WSU vs UCF Game Thread.

[shoxlax]

Landry will be fine.

[ShockTalk]

Not So Fun Fact: With 8:00 minutes left in the game, Shamet, Frankamp. and McDuffie had a total of 5 points.

Austin and Shaq played very well tonight.

[ShockTalk]

I just don't understand how people justify his playing time for his defense. Every star player previously got their points with ZB opposite them. And you're right. He's at least 2 or 3 steps slow. I just don't get it. I know the kid tries and effort isn't the issue. And that's probably why he gets as many minutes as he does. But at this point, he just doesn't bring much to the table.

His best year was his freshman year and it really isn't even close.

Mike and Dave gave ZB the defensive player of the game.

[ShockerFever]

Mike and Dave gave ZB the defensive player of the game.

I just... I don't get it.

[Singeril]

Always great to be in the Roundhouse---and tonight there was indeed a better atmosphere (although, there is still room for improvement).
Green ties were ugly---but, they showed some unity (which is important).
Crowd was very supportive and louder than they've been.
Piped in Music was FAR louder than it has been all year. MUCH better attempt by the Athletic Department.
National Anthem was sung a bit louder as well (but is in too low of a key).
"Hey" Cheer was done at a better time.
"War" was done too early.
Nice to have the noise level much more ear threatening.
AR had a nice game...the kid does a lot!
CF continues to struggle.
MM continues to struggle even more.
Willis had one of his best games this year.
Nurger played well.
We moved the ball well the first few minutes...slowed that down a lot in the second half.
Shaq had a good game---but needs to make sure he thanks people for the great assists that made his game look even better.
Didn't like to see Shaq joking with the UCF player while awaiting coming into the game in the 2nd half as they sat at the scorer's table. He needs to get his head in the game and be serious.
Hope Shaq isn't going to feel his injury too long...and hope AR doesn't feel too sore tomorrow either. Too injuries on one play...not good. Glad AR came back into the game.
RK hustled and had a good game...lots of things that don't show up on the boxscore.
ZB had his token 3 pointer...and should have stopped them.
LS played better in the last 10 minutes...but really wasn't good before then.
Promotions seemed fewer (but probably weren't). Nice to not have one in the 2nd half until around 10 minutes left.
LOVED the starting lineup...hope Coach keeps it for a few games.

[WstateU]

Landry will be fine.

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[ShockerFever]

This team had several chances to blow this thing open and just couldn't do it. Definitely a much better effort than the previous one. Intensity was there. The ball moved around well on offense. I thought it was a pretty well played game where a lot of shots that normally go down, didn't.

UCF is one of the worst offensive teams in the country and it showed. To counter, we scored 81 on a damn good defensive team, even minus Tacko Fall.

Refs sucked ASS on both sides. I swear they picked these guys off the JUCO circuit. Almost makes me miss the Valley officiating.

Reeves, Willis and Shaq all brought it strong tonight.

I'm convinced SHJ will never understand the repercussions from driving in the lane against legit competition. Marshall must be ok with it too because it keeps happening. You can see it developing every time and it will NEVER end well. Maybe against Savannah State and Arkansas State it works fine, but not now. And it still keeps happening. So frustrating.

Not sure what to think of LS. I feel he's pressing still and kinda hurried some of his shots. A few of his 3's seemed like they had zero angle to them.

I was happy to see MM get the dunk and especially that 3 at the end. I really, really want him to turn this around. I thought his defense was solid while he was in there, way better than ZB's. He just needs to relax more on the offensive end.

Need to smash Tulsa into oblivion and then get our road swagger back next week.

Oh and after dogging the AD for so long with in-game, A+ at least to them for listening and actually giving a damn tonight. Still a ways to go but obvious improvements have been made. Well done.

[shoxlax]

We had a terrible point guard a couple of years ago that went 4/15 against George Washington in a loss and then followed it up with a 2/6 7 pt performance in an ugly win @Drake. DRAKE. IIRC people were starting to question his game on this board

Same guy put up 19 pts, 7 reb and 5 asts last night against the Atlanta Hawks.

Every player goes through this mess for a game or two or three.

Landry will be fine.

[pinstripers]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20180125_UCF@WICHST/

[WuDrWu]

Austin picked up Taylor a few times and did a more than admirable job guarding him. Reaves Shaq and Willis all played angry. Sucks Shaq twisted his ankle late. He deserved a better finish.

Needed a win, got a win. Go Shocks.

[Stickboy46]

Austin picked up Taylor a few times and did a more than admirable job guarding him. Reaves Shaq and Willis all played angry. Sucks Shaq twisted his ankle late. He deserved a better finish.

Needed a win, got a win. Go Shocks.

Speaking of finishing. I really wish one of those 1 handed slams would have went in for Shaq

[ShockAzs]

Austin plays with the most fire on the team. That dude is a WARRIOR. Great game young man, you're getting better and better.

Edited for adding Kelly in here too. He's a steady beast.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Cincy had a dogfight with UCF 2 weeks ago.

19 pts was the 2nd largest margin of defeat UCF has suffered all year. (West Virginia was only larger margin)

For a Shocker team “in a slump”, I’ll take it.

(That said, probably still headed to the NIT and Landry probably transferring to Drake)

[Dan]

Regarding Shaq, I watched the replay a couple times and it looked like the defenders knee hit him in the shin or knee. I don’t think it’s an ankle issue.

[proshox]

Austin has a good game. He made a few bad passes that completely missed the intended target but he got his ass saved by another teammate busting their ass. He also made some nice plays like his drive and kick to Landry, but didn’t finish because the pass missed the target (two feet to the left of Landry’s hand). If he puts that on target Landry makes a three.

We have to run a set set or two for Landry early. If we would play with one big and more spacing I think we could get him going again. Obviously he is working hard to break out of the slump.

Shaq had a great game. I don’t think he was fouled on the ankle injury. He moved forward about two feet before coming down on the defender’s foot.

Zach was better than some earlier comments mentioned. I am also happy to see him take open corner threes.

I liked SHJ getting some more minutes

i hate our obsession with two post players. Didn’t hurt that much against UCF. I think the fives will play better without the lane clogged and the guards will have more driving lanes.

With 2:35 left WSU finally out McDuffie in his best position. The four.

I like how CF actually remembers the defensive game plan. With a minute left he forced a guy to shoot a theee instead of passing it to an actual shooter. HCGM lost his mind about one of his fouls at halfcourt. I thought that was funny because he was yelling at CF to trap the ball handler mere seconds earlier.