WSU vs Houston Game Thread.

[wufan]

CJ isn’t bad and he is young. It is yet to be determined if he can be a rotational player in the future. Minutes will be available next year, but new competition will be stiff.

Midtgaard had had a nice block, some decent box outs, and posted up nicely (despite not getting the ball). He also had his hand in the right spot when recovering from a hedge at the top of the key. This resulted in a deflection and was performed exactly as intended. I wouldn’t call him fast down the court as it takes him about a step and a half to get going, but only about 6 steps baseline to baseline. Finally, John Thompson III has some nice things to say about him on the broadcast. He was amazed by his size and proportions.

SHJ finishes just fine. Occasionally he finds himself too deep in the paint without an outlet pass. Jones is good!

[AndShock]

The game is still a tad too fast for AM but he was the only F/C last night who immediately recognized the double team and passed out of it on his first try.

[Cdizzle]

I was actually quite pleased with SHJ floor game last night. Houston is a good team, and he played 17 minutes without a turnover. We didn't hit a lot of shots during that time, but I thought the offense generally moved and there weren't big lapses on defense. He's a guy that this team needs to be able to get 10 minutes out of where the team holds the fort. Sort of like freshman Stay-Ahead Fred.

[shock-it-to-me]

I thought MM played significant minutes as well until I saw that he only had 13 minutes. But the significance for me was his defense when he took over for ZB on Gray. That poor kid was like, "WTF?"

I love AR and agree that he will only get better. The one thing I hope he improves upon, and I know he will, is his turnovers. He telegraphs and launches some lazy passes that get picked off. Needs to clean that up.

Funny you should point out Conner's lack of smiling. I was thinking about that this morning. His demeanor and expression just never seems to change, even when the team is playing like it was in the first 30 minutes last night. So, I'm not sure we'll ever see the young smile while he's in uniform; he's got a game face that doesn't change.

If you have the game recorded, there is a moment in the first half when someone - who I can’t remember - is shooting free throws and Connor and Shaq are in the background at half court and Connor is smiling/chucking at Shaq who’s being goofy. Nice moment.

[Bluzrover]

I do and I'll have to go back and watch for that. Mind you, this is not a complaint. I love Conner's game and am thrilled he transferred to us. Just a casual observation that others have also commented on.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I will post a note on CJ. He is below the offensive efficiency transfer threshold of 90. Every single scholarship player who had an o-rating below 90 has transferred out immediately following the season with that rating with one single exception, Orupke who also had the best d-rating on all those teams, regardless of minutes or years in the program. This list of players who fell below this threshold include: Hamilton, Richardson, Green, Henderson, Taylor, and Hamilton. Now in CJ's favor he has a small sample size right now due to the missed time, and he also was in the same boat last year until he got it together late and creeped just over the line. But right now he is at 77.4, work needs to be done.

That's interesting. You didn't specifically mention Smith, but I assume he was also below 90? From an outsider's perspective it seemed the coaching staff didn't necessarily want him to transfer, so that's why I'm asking.

[ShockCrazy]

Smith was at 112.3(only above CJ and Hamilton of scholarship players). Being above 90 isn't necessarily an indicator a player WON'T transfer(Holland, White, and I'm probably missing one or two), but being below certainly seems to be an indicator a player WILL.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I was actually quite pleased with SHJ floor game last night. Houston is a good team, and he played 17 minutes without a turnover. We didn't hit a lot of shots during that time, but I thought the offense generally moved and there weren't big lapses on defense. He's a guy that this team needs to be able to get 10 minutes out of where the team holds the fort. Sort of like freshman Stay-Ahead Fred.

Exactly. He's also the guy we need to hold the fort while Alo gets up to speed next year.

Cuz at this point, ain't no way Shamet sticks around after this year.

[pinstripers]

That's interesting. You didn't specifically mention Smith, but I assume he was also below 90? From an outsider's perspective it seemed the coaching staff didn't necessarily want him to transfer, so that's why I'm asking.

the others were developing kids, not seniors

[Shaqness]

SHJ finishes just fine.!

Is there a stat that shows most block shots in the paint? That combined with his FG down there?

[Topshock]

Couldn't disagree with all of you more on AM. Wouldn't be surprised if he moves on after this year.

[ShockerFever]

He’s fine at finishing against the Savannah States and Arkansas States of the world. He needs to realize he’s simply not gonna get to the rim and put up 20 against AAC competition. His hands are still sticky and he has a lot of JUCO still in him.

[WstateU]

CJ must be able to play as guard, or must be able to play as a forward. Right now he can do neither. We need for CJ and AM to produce next year, not be stars next year, but get significant minutes. It's hard for me to see it even if I squint.

[BOBB]

Couldn't disagree with all of you more on AM. Wouldn't be surprised if he moves on after this year.

How would he stack up against any other 7' freshmen we have had (including Paul Miller if we give him heels)? I think he fits in pretty well. Probably more skilled than Orupke, but not as athletic. Not as skilled as Stutz, but significantly stronger. I think right in there with Miller. If he moves on it's of his own accord or I will drink a warm 40 of Schlitz.

[Topshock]

I'll keep that in mind, of course according to shockernet every player that leaves does so "of his own accord "

[jocoshock]

Is there a stat that shows most block shots in the paint? That combined with his FG down there?

Lots of players this year and in the past have had issues finishing at the rim including Ron and Fred. SHJ is still in juco transition mode just like Malcolm "Armdud" was during a stretch of our FF4 season. And yes, I know Malcolm was not a juco transfer. SHJ will be fine.

[WstateU]

How would he stack up against any other 7' freshmen we have had (including Paul Miller if we give him heels)? I think he fits in pretty well. Probably more skilled than Orupke, but not as athletic. Not as skilled as Stutz, but significantly stronger. I think right in there with Miller. If he moves on it's of his own accord or I will drink a warm 40 of Schlitz.

[Aargh]

Here's the 10 3's from the first half - brought to you in less than one minute

https://twitter.com/tayloreldridge/status/949386727172509696?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email&iid=7c968e9c79844a93a9d66fe74c268ba4&uid=832602662&nid=244+272699400