Vs. Illinois State game thread

[shockmonster]

Yes! This conference has already proven it will be one of the toughest in the nation and for the Shox, if they want to dance in March, this means they cannot afford to commit the same mistakes they made last season. Let this game be a warning to the Shox that they need to play consistent basketball BOTH halves!

I don't disagree with some of what you say. This conference is one of the best (better than most on here gave them credit). I do agree that consistency is very important. The Shockers can't afford to lay an egg (like last year at home against SIU) and not come out and compete. And I agree that they need to have some consistency during both halves of a game. But there isn't a perfect game. All games/teams have their ups and downs. Both teams are trying to win and ISU is a good team with good players (why they didn't play a good non-conferfence schedule I don't know). All good teams will make runs and close down a game. We played better defensively than against Creighton because we didn't give up easy layups. And in the end, we made some offensive plays when we needed to. We do have some things to work on offensively that we can do better.

[kstarheel]

It was a frustrating game to watch live... primarily the 2nd half. Hall's foul trouble really hurt and we basically quit taking the ball to the hole and settled for 3's. Kyles was awful. He wasn't good on defense and his shots weren't even close in the 2nd half; Smith had his issues too outside of the 1 three he hit.

TM was fortunate to hit that 17 footer, but he played pretty well in the 2nd half compared to the rest of the team. GS made some great moves, but the man just doesn't finish at times. Odd team. They look brilliant for at times; they look like a middle of the road valley team other times. Outside of Hall (when he isn't in foul trouble) there isn't anyone that brings it every game.

[Capitol Shock II]

Add another "W" to the stat page. We just keep plugging away. I'm looking forward to Friday night. Nervous about Sunday night.

[60Shock]

Ok, I get it. After blowing a large lead against CU and losing, we have practiced and practiced this same technique for the last three games against Evansville, SIU, and IS so that now we have it down pat as to how to barely hang on after squandering the lead. Perhaps now we can switch our direction to another angle and perhaps begin practicing how to maintain a large lead.

[1972Shocker]

I'm Shocked... SHOCKED that someone finds a way to think that Stutz' double double was not good enough. 12 and 10 and 4 blocks and he just 'has to play better.' While Hall was just the glue that held us together with his 3 pts and 2 rb and 4 fouls tonight. Ridiculous. It's like you were watching a different game than I was.

I thought Garrett played one of his better defensive games and his board work was good, but I thought offensively he left a lot of points on the floor. Perhaps as many as 8 to 10 due to not finishing strong around the basket. My guess is he would tell you the same thing. It was a good game that could of and probably should of have been a great game.

[1972Shocker]

Ok, I get it. After blowing a large lead against CU and losing, we have practiced and practiced this same technique for the last three games against Evansville, SIU so that now we have it down pat as to how to barely hang on after squandering the lead. Perhaps now we can switch our direction to another angle and perhaps begin practicing how to maintain a large lead.

Yeah this trend is troubling. I'm beginning to think the thrashing we put on Bradley may have been a bad thing. The Braves threw in the towel in that game and the Shocks were able to put it on cruise control and coast to a big victory. Time to disable the cruise control button.

[JCole200]

I thought Garrett played one of his better defensive games and his board work was good, but I thought offensively he left a lot of points on the floor. Perhaps as many as 8 to 10 due to not finishing strong around the basket. My guess is he would tell you the same thing. It was a good game that could of and probably should of have been a great game.

I agree, he would tell you he should have made those shots.. and we all wish he would have. But your standard for Stutz is that he HAS to play 'great' every game.. because as you say "he has to play better" than he did tonight when he had 12/10. He needs what.. a 20/15 game nightly? If this is your standard, you are in for a long rest of the season.

And contrast that with Hall who is the player that kept us in "sync".. he had 3 pts and 2 boards on 0/1 shooting in 24 minutes. I think Hall had his worst game of the season to be honest. He wasn't much of a factor at all.

To me.. this is just more Stutz hate for no reason. You're focusing on what he didn't do, instead of what he did do.. and what he did do is bring a double double on a night when our starting power forward brought nothing offensively, and our guards disappeared for 20 minutes.

I think Paul Suellentrop put it best... "My theory about Stutz is that his talents won’t really be appreciated until next season. When he’s gone, coaches, fans and the media will understand how nice it is to have a player with that size and skill. When he’s here, we tend to focus on what he’s not. Next season, we find out what it’s like without a 7-foot scoring option."

[SubGod22]

That's a great point by Sully!

[pinstripers]

It was also a horrible game by Murry until about 5 to go. Different if you look at the entire body of work.

[Aargh]

It's interesting to note that IlSU's rpi was 102 before the game and it's still 102 now.

[_kai_]

I think Paul Suellentrop put it best... "My theory about Stutz is that his talents won’t really be appreciated until next season. When he’s gone, coaches, fans and the media will understand how nice it is to have a player with that size and skill. When he’s here, we tend to focus on what he’s not. Next season, we find out what it’s like without a 7-foot scoring option."

I think that comment could be carried through to lots of aspects of what people like to complain about on this forum. But that's human nature, focus on what they don't have.

I've said it before, but our success hinges on how well Stutz carries the team. It's not like we have a legitimate back up. If Stutz ever got injured and was out for any significant length of the season, I would pretty much chalk this season up. There are legitimate back ups at every position but Center. It's just something we have to deal with every single game. Sully got it exactly right that we won't realize how much Stutz was a factor in our success until next year, unless EO makes a huge jump in finesse and skill.

[_kai_]

It was also a horrible game by Murry until about 5 to go. Different if you look at the entire body of work.

T has had a very lackluster Senior campaign so far. It's been a bit disappointing, I was hoping he would polish his game up a bit for his Senior year, but he's still making costly turnovers and has a bad shot selection at times in games.

[shockmonster]

Perhaps now we can switch our direction to another angle and perhaps begin practicing how to maintain a large lead.

I know how you practice rebounding, free throws, spacing, pressure defense, etc. but how does one practice maintaining a large lead?

[WuDrWu]

Say what you will, but Toure' pulled our collective arses out of the fire last night when the guys couldn't get ANYTHING the last 15 minutes of the game.

It certainly wasn't a perfect 40 minutes, NO doubt about that, but without Murry we lose.

[shox1989]

It's interesting to note that IlSU's rpi was 102 before the game and it's still 102 now.

Yeah I thought before the game that even if they lost to us they might move into the top 100. It didn't happen.