WSU vs SMU Game Thread

[Shaqness]

I don't think the ads/promos are the only problem.
1. Empty seats in the first half
2. Sitting down most off the game is how most enjoy the game.
3. Crowd rarely participates with any cheer.
4. Getting your a$%# kicked on defense night in and night out discourages cheering on one aside of the floor.

Yes, removing the promos would help, but the crowd has been well groomed to sit and passively watch.

[SHOCKvalue]

It really is sad what has become of the CKA atmosphere. It bears no resemblance to the CKA of (say) a decade ago, and the responsibility for that change falls squarely on the athletic department.

For ****’s sake the resolutions are simple:

- Don Hall needs to go. Guy doesn’t understand the vocal differences required between PA-ing a sporting event and recording a TV advertisement for cremation services.

- On the other hand, does it really matter who’s running the mic when I can’t even make out what he’s saying because the volume is so low? Good grief... turn up the damn speaker volume! Why is this not obvious, and why is it so low in the first place? I can barely make out the music in this year’s (awful and terrible... another conversation for another day) intro video. I can hold an office voice level conversation with my neighbor over the PA system during intro/pump up videos. That shouldn’t be.

- And obviously the timeout promos are absolutely killing... and I mean destroying... the proud history of CKA atmosphere. Last night we killed the energy of a CF three at the end of the game so we could wish someone a happy birthday and run the kiss cam. I mean, are you serious? Are those even revenue generating for freak's sake?

- Oh... and I almost forgot about the new security staff at the medal detectors barking orders to the patrons as if we’re all hopping off of train cars at the Dachau concentration camp. You’d think someone would explain to them the significance of using the phrases “please ma’am/sir”, “thank you ma’am/sir”, and adjusting voice inflection from a boot camp instructor. These clowns then standing at the arena bowl exits near/at the end of games, staring everyone down like we’re some sort of bodily threat, is a sweet bonus too. For what purpose is this? Is the crowd - who on average are fairly advanced in age - going to bum rush the court at the end of every game? When has this even happened in the first place at CKA. Asinine!

I don’t know about anyone else, but the athletic department has done so much to obliterate the atmosphere at CKA that I no longer have the excitement to attend games. It is THAT bad (at least from my perspective). We’re in a fantastic new conference, Top 10 team, F4 aspirations, and due to the putrid experience of what CKA has become I’m to the point where I’d be just as content to watch from home (with a much fatter wallet). With the ever-increasing financial pain that comes from season tickets, I’m seriously considering dropping them after this year. Really. It’s just not what it used to be.

But yeah... pretty sure I’m done stroking a fat four-figure check every year to the athletic department for what this experience has devolved to.

[GreatWhiteBuffalo]

It really is sad what has become of the CKA atmosphere. It bears no resemblance to the CKA of (say) a decade ago, and the responsibility for that change falls squarely on the athletic department.

For ****’s sake the resolutions are simple:

- Don Hall needs to go. Guy doesn’t understand the vocal differences required between PA-ing a sporting event and recording a TV advertisement for cremation services.

- On the other hand, does it really matter who’s running the mic when I can’t even make out what he’s saying because the volume is so low? Good grief... turn up the damn speaker volume! Why is this not obvious, and why is it so low in the first place? I can barely make out the music in this year’s (awful and terrible... another conversation for another day) intro video. I can hold an office voice level conversation with my neighbor over the PA system during intro/pump up videos. That shouldn’t be.

- And obviously the timeout promos are absolutely killing... and I mean destroying... the proud history of CKA atmosphere. Last night we killed the energy of a CF three at the end of the game so we could wish someone a happy birthday and run the kiss cam. Are those even revenue generating for eff’s sake?

- Oh... and I almost forgot about the new security staff at the medal detectors barking orders to the patrons as if we’re all hopping off of train cars at the Dachau concentration camp. You’d think someone would explain to them the significance of using the phrases “please ma’am/sir”, “thank you ma’am/sir”, and adjusting voice inflection from a boot camp instructor. These goons then standing at the exits near/at end of games staring everyone down like we’re some sort of bodily threat is a sweet bonus too. For what purpose is this? Is the crowd - who on average are fairly advanced in age - going to bum rush the court at the end of every game? When has that ever even happened in the first place at CKA. Asinine!

I don’t know about anyone else, but the athletic department has done so much to obliterate the atmosphere at CKA that I no longer have the excitement to attend games. It is THAT bad (at least from my perspective). We’re in a fantastic new conference, Top 10 team, F4 aspirations, and due to the putrid experience of what CKA has become I’m to the point where I’d be just as content to watch from home (with a much fatter wallet). With the ever-increasing financial pain that comes from season tickets, I’m seriously considering dropping them after this year. Really. It’s just not what it used to be.

But yeah... pretty sure I’m done stroking a fat four-figure check every year to the athletic department for what this experience has devolved to.

I think I"m done going to the games. I get a better experience at home anymore...plus I don't have to get out and commute 40 min to and from CKA in our wonderful Kansas weather. Also, I don't have to pay $8 for a beer...which I never buy at an arena, but WOW!!

[ShockerFever]

The birthday promo timing couldn’t have been worse. Talk about going a complete 180 in terms of atmosphere in about 5 seconds. All for a birthday promo that they probably made $100 on.

If there’s 8 media timeouts, they need to sell for 5 or 6 spots. They then would have variance in unleashing these series of horrible promos.

The game result sucked but I agree the in-game production is a complete abomination and makes everything even worse. It’s just not as enjoyable watching atmosphere getting killed and sitting through the same mindless drivel every timeout.

[Shoxfan11]

Worst part of it all was the timeout where we had a lot of momentum and they actually didn't do any promos. But instead of letting the band play, they play freaking Sandstorm over the PA system.

[shocker43]

at least it kept the crowd into it.

[1979Shocker]

We are a bad defensive team for the first time in a long time. Losing to hot shooting teams is part of the game for teams without stoppers.

Back in the day teams used to just say they had their worst game of the year against us, night after night, and we we would say "it's not coincidence, it's our defense." Now they have their best game against us, night and after night, and we have to say "it's not coincidence, it's our defense."

The only way to go far in March is to improve.

Back in the day, the teams we were playing weren't as good so it made our defense look better.

[WheatShock]

Back in the day, the teams we were playing weren't as good so it made our defense look better.

That's not actually the case. Just look at what we did to some really good teams in the tournament.

[1979Shocker]

I was talking about the regular season.

[1972Shocker]

Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the other guys, lick your wounds, hitch up your big boy pants and move on. Does this team have some things to work out? Yep, they do. Any reason to panic. Not that I can see, not that the Shocks don't have some work to do. Looking forward to seeing how they snap back against Houston on Saturday.

[Topshock]

That's not actually the case. Just look at what we did to some really good teams in the tournament.

There have been years when our defense would regularly leave the opposing teams best player in tears after the game.

[ShockCrazy]

I thought our best lineup last night was actually the 3-guard offense we ran near the end of the first half and second halves with Landry at PG, Conner at SG, Reeves at SF, and Shaq or Willis at C. We got a lot of good offense because they had to rotate hard to any of our perimeter players while also respecting the drop-ins to Shaq. Put Rashard, Zach, or Markis in at PF for defense and you have a great offense against a zone that utilizes our strengths (shooting, passing) and minimizes our weaknesses (driving), albeit at some cost on defense (either bulk at the 4, or speed on the wings).

I do like the 3 guard lineup. And it's definitely our best offensive lineup. I think what I struggle with most is our 5s are really struggling with screen defense and it's putting a looooot of pressure on help defenders. The reason I like the small ball lineup is it helps with those issues.

[proshox]

Especially when we have two fives on the court at the same time.

I feel like we have missed that college basketball has evolved to the basketball equivalent of the spread offense and we are still game planning as if Villanova didn’t change college basketball a few years back.

[ShockerFever]

Back in the day, the teams we were playing weren't as good so it made our defense look better.

KenPom adjusts for that.

[ShockerFever]

There have been years when our defense would regularly leave the opposing teams best player in tears after the game.

That’s because we had better defensive players and better defensive game plans.

[Topshock]

Yep

[Jhook89]

IMO we lost that game because Gregg was out coached, too many of our players are limited in one facet or another, and SMU (mainly Shake) had an incredibly good shooting night. Jank had a great game plan to slow the game down and take advantage of our poor pick and roll defense or our poor iso defense. Gregg had no answer for Jank's plan. I know Gregg is big on our bigs hedging on the screen, but there are at least 5 times a game that one of our bigs hedge and it leaves a player wide open streaking to the basket. The opposing team doesn't always capitalize on this, but I feel it is a glaring hole in our defense and Jank was able to capitalize on it a few times. Really would of liked to see Gregg try zone at some point in the game. I think that could of helped with them eating us up coming off screens. Also, why was Reeves guarding Milton with under a minute to play?.. Reeves isn't a horrible defender, but with the game on the line he should not be guarding the games best player...

It is games like these that our players limitations really come to light. IMO too many of our guys are one way players. Of our starting lineup only Shamet and Morris are threats on both sides of the floor, with Morris having a tendency to disappear from game to game. Kelly and Brown both are extremely limited on the offensive side. At least Kelly impacts the offensive side with his hustle and offensive rebounding, but both of them are not good shooters and neither can create offense by driving or breaking down a defender.

Though I think his defensive limitations are overplayed, I don't think any one is going to argue that Frankamp is a great defender. Frankamp is a great outside shooter, but I honestly believe the rest of his offensive game is overrated. He is currently shooting 43% from the field, worse than everyone on the team not named Brown or Malone. Even his outside shooting is probably a tad overrated. He is currently shooting 39%, good for 7th out of the 10 players on our team to attempt a 3.

I believe we need to shake up the starting lineup going forward. I would like to see Shamet, Reeves, McDuffie, Kelly, and Morris get the majority of the available minutes. I feel Brown needs to be relegated to 15 mpg player off the bench, coming in for spurts to provide high intensity defense. Though McDuffie is still getting his legs under him I believe he provides a more all around game with a far higher ceiling. I would argue that he has the potential to be a better defender than Brown with the potential to be a strong offensive contributor. I would like to see Reeves and Frankamp switch rolls. To me Reeves is Frankamp, just 5 inches taller. They are both great outside shooters, but Reeves is actually shooting a better percentage from 3 (45% to 39%). I feel they are pretty comparable when it comes to defensive ability, but Reeves length gives him a distinct advantage. Reeves does turn the ball over more than Frankcamp, but he is also a vastly superior rebounder. Basically, I feel Reeves could blossom into a superior version of Frankamp. IMO these tweaks to the lineup could greatly benefit us going forward.

[Topshock]

This is just full of good opinions!

[FadedCrown]

Note: It is not Reeves it is Reaves

[1979Shocker]

McDuffie needs to start. Landry should never sit.

If the other team is going to start out playing zone against us, we need McDuffie to start in place of Brown. Also, I'd go with Willis in place of Kelly. That would give us two more offensive threats. Willis might not be as good a defender as Kelly, but his offense would make up for it. Plus, he's a very good rebounder. I'd rather have 3-4 players (Shamet, Frankamp, McDuffie, Willis) with an outside threat against a zone and 2-3 players (Morris, McDuffie, Willis) as inside threats, then to have only 2 players (Shamet, Frankamp) with an outside threat and 1 or 2 players (Morris, Kelly) with an inside threat.

[proshox]

No. MM is a four. How is this not obvious to everyone?

[1979Shocker]

So in my scenario you'd put McDuffie at the 4 in place of Kelly? And then I guess either leave Brown in or replace him with Reaves?

[WheatShock]

If the other team is going to start out playing zone against us, we need McDuffie to start in place of Brown. Also, I'd go with Willis in place of Kelly. That would give us two more offensive threats. Willis might not be as good a defender as Kelly, but his offense would make up for it. Plus, he's a very good rebounder. I'd rather have 3-4 players (Shamet, Frankamp, McDuffie, Willis) with an outside threat against a zone and 2-3 players (Morris, McDuffie, Willis) as inside threats, then to have only 2 players (Shamet, Frankamp) with an outside threat and 1 or 2 players (Morris, Kelly) with an inside threat.

I agree with you on McDuffie over Brown but not about Kelly. I think we should make an effort to keep RK and ZB from being on the court at the same time except in certain situations. I think we can live with 1 offensively limited guy on the court but 2 is asking a lot.

Start LS, CF, MM, RK, & SM. That's a good offensive lineup and the only subpar offensive player is Kelly who does so many other things well.

Second 5 SHJ, AR, ZB, DW, & RN. Barring dramatic improvement I don't expect SHJ to get a lot of minutes going forward so most of the time LS or CF will be on the floor with AR, ZB, DW, & RN. Still a good offensive lineup with ZB as the only offensive black hole.