By the Numbers: Projecting Washington State Basketball's Offense in 2024

Kyle Smith's Eastern Washington Eagles had an efficient scoring attack in 2023-24.

Keenan Womack | Aug 24, 2024

Nov 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA Eastern Washington Eagles guard Jake Kyman (13) shoots the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When looking back on Kyle Smith's 2023 Eastern Washington Eagles, several numbers pop off the stats page. For one thing, the team averaged a whopping 1.022 points per possession, good for the 96th percentile in the country according to Synergy Sports. This also includes 1.15 points per shot, which was in the 99th percentile, giving Eastern Washington one of the best offenses in the country last season by scoring rate. Smith now looks to bring that offensive prowess to his new gig at Washington State.

Finishing 27th overall in the country in points per game at 80.8, the Eagles also finished fourth in overall field goal percentage at 50.1%, which is due to a confluence of factors. For one thing, they simply had talented players on the roster, a mix of athletes that could create their own shots from the field as well as ones who could create for others.

Wing Cedric Coward, the crown jewel of the Washington State transfer class and the star of the Eastern Washington squad last season, was the primary reason for this offensive explosion. He averaged 15.4 point per game on 56.5% from the field, including a blistering 68.4% on non-threes as well as 38.2% on shots from beyond the arc. He finished in the 96th percentile in points per shot, averaging 1.28 in this category, meaning he was elite in efficient scoring.

Other players like stretch big Dane Erikstrup and playmaking big Ethan Price were excellent on the offensive end as well. Combine that with incoming guard Nate Calmese of Washington, who can facilitate, and the Cougars offense looks like it will be a force to be reckoned with.

Though these players are experiencing a jump in competition moving to a new league, there are a lot of reasons to believe their offensive system will translate to the West Coast Conference. Their multi-pronged scoring attack will allow the creation of mismatches against opposing squads, and could be the key to their long-term success under Kyle Smith.

Published Aug 24, 2024

KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.