WSU VERSUS UNLV PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[60Shock]

Based on how we have played so far this season, UNLV should blow us out of the water. We turn the ball over way too much, our shooting has been inconsistent, what FTs we do shoot have frequently missed the mark, and our rebounding leaves a lot to be desired. Still . . . . .

Rebels 73
Shocks 75

[ShockerFever]

WSU -2

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-...dds/las-vegas/

I would think that'd swing over to UNLV's side with anybody laying money down on this one with half a brain.

[pie n eye]

If we can't sell this game out our Athletic Dept needs to start thinking about a different approach to filling up the arena.

The General Admission section (I refuse to call it a student section this year because, because for as weak as the students are they might as well be the grandparents section) is key to a great atmosphere. The rest of the arena feeds off what the student section does and when they're too shy/self conscious or whatever to get loud and crazy it makes for a bit of a flat atmosphere.

I understand that it's easier to make a fool of yourself, yell, etc. when other people are doing the same thing. The lower part of the GA section needs the upper part to get equally involved. That's not going to happen unless they can fill the section with students.

In the past I've always maintained that if you win the student section will take care of itself but I think it's fairly obvious at this point that we can't expect the students to fill up GA by themselves. The athletic department needs to recognize that, due to apathy, busy schedules, lack of information, whatever, the students need some help showing up to the basketball games. I tried to brainstorm a few wasy they might accomplish this.

1) Go directly to the source. If the students aren't willing to visit the Heskett Center, RSC, or ticket office to pick up their free tickets then go visit them at their classes. Print out 2000 or more tickets and just start handing them out between classes, at the RSC, at Greek houses, anywhere students may be. Chances are every person who receives a ticket won't show up but you're more likely to hit 1000 seats. I understand this will cut into the bottom line because it will reduce the amount of GA tickets sold but the tickets are free to students for a reason and they ought to be the ones filling the seats. And it's the athletic departments job to help them. Plus there is the added bonus that more than 1000 might show up and some students are turned away. Everyone knows college kids are intrigued by exclusive events. Maybe next time they pick up their tickets and show up to the game earlier which also helps build the atmosphere.

2) If that doesn't work, is not acceptible to the financial side of the AD, or any other reason then I suggest selling tickets to the general public for $10 rather than $20. I honestly can't understand why they haven't tried this yet. To me they're just being greedy trying to sell a ticket for $20 that has, correct me if I'm wrong, already been paid for by student fees or else already budgeted for as a free ticket. Cutting the price to $10 is advantageous for 2 reasons. You're probably going to sell more tickets at that price which means more butts in the seats and by selling more you reduce the impact of the smaller profit margin @ $10. Which, again, they're making absolutely nothing off empty seats in terms of dollars or improved atmosphere.

3) If it's too much of a burden on the budget to cut the price that low for the general public then keep the $20 dollar tickets for non Shockers and sell 1/2 price tickets to either A) former students with a shocker ID or B) Former students with a shocker ID who are part of the alumni association. These people paid their due to the university at one point in time and not everyone has become successful enough yet to afford season tickets so throw them a bone. It builds loyalty to the university and might just spawn a few future season ticket holders after the economy improves.

Obviously every game is different and this approach can be adjusted for the type of opponent but to a casual observer I think we can do better than the status quo. Also, these types of things will need to be backed off once we are consistently winning the Valley, ranked, going to NCAA tournaments, etc..

[pinstripers]

I suppose that it's possible that many potential buyers just assume that all home games are always sold out.

[shockmonster]

If we can't sell this game out our Athletic Dept needs to start thinking about a different approach to filling up the arena.

The General Admission section (I refuse to call it a student section this year because, because for as weak as the students are they might as well be the grandparents section) is key to a great atmosphere. The rest of the arena feeds off what the student section does and when they're too shy/self conscious or whatever to get loud and crazy it makes for a bit of a flat atmosphere.

I understand that it's easier to make a fool of yourself, yell, etc. when other people are doing the same thing. The lower part of the GA section needs the upper part to get equally involved. That's not going to happen unless they can fill the section with students.

In the past I've always maintained that if you win the student section will take care of itself but I think it's fairly obvious at this point that we can't expect the students to fill up GA by themselves. The athletic department needs to recognize that, due to apathy, busy schedules, lack of information, whatever, the students need some help showing up to the basketball games. I tried to brainstorm a few wasy they might accomplish this.

1) Go directly to the source. If the students aren't willing to visit the Heskett Center, RSC, or ticket office to pick up their free tickets then go visit them at their classes. Print out 2000 or more tickets and just start handing them out between classes, at the RSC, at Greek houses, anywhere students may be. Chances are every person who receives a ticket won't show up but you're more likely to hit 1000 seats. I understand this will cut into the bottom line because it will reduce the amount of GA tickets sold but the tickets are free to students for a reason and they ought to be the ones filling the seats. And it's the athletic departments job to help them. Plus there is the added bonus that more than 1000 might show up and some students are turned away. Everyone knows college kids are intrigued by exclusive events. Maybe next time they pick up their tickets and show up to the game earlier which also helps build the atmosphere.

2) If that doesn't work, is not acceptible to the financial side of the AD, or any other reason then I suggest selling tickets to the general public for $10 rather than $20. I honestly can't understand why they haven't tried this yet. To me they're just being greedy trying to sell a ticket for $20 that has, correct me if I'm wrong, already been paid for by student fees or else already budgeted for as a free ticket. Cutting the price to $10 is advantageous for 2 reasons. You're probably going to sell more tickets at that price which means more butts in the seats and by selling more you reduce the impact of the smaller profit margin @ $10. Which, again, they're making absolutely nothing off empty seats in terms of dollars or improved atmosphere.

3) If it's too much of a burden on the budget to cut the price that low for the general public then keep the $20 dollar tickets for non Shockers and sell 1/2 price tickets to either A) former students with a shocker ID or B) Former students with a shocker ID who are part of the alumni association. These people paid their due to the university at one point in time and not everyone has become successful enough yet to afford season tickets so throw them a bone. It builds loyalty to the university and might just spawn a few future season ticket holders after the economy improves.

Obviously every game is different and this approach can be adjusted for the type of opponent but to a casual observer I think we can do better than the status quo. Also, these types of things will need to be backed off once we are consistently winning the Valley, ranked, going to NCAA tournaments, etc..

It's never been a problem to fill up the student seats (either by students or others) during the Valley Conference season. December non-conference games have always been another matter.

[shockmonster]

This game will be sold out too.

[newshock1234]

Student Section has been sold out for this game since Thursday

[another shocker]

Talk about stating the facts. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

You're quite welcome, Inspector Clouseau *****.

[ABC]

I just bought three tickets online. Section 104 (corner), rows 32.

There are not too many left.

[calfan]

As others have said, WSU guards right now turn the ball over too much.
Against a lesser team, you can do that and win. Against a good team, they make you pay.

WSU will try to go inside. UNLV will clog the lane like they did against North Carolina.
For WSU to win, Kyles amd Smith will have to hit a lot of threes and stop the turnovers.
The fans will have to bring their AAA game.

UNLV will run and shoot threes off the break.
They crash the boards well. They are quick and are ranked.

UNLV-73
WSU-60

[KC Shox]

And after this loss, SN is going to probably blow up. I take that back, it may blow up. I think the majority of Shox fans have seen how our frontcourt play is no where in comparison to last year's squad which is killing us. With our backcourt play not making perimeter shots and committing boneheaded mistakes, it's not giving GS a shot to make this team a balanced offense. Defenses are just packing it down low and telling the Shox to beat them outside which, up to this point, has been a sore spot. It is also apparent that our Senior players we so heavily stressed in the off-season would carry this team to victories has not shown up. With the Valley much improved this season, a 4th or 5th place finish is quite possible if the Shox continue to play like they are currently.

Just my opinion, but it's going to take our very best defensive effort plus shooting way above our average in 3's to pull off the upset.

[Snapshot9]

It was my understanding that UNLV was ranked #18, but today, watching the Gonzaga and Illinois game, Gonzaga is ranked #18.

[SHOXAAC]

I hate to be a sunshine pumper, but some on this thread write as though UNLV will be flawless tomorrow. Yes they did beat the #2 team in the country a week ago. UNC, up by 4 at the half, shot 30% from the field in the second half and only 1-5 from three and were outrebounded by 9. UNLV, to their credit, shot 47% from the field in the second half, were 7-16 from three and outrebounded UNC by 9. UNLV maybe played just a bit above their expectations in the second half to win this one. Even though the tournament game was not played at Thomas & Mack, it was still in Vegas...a home advantage.

We don't have to play a near-perfect 40 minutes, but certainly we have to play better than we have been. Remember, they are coming into the chuck. Doesn't that account for something?

The bottome line is still, this is an oppourtunity game. We have failed terribly during regular season opportunity games in recent memory. This is a high alert win opportunity. To be asked to dance in March, assuming we don't win 3 in STL, this game could very well dictate whether the invite gets sent to Hillside High or not. It's time to win a big game. GO SHOX!!!

[shockerofandover0943]

It was my understanding that UNLV was ranked #18, but today, watching the Gonzaga and Illinois game, Gonzaga is ranked #18.

Different polls. ESPN uses their poll, and UNLV is #20 in that one.

[jwmann2@uky.edu]

If you can't get hyped for a game against a squad that beat North Carolina, then something is wrong with you. UNLV is hot, not sure if they are returning to early 90s UNLV but they will give the Shock all they bargained for.