The Official Shocks vs. Bama Game Thread - Puerto Rican Style

[ShockerFever]

So is Temple a must-win or do we have the whole season to play on national tv, in front of the national pundits?

[T.VuOP]

Alabama is a good defensive team. We shot only 33%. DK 0 for 6; DW 0/2; CH 2/8; BS 5/15 ... Can't win :beaten:

[shockar25]

Toure left his heart out there tonight. Great game Toure.

I think Carl Hall did too. Solid game from him, and unfortunately, he was the only real inside presence we had tonight.

We all knew Alabama was a really good team, and a loss is a loss, but hopefully this will be a learning experience for Stutz.

[RoyalShock]

I'm as frustrated as anyone, but we will not see a defense like that the rest of the year. We also aren't likely to miss that many open 3s (we are better shooters than tonight showed).

Hit a few more of those open 3s, which is taking what the defense was giving us, and this is a different ballgame.

The 14 blocked shots are a concern. But given the way UA was D'ing up, it's not that surprising.

[shoxlax]

So is Temple a must-win or do we have the whole season to play on national tv, in front of the national pundits?

Not a must win but anything worse than 8-3 in non conference even with our tough schedule would not be helpful. A Temple loss would reduce the margin of error that much more.

[proshox]

Well that was disappointing, but many shockers played below their ability. A lot of tournament teams will lose to Alabama.

[shockar25]

I'm as frustrated as anyone, but we will not see a defense like that the rest of the year. We also aren't likely to miss that many open 3s (we are better shooters than tonight showed).

Hit a few more of those open 3s, which is taking what the defense was giving us, and this is a different ballgame.

The 14 blocked shots are a concern. But given the way UA was D'ing up, it's not that surprising.

We've gotta shoot better at the line too. it might not have won the game for us tonight, but it would've made it even more interesting down the stretch.

[pinstripers]

The flop foul on Stutz was big

[proshox]

Also, Alabama's length and athleticism caused many rushed shots. The form changed on about every shot in the last ten minutes.

[Anthroshock]

hopefully this will be a learning experience for Stutz.

Yes, learn not be called for BS fouls. Having him out was a huge issue. Shocks missed his rebounding and the inside out game that would have come with him in.

How many of those 14 were clean blocks?

[fairbanksfan]

Just a couple of thoughts...Hubert Davis mentioned that we didn't really have a go to guy on our team. Toure played a very good all around game tonight but something tells me that if Tekele Cotton had played more minutes earlier in the game, continuity/defensive pressure/playmaking may have been more effective........Just my thoughts. Had Stutz been in last year NIT form, we would have won this game. What the hell do I know. Go Shocks!

[DUShock]

Your not calling this a "bad" loss are you?

No! But the Shocks need to come back to Wichita with 2 wins. A bad loss is a home loss to SIU last year or a meltdown on the road in Evansville.

[shockar25]

Yes, learn not be called for BS fouls. Having him out was a huge issue. Shocks missed his rebounding and the inside out game that would have come with him in.

How many of those 14 were clean blocks?

I don't dispute your point, but whatever it takes he's got to find a way to stay in the game. It all hinges on him--our success this year. Carl Hall is everything we expected him to be, and EO is indeed better, but they can't do what Stutz can when he's effective in the offense.

Hopefully he'll be 'back' and making a big impact on Sunday, and hopefully the refs will throw him a bone or two along the way.

[ShockerFever]

GottliebShow Doug Gottlieb

Wichita State fans chanting NIT,embarrassing # shockers-

EXTREMELY embarrassing if true.

[cjp27]

Win against Temple and this tournament is a success. Lose and we are in the same spot as last year after Maui if not worse. I think it's that simple. Fortunately we have 3 other decent non-con games in Tulsa, UNLV and Utah State as opposed to last year. We win all 4 of those and we are in great shape. Win 3 and we're still sitting in a pretty decent spot.