Utah State game thread

[WuDrWu]

My buddy and I were wondering why WSU stuck with the token pressure all second half. USU is a slow paced team that had to speed up their offense to have a chance. Our toke pressure wasn't bothering their guards and more often then not that lead to a quick drive to the basket. I kept waiting for us to actually trap and it never happened. I don't get the strategy up by 21 and I definitely didn't understand it when it clearly wasn't wearing them out or slowing the game down. I think we win easily if we sit back and play solid half court defense in the second half.

We didn't have a great X's and O's second half. The Aggies won every aspect of the game, especially the bench part.

[Kung Wu]

I'm not sure how anyone can say the first half wasn't "too great either". The defense was stifling, we ran the Aggies into the ground, dominated the boards by 10, limited turnovers, played aggressively, took what they gave us and led by 21. Seriously, what more do you expect?

12 fouls in the first half, 31 in the second. As I age, I complain less and less about officiating but that crew, especially hairdo guy, seemed interested in being involved after halftime. I don't think the game was managed well at all. Likewise, neither team adjusted but it was a tale of 2 theories.

I don't think I've ever seen Garrett take that kind of beating, and that says a lot. Thank goodness it was WSU v USU and not Xavier v Cincinnati. It could have been ugly.

I'm sure Aggie fans are frustrated with 4-5, but they have a young team and Stew will have them back to the level they expect sooner than later. I'll say it right now, Utah State is going to be a tough out the rest of the way. Don't be surprised if they finish at or near the top of the WAC and I promise you nobody is going to want to see these guys the next couple of years. That big freshman inside will rule the paint in the WAC for years to come.

Give the Aggies credit for last night. They ran into our A game in the first half, and our A game in CKA beats the hell out of almost every team. They regrouped and played a whale of a 2nd half. Our defense didn't have anywhere near the intensity, but still they made shots and got some confidence and turned it into a game. That being said, when both teams got into the double bonus with about 11 minutes to go, it became obvious to me our goal (right or wrong) was to survive and win the game.

3-0 on the week, whether it was 10 days or 10 months ago, would have been a DYNAMITE outcome for the last 7 days. Stop looking for faults.

This is all just spot on. Nice recap @WuDrWu:.

[pinstripers]

3 wins in 7 days is just pretty damn good.

Officiating was as bad as I have ever seen. There would have been more fouls called in the first half by using the town-team honor system. I just hate that kind of basketball, even though I realize that many enjoy it.

Demetric showed some things on offense, but he really had trouble keeping his man in front of him.

Cotton picked a guy face-to-face (again).

No sellout. Have we had one this year?

Is there a story to TM's attire?

Side Pockets had 16 ounce Landshark (in cans) for $1.50 last night.

[forevershockerfan]

The Shocks pulled 3 out of 3 which makes us happy. However, we have to shore up the turnovers if we are to be successful on the road. Stutz had 4 which is a rarety. However his 3 blocks, 3 assists, and 8 rebounds was a plus. We still out rebound the other teams and our throws last night was decent at 71.4%.

Carl Hall is catching on quickly and is shoring up our game inside. Cotton moves his feet on D. as good as any Shocker Freshman I remember from the past. Toure' is playing a nice game with an emphasis on his 7 rebounds and 4 assists last night. Kyles may have that special Senior year that we have all yearned for on both sides of the court. Rags has taken over the leadership at the point this Season that was slow to develop last Season. We have 5 Seniors that were in our rotation with ample minutes last Season including our solid NIT showing. So what does it all mean? Stay tuned but "so far, so good."

[Ricardo del Rio]

I think we became timid on defense because the refs were calling EVERYTHING on us underneath. Once I saw Garret just let the guy go buy so he wouldn't foul him, and the ref still blew the whistle.

I agree with this sentiment, especially in the 2nd half.

In the first half, there were several occasions, where our guys were fouled in the paint, but no call.

[1972Shocker]

One of the more positive aspects I take away from the Utah State and Tulsa games is how the guys responded at crunch time. This has not always been a strength. We especially let a few games last year get away from us late in the game. If we can consistently respond late in games like we have against Utah State and Tulsa I think we will be a happy fan base.

Toure made a bad decision late against Temple but he certainly seems to have learned from it if the last two games are any indication.

[shock]

Is there a story to TM's attire?

I assume you mean the socks? And the tshirt instead if a warmup? The tshirt is for luck. I have no idea about the socks. Style? Maybe comfort? He could grow a foomanchu and as long as he keeps up his performance it wouldn't bother me a bit. The guy is a baller.

[Kung Wu]

Ok, I forgot to post this after the game ... but something was bugging me a little and I just wanna see if I am insane here.

Has anybody noticed a couple of our seniors developing an almost arrogant "strut" that wasn't there in the past few years -- especially toward the end game? It's that forced slanted shoulder, hands hanging down at your side, walking slowly strut. I think I am noticing that in two and sometimes three of them, but it's kind of a shock when I see it, because it just hasn't been there in times past.

If I am right, I am thinking it's just a hangover from an NIT championship.

But I hope I am wrong because the cocky-gods can sneak up and smack a team.

[wsushox1]

Ok, I forgot to post this after the game ... but something was bugging me a little and I just wanna see if I am insane here.

Has anybody noticed a couple of our seniors developing an almost arrogant "strut" that wasn't there in the past few years -- especially toward the end game? It's that forced slanted shoulder, hands hanging down at your side, walking slowly strut. I think I am noticing that in two and sometimes three of them, but it's kind of a shock when I see it, because it just hasn't been there in times past.

If I am right, I am thinking it's just a hangover from an NIT championship.

But I hope I am wrong because the cocky-gods can sneak up and smack a team.

I'd rather have an arrogant team than one that isn't.

[pogo]

I understand what Wu is talking about and I would rather have a confident player than an arrogant one. ie xavier or cincinnati or you can pick any other big east team.

[Kung Wu]

Yeah, confidence is good. But arrogance can break a team apart if not managed properly. So far no reason to believe it's a problem at this point though.

[Dan]

"swagger" is something we havent seen at wsu for a long time. If our guys have it, that's a good thing.

[Snapshot9]

I believe it will be most visible when we play Creighton! Is everyone ready for a battle Royal when Creighton comes to town. I can't wait, I think we will knock them off their perch.

[WstateU]

I believe it will be most visible when we play Creighton! Is everyone ready for a battle Royal when Creighton comes to town. I can't wait, I think we will knock them off their perch.

They'll look like this when we get done with 'em...

[Kung Wu]

I hope thats what it is.

On the otherhand I wish just a small drop of that attitude juice would land on Garrett.