Wichita State @ Drake - Game & Pre-Game Thread

[ShockTalk]

Fair question about the use (or lack thereof) of the bench and its impact on players' legs and freshness at the end.

Obviously no one anticipates going three overtimes, so expecting Marshall to have used his reserves more to help keep guys fresh for OT is hindsight and thus unreasonable. On the other hand, even late in regulation you aren't going to be as accurate a jump shooter, especially from three land, if your legs aren't fresh (unless, of course, you launch what are basically Larry Bird NBA set shots, which the Shocks don't). So fewer minutes would probably help WSU's long range bombers late in any game -- not just tonight -- and when a team shoots lots of threes as WSU often does, that's a good thing.

I want to clarify that my comments had nothing to do with the fact we ended up playing 3 OTs. It had to do with not trusting a good bench, who has had reasonably good playing experience, to do their roll on the team against an average Valley team in regulation. If we want to press, play tough D, and run the court effectively, that group needs to play more than a couple minutes in the first 40. EO and Cotton played 17, 20, and 16 minutes combined, in worse situations, against Alabama, Temple, and CU. Drake is no Alabama, Temple, or CU. Jake and Evan are also now quite capable of giving the team a few good minutes in regulation.

[shoxlax]

To further Doc's point:

The conversation between MVC leadership and the director of officials should go something like this:

"Call a fair game. Ties or close calls go to the better team or star players because that increases the chance of more wins and more dance revenue for the conference."

Somehow, especially when we and Garrett are involved, it seems to be the opposite.

[newshock1234]

The missed charge was a game changer even tho it went into another OT. I just dont understand they call blatant flop call against Carl Hall on 1 end and miss a guy leaning with his shoulder and run over our guy with perfect position and get no call.

[pogo]

I'm not an expert like many of you, just a first year season ticket holder who really enjoys this team and the games.
But, I do know this- any team can lose a game on any night and it is not one single play, factor, time, or decision that makes it occur - it is the collection of everything on that given night.
The real story is not about what happened last night, but what happens from today forward. This team stilll has a great opportunity to not only make it to, but have success in, the NCAA tourney. They will either move on and find it brings out the best in them as individuals and as a team, or doubt and mistrust will begin to creep in and become a cancer.
See me in March and I'll tell ya how it turned out. ( I think they will finish strong and the loss will make them better . . .).

I agree with everything you say. The real story is what happens from here on out.

[shox1989]

Press more and lengthen the bench.

The Drake only goes 8 players deep. It should have been part of our pre-game strategy anyway to extend our bench to take advantage of The Drake's lack of depth.

Instead of taking advantage of it, we respond by essentially shortening our deep bench to 7 players.

[Snapshot9]

It seems as though Murry is getting his shot back, and Kyles is losing his. Also, Ben Smith is not scoring anywhere near like he did last year. We definately have a late game problem with trying to score when it is close.

[WuDrWu]

Our problems are NOT offensive. I'm not worried about Kyles. You get what you get with him.

[SHOXAAC]

Our problems are NOT offensive. I'm not worried about Kyles. You get what you get with him.

I would agree in general. We routinely score 80 points or more over the course of a 40 minute game (or 55 minutes as was the case last night). My concern is, on occasion, we resemble the deer in the headlights look during crucial times of the game offensively (ie: Temple, Creighton, Evansville x2, Illinois St & Drake). I like our team, but situational leadership is a weakness. Part of that responsibility is coaching and part is on our guards. Just sayin!

[shoxlax]

Our problems are NOT offensive. I'm not worried about Kyles. You get what you get with him.

....saw bits and pieces of it vs. ISU Red at home and UNI on the road but where we really saw it rear its ugly head was the last seven minutes of the Eville game. We did not guard well at all.

[T.VuOP]

Too bad the Beast has become Mr. Cow after CU game

[ShockerFever]

It seems as though Murry is getting his shot back, and Kyles is losing his. Also, Ben Smith is not scoring anywhere near like he did last year. We definately have a late game problem with trying to score when it is close.

Looking at the box score, Toure was 6 of 18 from the field for 33% shooting.

I don't think the ball has to go to him at every situation we need a late-game basket. There are other options.

[another shocker]

Looking at the box score, Toure was 6 of 18 from the field for 33% shooting.

I don't think the ball has to go to him at every situation we need a late-game basket. There are other options.

18 is a lot of shots for him. But the 33% doesn't surprise me. Isn't he a career 30/35% shooter? That's what I expect from him.

[ShockerFever]

18 is a lot of shots for him. But the 33% doesn't surprise me. Isn't he a career 30/35% shooter? That's what I expect from him.

33% shooters shouldn't be taking the majority of the shots.

[forevershockerfan]

Probably our top 7 players have all had some nice moments this Season making baskets or throws at very key times. No 1 player should have to feel they have to do it all for us. A problem last night was Drake was double teaming Stutz a lot in the 2nd half and Hall was getting hammered hard when he even thought about shooting the ball inside, especially in the 2nd half. Soon, instead of the extra difficulty of getting the pass inside without forcing it, or our guards penetrating and dishing, we started settling for clanking 3 pointers. We was whistled for a charge when their flopper was in the little box that disallows that. Stutz does indeed seem get penalized for just being 7 foot and playing so solid this Season as mentioned by the good Doc. When the opposing fans and coaches whine about this, begging for the anti-Stutz-whistle, it seems that they get rewarded for it. Why? Even so, the Season we last won the Valley, we got no favors then either but still overcame all obstacles and just found ways to win.

What will the Shocker psyche and basketball IQ now be with this minor setback now, as we now face plenty of tough games to follow? With mostly upperclassmen, we sure hope that we will take care of our business and not allow others to outsmart, outwill, outhustle, or outplay us and rain on our parade. How bad do we really want to suceed this Season? In my opinion, I think our beloved Shockers want this even more than we can imagine. If this opinion is true, I like our chances to have some nice success this very Season. The Mo State road game this week will be a guidepost as to how tough-minded and focused we are as we now are approaching the final strech of our Season. The old adage goes something as follows. Sometimes, it is not always just how good you start, but more so how strong you kick it in full throttle and peak at the finish line. Stay tuned!!!!!!

[shockerfan]

Maybe a little off topic but I hate the whole...wait until 9 secs left on the clock and then start running the offense. They do this during close games to try and control the clock. The only problem is that play seems to RARELY result in good things. Typically our guards just dribble until they have to take a forced 3 pointer or turn it over. I understand wanting to control the clock, but you also don't want empty possessions at the end of an undecided game. One of my biggest issues.