SB Nation Seattle - Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: Cougars Look To Upset Wildcats In Pullmanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2010-12-03T20:45:42-08:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16178592010-12-03T20:45:42-08:002010-12-03T20:45:42-08:00Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: Wildcats Active On The Offensive Glass
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<p>The Washington State Cougars opened the game in a 2-3 zone and have been completely dominated on the glass as a result. The Wildcats pulled down 15 rebounds in the first 12 minutes, nine of which came on the offensive end. It’s those second chance points, and the 15-7 rebound difference, that propelled a Kansas State run, allowing them to pick up some breathing room in Pullman.</p>
<p>The Wildcats are led by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a>’s four rebounds, two of which came on the offensive end. The Wildcat front court has been active, allowing guards to come loose and grab the board.</p>
<p>The Cougs have switched to man defense, perhaps realizing just how terrible they’ve been on the boards. Kansas State is also helping, turning the ball over at a 40 percent rate. The Cougars, however, haven’t been much better, turning it over at a 30 percent clip. It’s been a sloppy game thus far, but Washington State is hanging with Kansas State with just under four minutes to go in the half, 26-20.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2010/12/3/1854283/washington-state-vs-kansas-state-wildcats-offensive-rebounds-curtis-kellyBrian Floyd2010-12-03T20:27:42-08:002010-12-03T20:27:42-08:00Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: Cougs Withstand Early Onslaught, Reggie Moore Back In Action
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<p>The Washington Cougars withstood an early Kansas State onslaught, battling back to knot the game with just under 12 minutes to go in the half. Washington State has stuck with a 2-3 zone defense, forcing plenty of bad Kansas State shots. The downside to the zone? Rebounding. The Cougs are getting punished on the offensive glass, where it seems Kansas State has had a second chance every possession.</p>
<p>Point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100921/reggie-moore">Reggie Moore</a> made his return from a wrist injury to a load ovation partway through the first half. Junior college transfer <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124641/faisal-aden">Faisal Aden</a> had started in his absence, holding his own through the first five games. Shortly after his return, Moore found an opening on the break, laying the ball in with two hands. We’ll see how that wrist holds up as the game progresses, but so far, so good.</p>
<p>The atmosphere at Beasley is electric, as a capacity crowd has braved the elements to support the Cougs on Apple Cup weekend. With 10 minutes to go in the first half, it’s all tied up, 14-14.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2010/12/3/1854264/washington-state-vs-kansas-state-score-update-reggie-mooreBrian Floyd2010-12-03T19:56:18-08:002010-12-03T19:56:18-08:00Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: DeAngelo Casto To Start, Reggie Moore Will Not
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<p>We’re just minutes away from tip-off in Pullman and there is some personnel news to pass along for the Washington State Cougars. Point guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100921/reggie-moore">Reggie Moore</a> is suited-up for the Cougars, but will not start. The point guard injured his left, non-shooting, wrist prior to the season and has missed the first five games because of it. That left wrist is heavily taped, leading one to wonder just how effective he will and what the possibility of aggravating the wrist is. We’ll see how much floor-time he sees.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53731/deangelo-casto">DeAngelo Casto</a>, on the other hand, will start and is showing no ill-effects of his sprained left foot. The center from Spokane, Washington injured his foot in practice, missing the past two games because of it. Casto had the same bounce in his step and quickness he did before spraining his foot, so it shouldn’t be an issue tonight.</p>
<p>The Cougars take-on the No. 5 Wildcats at 8 p.m. on <span class="caps">FSN</span>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2010/12/3/1854233/washington-state-vs-kansas-state-reggie-moore-injury-deangelo-castoBrian Floyd2010-12-03T19:27:33-08:002010-12-03T19:27:33-08:00Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: Pre-Game Thoughts And Notes
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<p>We’re about 45 minutes from tip-off at Beasley Coliseum. Kansas State and Washington State are just finishing up warm-ups and we’ve got a few notes from Pullman. Both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100921/reggie-moore">Reggie Moore</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53731/deangelo-casto">DeAngelo Casto</a> are looking to make returns from injuries and we have a few observations to pass along.</p>
<p>Casto, sidelined the last two games with a sprained foot, went through warm-ups just fine and looks good to go tonight. The junior center was moving well in the shootaround, cutting and spinning with ease. His return will be important, especially on the defensive glass. Kansas State loves to crash the offensive boards, so Casto’s inside presence could be a key for the Cougars.</p>
<p>Moore, on the other hand, may be hampered by his heavily taped wrist, if he plays at all. The sophomore point guard was shooting fine in warm-ups, but dribbling with that injured left wrist may be a problem. Moore is moving around freely, even dunking in the layup line, but the ball-handling and passing is, and will continue to be, an issue for Moore.</p>
<p>We’ll be back just before tip-off with the official word on Moore and the lineups.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2010/12/3/1854194/washington-state-kansas-state-pre-game-notes-reggie-moore-injury-deangelo-castoBrian Floyd2010-12-03T15:16:16-08:002010-12-03T15:16:16-08:00Washington State Vs. No. 5 Kansas State: Cougars Look To Upset Wildcats In Pullman
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<p>A big weekend in the Palouse kicks off tonight as the Washington State Cougars host the Kansas State Wildcats at Beasley Coliseum. The Wildcats come into the game ranked No. 5 in the country at 6-1, only losing to Duke in the CBE Classic. Led by senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26108/jacob-pullen">Jacob Pullen</a>, the Wildcats look formidable again this year, after narrowly missing a trip to the Final Four in last season's NCAA tournament.</p>
<p>Pullen comes into the game averaging 16 points per game, best on the Kansas State squad. The senior is complimented by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99951/rodney-mcgruder">Rodney McGruder</a>, averaging 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26015/curtis-kelly">Curtis Kelly</a>, 10.3 points per game. Kelly had been in coach Frank Martin's doghouse, and was bench for the season's first three games due to practice habits Martin deemed lackadaisical. He's back and has given the Wildcat's a boost since.</p>
<p>The Cougars, at 5-0, are looking for a signature win after easily dispatching lesser teams thus far. With Kansas State coming to town Friday night and Gonzaga visiting next Wednesday, Washington State faces an early make or break week of hoops. The Cougs were impressive last time out, demolishing Sacramento State at home, 84-36. Kansas State, however, presents the first real challenge for the Cougars in a season of high expectations.</p>
<p>Washington State is led by junior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53727/klay-thompson">Klay Thompson</a>. The All-Pac-10 first-teamer is plowing through the non-conference schedule again this year, averaging 22.2 points per game. For his efforts, Thompson was named the Pac-10 player of the week last week.</p>
<p>The Cougars haven't been playing with a full compliment of weapons this season, with both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100921/reggie-moore">Reggie Moore</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53731/deangelo-casto">DeAngelo Casto</a> missing time due to injury. Moore has been dealing with a slightly fractured wrist and is questionable to play tonight. If he is able to go, the sophomore point guard will wear a protective splint. Casto, on the other hand, sprained his foot and has missed the last two games. At last check, he was out of the walking boot he'd been wearing and will play tonight. The Cougars will need all the weapons they can get against a talented Kansas State squad.</p>
<p>Washington State and Kansas State tip-off Friday night at 8 p.m. on FSN. Students began lining up for the game early this afternoon and the environment at Beasley Coliseum should be electric. We'll be there live, covering all the action, so check back for more around game-time.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2010/12/3/2325663/washington-state-vs-no-5-kansas-state-cougars-look-to-upset-wildcatsBrian Floyd