THE RIGHT PIECES FOR SUCCESS

By JIM CNOCKAERT Chronicle Sports Writer

I’d love to say I would have predicted that “upset” of Oregon State coming after Friday’s lopsided win against Evergreen State, but it didn’t surprise me. I saw enough from the Bobcats in that win against the Goo-ee-ducks to recognize that this team has a chance to be something special this season.

First, MSU appears to have all the right, complementary pieces. The front line can be dominating, because Divaldo Mbunga provides a real presence inside. He’ll be even more dangerous if he gets helps from Adian Zamora, Mecklen Davis and Branden Johnson. The ‘Cats can balance that with the outside shooting of seniors Carlos Taylor and Casey Durham and freshman Bobby Howard.

What I like best about the Bobcats is the way they go about their business on the court. If ever there was an opportunity to mail in a game, it was that one against Evergreen, but the ‘Cats played with great effort and intensity. Did they make mistakes? Yep. Did they get careless with the ball? Enough times to give Coach Brad Huse a lot to talk about during practice. But they never stopped hustling, particularly on defense.

MSU players clearly have bought into Huse’s philosophy about how the game should be played. Shooting might not always be on target, but effort and intensity can and should always be there. Taylor’s game against Oregon State is a good example: He’d didn’t have a great shooting night, but he never stopped working, and he was rewarded for that effort at the end of the game.

If the ‘Cats can maintain that kind of effort night in and night out, they’ll make a lot of noise in the Big Sky this season.

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