The first year of the Kyle Smith era at Washington State won’t be as telling as the second or third, but a program that averaged 11 wins per season under Ernie Kent and never won more than 13 should expect to be more competitive, and more capable on defense, than it has in the past.
Backcourt
When Ahmed Ali elected to transfer in August, it opened up a late roster spot for Smith. The coach spent it wisely, picking up Texas State graduate transfer Jaylen Shead, who started for the Bobcats’ 24-win team in 2018-19 and led the Sun Belt in assist-to-turnover ratio.