Wichita State at Memphis Game Thread

[CBB_Fan]

This game was winnable if we hit free throws and play the last bit of the game better. That's all.

[BOBB]

I certainly agree there are players on this team that have no business playing in the league we're playing in. I've pointed out for several years that there have been MAJOR holes in some of Marshall's recruiting classes. I've been chastised and ridiculed for that.

The perfect example of what I saw as recruiting problems was when VanVleet got hurt and the only backup was Ty Taylor, a Fr who had been an undersized SG in HS. That resulted in moving Baker (an AA SG) from SG to PG, where he was an all-MVC players, instead of an AA player.

When players don't perform, it's either recruiting or player development.

The PG's that Marshall has recruited are Hannah, Armstead, VanVleet, and Fernandes. That's 4 in 13 years. Other than those 4, all the potential PG's have been either HS SG's, or HS "shoot first" PG's. A "shoot first" PG is doomed in Marshall's system. Their mindset is180 degrees opposed to how they need to run games in Marshall's system.

There are 4 post players on the current team. Three of them don't seem to be competitive at the level of the conference we're playing in now. Our PF is 6'6". Our backup PF is 6'5".

It's a credit to Marshall's coaching that the team will likely win maybe 24 or 25 games with the personnel he has to work with. If the personnel he recruited and brought into the program aren't at the level they need to be for this conference, that's on Marshall. Is it possible Marshall's recruiting put some players in a position where it was unlikely they could succeed?

I would like to think that a coach making top-15 $$ with virtually unlimited resources for recruiting (private planes flying around the country) could find some bigs and PG's that would be willing to play for him in this conference, instead of finding players where WSU was probably their top offer. We fool ourselves by looking at the other schools in on our recruits. We've been "in on" and offered many recruits where we had no intention of signing them unless every other option fell through.

I'm hoping Bilau will be an exception to this pattern and that his RS year might knock off some of his rawness.

Be prepared to be called a beaker fan all week for this legit take. I agree the Ty Taylor class was the beginning of our current troubles.

[AZ Shocker]

Ugghhh. Eee-gawds friends. It's over. I think this 13 year run is over. :(

[Aargh]

This game was winnable if we hit free throws and play the last bit of the game better. That's all.

"the game was winnable". "We would have won 3 more games if only for one possession".

So, why are we losing all these "winnable" and one-possession games? Several of the top teams in the league have had multiple OT games.

[Shocker1976]

Yep. Stevenson and Sherfield will be the first to go I think. Everyone looks fed up with Stevenson, and Sherfield is already pouting enough to get benched.

Future recruits are going to start to get wise to why everyone transfers from here after every season, and it's not the facilities or the players.

Why do they transfer?

[Shocker1976]

Better start recruiting some solid bigs right now or just be middle of the pack or worse in this league.

What are you saying?

[Shocker1976]

Since I don't want to get called out again, I will make a positive post.

I really thought this team would be better than they are playing now.

Me too!!!!!!

[Shocker1976]

Been thinking to myself...has this team improved since the beginning of the year? I’m not sure they have. That should be a very high priority for a coaching staff. I don’t see it this year. Last year, yes...but not this year.

Have the Shockers improved this season; good question.

[Shocker1976]

Looks like the need for a major reset like you say. For some reason I don't think Marshall has ever done a major reset in terms of his coaching. Someone like Sampson has probably probably picked himself off the floor and done it a couple of times.

What are you saying? Don't think/post that sh@t; you will upset a number of bromances on this site!

[Shocker1976]

Tonight, I deserve to be trolled. Maybe you don’t, but I do. Made myself look like a damn fool believing in this coaching staff and players. Natura non constristatur, my friend.

Yes!

[Shocker1976]

I know that HCGM talks about having and using a motion offense. Seldom do I ever see it. Other teams must use a "double time motion offense" is the only thing I can figure.

You cannot have good ball movement without good player movement and I don't mean just one player moving. The best shot is also not after the 1st quick pass, but the 2nd. Is it that the players don't move, the players don't know where to move to, or is it the plays? In any case, the buck stops at the top.

Whaaaaaaat?

[Shocker1976]

"the game was winnable". "We would have won 3 more games if only for one possession".

So, why are we losing all these "winnable" and one-possession games? Several of the top teams in the league have had multiple OT games.

Good question!

[kcshocker11]

Hot and ccold team....... This is a sign of youth. Must kick Tulsa's ass.....

[molly jabali]

Still control a bit of destiny.....this is ONE problem with having a lot of same level talent...hit and miss on particular games...

[ShockRef]

What are you saying?

What KB is saying is HCGM and his gang better be out on the recruiting trail 24/7.
They don't just need one or two legit post players. The need at least 3 to replace JE and others who need to find a new home.
I normally don't bang on any players, but there are at least 3 and maybe 4 who are not or will ever be AAC level.

Look, Precious is a bad dude...NBA type dude. But I watched our so-called post players stand and watch in awe of him last night.
In a word, it was abysmal.
PB literally watched/let him move him out of rebounding position over and over.
MU can not shoot, commits his usual dumb foul and can not get off the floor. He would fit in well in the Southland or SunBelt Conference.
AM...never mind.

HCGM needs to send his lieutenants out on the road and not come home until they have solid leads on AAC level post players.

That is all.