Koch Arena - great, but

[proshox]

At the beginning of the season Paul did an unofficial poll of opposing players. His question: where do you like to play most. All the "gamers" answered the question with Koch arena. They all mentioned that they look forward to the game based on the building's energy. The energy was off the charts last night and it didn't seem to negatively impact VCU until the second half. Their coach actually seemed to get off on the crowd - each time it would get really loud he would turn to his bench and start clapping and yelling like there was no tomorrow....

With that said, I don't think the crowd could have been any better last night. This team has to realize that every team comes into Koch amped up and the target is firmly planted at the shockers. The consistent theme has been the other teams' extreme focus on executing their game plan which only helps shows the type of focus these teams are bringing.

[wusphlash]

There is no doubt that the Koch atmosphere is one of the best in the country night after night. There are some that will never be satisfied with our crowd's efforts but I won't trade us for anyone. Look in the stands at some of the games on TV, prime time games, and note some abysmal attendance.

We've lost 4 very painful games at home this year. Coaches are to blame, players are to blame, the fans are to blame, take your pick. Everbodys taking shots. Last year we were 17-0 until the NIT. Was last years team better.

Look at the big picture, and I mean several years. This is not the 90's. We defend our home ground very well. I cannot explain why we are struggling this year to protect our turf. There are all kinds of theories. There are no doubts in my mind, however, that we will continue to win the majority of games at home.

[SHOXAAC]

There is no doubt that the Koch atmosphere is one of the best in the country night after night. There are some that will never be satisfied with our crowd's efforts but I won't trade us for anyone. Look in the stands at some of the games on TV, prime time games, and note some abysmal attendance.

We've lost 4 very painful games at home this year. Coaches are to blame, players are to blame, the fans are to blame, take your pick. Everbodys taking shots. Last year we were 17-0 until the NIT. Was last years team better.

Look at the big picture, and I mean several years. This is not the 90's. We defend our home ground very well. I cannot explain why we are struggling this year to protect our turf. There are all kinds of theories. There are no doubts in my mind, however, that we will continue to win the majority of games at home.

Most so-so teams win the majority of their games at home. We are struggling at home this year because we're not tough enough, smart enough, patient enough and dog-gone it, people just exploit it.

[SB Shock]

Re: Koch Arena - great, but

At the beginning of the season Paul did an unofficial poll of opposing players. His question: where do you like to play most. All the "gamers" answered the question with Koch arena.

The thing is WSU players should feed off of this energy and elevate their game to the point where playing in Koch is 40 minutes of hell.

The players should want to come out and put on a beat down and reward their fans who are filling the arena each night. But this team does the opposite, they come out going through the motions and they get OWNED IN THEIR OWN HOUSE. It takes half-time ass chewing to come out the 2nd half to play with any heart.

[wusphlash]

There is no doubt that the Koch atmosphere is one of the best in the country night after night. There are some that will never be satisfied with our crowd's efforts but I won't trade us for anyone. Look in the stands at some of the games on TV, prime time games, and note some abysmal attendance.

We've lost 4 very painful games at home this year. Coaches are to blame, players are to blame, the fans are to blame, take your pick. Everbodys taking shots. Last year we were 17-0 until the NIT. Was last years team better.

Look at the big picture, and I mean several years. This is not the 90's. We defend our home ground very well. I cannot explain why we are struggling this year to protect our turf. There are all kinds of theories. There are no doubts in my mind, however, that we will continue to win the majority of games at home.

Most so-so teams win the majority of their games at home. We are struggling at home this year because we're not tough enough, smart enough, patient enough and dog-gone it, people just exploit it.

Which is why I said look at the big picture. I don't think we have lost our home court advantage, this season not withstanding. I cannot disagree with your reasons for losing these four games. When it got to be 57-59 last night, we made 5 straight trips down the floor where we made bad decisions. Five. I just believe that in the long haul we will experience a major majority of success at home. (Does major get us out of the so-so catagory?)

[SHOXAAC]

There is no doubt that the Koch atmosphere is one of the best in the country night after night. There are some that will never be satisfied with our crowd's efforts but I won't trade us for anyone. Look in the stands at some of the games on TV, prime time games, and note some abysmal attendance.

We've lost 4 very painful games at home this year. Coaches are to blame, players are to blame, the fans are to blame, take your pick. Everbodys taking shots. Last year we were 17-0 until the NIT. Was last years team better.

Look at the big picture, and I mean several years. This is not the 90's. We defend our home ground very well. I cannot explain why we are struggling this year to protect our turf. There are all kinds of theories. There are no doubts in my mind, however, that we will continue to win the majority of games at home.

Most so-so teams win the majority of their games at home. We are struggling at home this year because we're not tough enough, smart enough, patient enough and dog-gone it, people just exploit it.

Which is why I said look at the big picture. I don't think we have lost our home court advantage, this season not withstanding. I cannot disagree with your reasons for losing these four games. When it got to be 57-59 last night, we made 5 straight trips down the floor where we made bad decisions. Five. I just believe that in the long haul we will experience a major majority of success at home. (Does major get us out of the so-so catagory?)

FIXED! :good:

[WuDrWu]

There are plenty of mistakes to go around, but bottom line imho is that we do not consistently take the fight to the other team.

We're 27 games into a season with 10 juniors and seniors and we're STILL ****ing around trying to find a point guard.


We do not attack like we should. We play not to lose far too often. When we attack and take the fight to the other team and play to win, we're pretty darned good.


And frankly, as much as it pains me to say it, we just aren't that good. At least not as good as the bag of goods we were sold.

[wusphlash]

There are plenty of mistakes to go around, but bottom line imho is that we do not consistently take the fight to the other team.

We're 27 games into a season with 10 juniors and seniors and we're STILL #### around trying to find a point guard.


We do not attack like we should. We play not to lose far too often. When we attack and take the fight to the other team and play to win, we're pretty darned good.


And frankly, as much as it pains me to say it, we just aren't that good. At least not as good as the bag of goods we were sold.

Did somebody sell it to us or did we sell it to each other? Every team in the country wants to believe they are better than they really are. We had high, high expectations this year and we propped each other up with them. I think, we, the fans helped with this sale.

[1972Shocker]

And frankly, as much as it pains me to say it, we just aren't that good. At least not as good as the bag of goods we were sold.

I have to agree with this. I don't know how much was the team being oversold and how much was the team being overbought. The fan base was doing a good portion of both the selling and buying.

We are not going to be an at-large team because we are not good enough to be an at-large team.

As Mr. Parcells, one of our distiguished alums, has said -- You are what your record says you are.

[NCAABound]

We just have to hope we don't get a home game in the NIT.

[ShockBand]

This is a good, sometimes very good, but not great team.

[SHOXAAC]

This is a good, sometimes very good, but not great team.

...and many times below average-to-poor when the lights shine the brightest. This goes back to poor situational coaching, poor on court leadership, which equates to playing soft, lacking focus and being undisciplined.

And with all that, we have some reason to believe we can win 3 in STL only because the arena is named something different than Charles Koch Arena.

[ShockBand]

This is a good, sometimes very good, but not great team.

...and many times below average-to-poor when the lights shine the brightest. This goes back to poor situational coaching, poor on court leadership, which equates to playing soft, lacking focus and being undisciplined.

And with all that, we have some reason to believe we can win 3 in STL only because the arena is named something different than Charles Koch Arena.

Situationally at times perhaps, but overall, I disagree. Overall in general I would classify this year's team as a good but not great team.

[pogo]

Wow with this much sunshine being pumped I think I will go slash my wrists. I say we get rid of the whole group from the president on down and start fresh. I'm sure we have alot of qualified administrators, coaches and athletes that will step up and rescue this foundering ship and set it right.

[SHOXAAC]

This is a good, sometimes very good, but not great team.

...and many times below average-to-poor when the lights shine the brightest. This goes back to poor situational coaching, poor on court leadership, which equates to playing soft, lacking focus and being undisciplined.

And with all that, we have some reason to believe we can win 3 in STL only because the arena is named something different than Charles Koch Arena.

Situationally at times perhaps, but overall, I disagree. Overall in general I would classify this year's team as a good but not great team.

The only reason it has been good (your term) is very good talent. Talent doesn't just get rolled out every game and win. It has to be orchestrated with a game plan from the coaching staff; the team has to execute the game plan, which takes coordination and leadership on the floor.

The Shockers haven't played to their "perceived" potential. As you said, this years team is good...good enough for the NIT unless they win 3 iin a row in STL.