Shox at Zona

[SB Shock]

We are in a very similar place as KU right now and they just took 2 of 3 from the #1 team in the country. KU is 9-6 and 2-4 against Warren Nolan’s top 100 teams. We are 10-5 and 2-4 against the top 100. I think what this says is there is a lot of equality in college baseball this year and if WSU comes to play we will win but if we go through the motions we will lose no matter who we play.

I don't see WSU and KU in similiar situations. First WSU plays in the 16th ranked conference and not only must do well in the non-conference but must do very well to offset the suckitude of the MVC. KU plays in the 3rd best conference.

2nd, you use the Top 100 split for comparison but I think when you break it down KU is already in a much stronger position with a couple wins over LSU.

KU vs Top 50: 2-2
WSU vs Top 50: 0-2

KU vs Top 51-100: 0-2
WSU vs Top 51-100: 2-2

[shockfan89_]

I understand what you are saying. Not sure if it is better to be 0-2 vs the top 50 or 0-2 vs. 51-100. I think you could argue it both ways. Bottom line is at this point in time we are both 2-4 against the top 100. Outside of the LSU series KU has probably looked less impressive than WSU against very similar schedules. The problem isn't that WSU doesn't have the talent and has only played well against poor teams, the problem is WSU just blew a HUGE chance to solidify themselves in the rankings and KU took advantage of their opportunity. We have just looked TERRIBLE the last 3 games.

I agree KU's conference limits their need for quality OOC wins. My comparison was more based on KU's win/loss and level of competetion at this point in the season.

If we can turn things around and win 2 of 3 this weekend things will look much better. IF!

[sandyrains]

JET LAG

[1972Shocker]

No doubt the team has some issues to deal with, especially for a program that takes pride in being built on pitching and defense.

Yes, it is still early and it is possible that things could turn north as quick as they went south.

However, I wonder if this team will be up to handling the burden of high expectations. Gotta get those sphincters loosened up and PLAY ball.

Only time will tell for sure how and whether this team will respond.

[William]

another note: The shocker teams of the 80s and 90s didn't measure themselves against KU :shock:

[Shirley Schmidt]

The shocker teams of the 80s and 90s didn't measure themselves against KU

You are correct my good buddy Billy boy, it just shows how far the program has fallen.

[ICT Ragman]

At least we haven't been to two Super Regionals in the last three years. Oh wait, we have.

Please don't let a miserable and absolutely brutal west coast road trip let you confuse the 'program' with the 'team' of the last week or even last year. Sorry for the perspective. Carry on.

[KC Shox]

At least we haven't been to two Super Regionals in the last three years. Oh wait, we have.

Please don't let a miserable and absolutely brutal west coast road trip let you confuse the 'program' with the 'team' of the last week or even last year. Sorry for the perspective. Carry on.

Perhaps comparisons would not have been had our losing streak not occurred at the same time KU was beating #1 LSU twice at their place. Something we only wish we could do right now. Many are right though, let's see how this team rebounds this weekend weather permitting. We sweep WSU and ORU then this 4 game disaster will almost be forgotten.

[Hill Sitter]

I don't care about KU, OU, OSU, Creighton, Nebraska, SW MO or anyone else besides the Shockers. And every team I mention has cycled up, down and in between -- and has been to Omaha -- during the Gene era. We have survived just fine and indeed thrived facing good geographical and conference competition for 30 years.

[shockfan89_]

The shocker teams of the 80s and 90s didn't measure themselves against KU

You are correct my good buddy Billy boy, it just shows how far the program has fallen.

I think the measurement that really matters is the one taken at the end of the season. ICT Ragman is correct, It is hard to say we have fallen far based on the recent success of the baseball program. IF this is a 4 game skid and we rebound to the team we were the first 11 games, everyone will go back to being excited.

I am not sure if this is a WSU fan behavior or just a fan behavior but it seems like we start off the season good (basketball and baseball) and people start expecting a National Championship and then we hit a skid and people act like we suck. I have said it over and over on the basketball board that we need to find some reality with our expectations. Obviously from my posts on Wed. this team isn't meeting my expectations RIGHT NOW. I didn't think we would go 5-0 on our West coast trip but I sure didn't expect us to fold like we did after losing a close game to LBSU on Saturday either!!!

[SB Shock]

The shocker teams of the 80s and 90s didn't measure themselves against KU

You are correct my good buddy Billy boy, it just shows how far the program has fallen.

I think the measurement that really matters is the one taken at the end of the season. ICT Ragman is correct, It is hard to say we have fallen far based on the recent success of the baseball program. IF this is a 4 game skid and we rebound to the team we were the first 11 games, everyone will go back to being excited.

I am not sure if this is a WSU fan behavior or just a fan behavior but it seems like we start off the season good (basketball and baseball) and people start expecting a National Championship and then we hit a skid and people act like we suck. I have said it over and over on the basketball board that we need to find some reality with our expectations. Obviously from my posts on Wed. this team isn't meeting my expectations RIGHT NOW. I didn't think we would go 5-0 on our West coast trip but I sure didn't expect us to fold like we did after losing a close game to LBSU on Saturday either!!!

Of course what happens at the end of the season is the final determiner of the success or failure of the program. But that doesn't mean you can't make periodic assessment along the way. Plus we are getting to the point where you can get a pretty good Idea of the character of the team. Now we have seen 2 extremes - which extreme is this team closer 2.

I think what is most concerning about the west coast debacle is not losing but the way they lost. They didn't respond very well to adversity. Wsu teams in the past seem to thrive on adversity

[shockfan89_]

The shocker teams of the 80s and 90s didn't measure themselves against KU

You are correct my good buddy Billy boy, it just shows how far the program has fallen.

I think the measurement that really matters is the one taken at the end of the season. ICT Ragman is correct, It is hard to say we have fallen far based on the recent success of the baseball program.

Of course what happens at the end of the season is the final determiner of the success or failure of the program. But that doesn't mean you can't make periodic assessment along the way.

I don't think that was intended as a periodic assessment. However, I TOTALLY agree with your assessment regarding the West Coast trip.