts in the Cougars’ past three games.
Poor shooting has been a constant as the Cougars have lost seven straight - their longest losing streak in four-plus seasons under coach Kevin Eastman. At 1-10 in the Pacific-10 Conference, WSU (8-14 overall) is alone in last place.
Oregon has had no such trouble. The Ducks shot 67 percent in the second half of last week’s 97-81 home win against then-No. 6 UCLA, a victory that helped Oregon (10-10) move into sole possession of sixth place with a 5-6 conference mark.
The Ducks hit 6 of 7 3-pointers during one 4-minute stretch, turning a 63-62 deficit into a comfortable lead.
Around the conference
Arizona’s Michael Dickerson has made 131 of his last 218 shots (.601). “It doesn’t matter who is in his face - the man is going to get you,” teammate Jason Terry said. “It can be NBA, World Basketball League, Astronaut League. It doesn’t matter.”
Arizona State (16-8) clinched a winning season with its victory over Washington. Can an NCAA bid be far behind? “We are seriously sending a message to the country and the Pac-10 that we’re for real,” interim coach Don Newman said. A victory over Arizona on Saturday might be enough.
Less than 3 hours after receiving news of his father’s death in the Bahamas, ASU sixth man Urit Kelly had seven points and three rebounds Saturday against WSU. Aziel Kelly died of a kidney condition.
Oregon’s recent home sweep of UCLA and USC was its first since Don Monson’s team did it in 1985-86. Sophomore point guard Mike McShane was one key in the 73-61 victory over the Trojans, hitting three late 3-pointers in a span of 1:42.
Oregon State guard J.B. Bickerstaff scored, was fouled and headed to the free-throw line last week against USC - only to be waved away by the referee so teammate and leading scorer Corey Benjamin could shoot. “Corey just walked up to the line and shot the free throw,” Bickerstaff said. Referee Andy Rios admitted the error. “But it didn’t come at a crucial time,” he said. USC coach Henry Bibby later accused the officials of allowing Benjamin to shoot for his brother, Sonny, on a key offensive foul. The Trojans then tried it with their best free-throw shooter, Adam Spanich, but the refs stepped in. Bibby was furious and filed a complaint with the Pac-10.
USC senior Ken Sims was suspended indefinitely for complaining about his lack of playing time and insulting coaches as the team returned to its hotel following its overtime loss to OSU.
Stanford has lost three of its last four, including last Saturday’s 9 a.m. PST tipoff at Connecticut. But forget the early start: UConn was a superior team, much like Arizona had been the previous week. Both were simply too quick for the Cardinal, particularly in the backcourt. Arizona State also exposed Stanford’s lack of quickness. Brevin Knight is missed.
If Washington doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament, it can blame two losses: a last-second crusher vs. Stanford and last week’s loss at ASU. The Huskies knew the ASU game would be critical, one reason they went through a spirited shootaround on game day, less than 24 hours after a brisk afternoon workout. After the game, captain Chris Thompson was near tears and center Todd MacCulloch sat stunned with cotton stuffed in his bleeding nose. Washington is the only Pac-10 team that hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament appearance in the ‘90s.
Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, on why he favors Cal’s Harmon Gym, which is being renovated, to the New Arena in Oakland: “I learn more about my family background at Harmon.”
, DataTimes