NCAA Tournament - WSU vs Drake Pre-Game Predictions and Discussions

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

I know that’s where the Vegas money is going, but all the bracket shows and pundits I’ve seen has had WSU.

We’ve been underdogs more than we’ve been favorites this year. Kinda plays into our hands.

Hope the guys see that the public thinks Drake is winning this one.

That's what makes it intriguing to me. The money is going towards the Shox and yet the spread is going the other way. I am really trying to resist the urge...

[shockersx]

You think i just mention it for shits and giggles?

It just comes off as being bitter about the way we play, and pretty blown out of proportion to say it’s a “basic philosophy” of Coach Brown’s. “Letting dawgs be dawgs” is a pretty common phrase for young athletes to throw around, like Rashard did in his tweet I assume you’re referencing.

[calfan]

Pie, You ask some great questions. So far I have heard a lot more questions than I have heard answers. So far, they know there is a problem, and getting money is going to solve that problem.
The next question to ask is how many problems will paying players create? My fnext question is if I know that starting players are making more money, If I come off the bench am I going to play for me or the team? I would shoot the ball and never pass. Do we then charge players for tuition or meals? Those are just a couple of questions without even really thinking about it.

[pie n eye]

The coach of the team has stated it and it’s one of his basic philosophies. And it also shows up in gameplay.

So no, not overdoing it.

When did Isaac Brown ever say “let dawgs be dawgs”? I’ll hang up and listen.

Gregg Marshall also gave his players the freedom to do their thing on the court as long as they earned it. To not acknowledge that is an oversight. Look no further than McDuffie’s senior year although there are other examples. I don’t see much, if any, difference with Coach Brown.

Gilbert was brought here to be a veteran leader for the team. He is in large part responsible for leading us to a conference championship and NCAA berth. Yes, he’s had some games like Saturday vs Cincinnati where I would prefer he take fewer or at least better shots but he’s also saved our ass in just as many or more games.

Tyson is our best player. If there’s anyone on the team I will live with shooting too often it’s him. Obviously I want him to take the best shots possible but I guarantee you the coaches feel the same way.

Mo talked a lot about working on his three point shot in the off season. He shot one in each of the first two games. He hasn’t attempted a three or even a mid range jumper since then. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

Monzy Jackson came in firing a lot of ill advised shots and drives in his early season appearances. He became much more judicious about his shot selection as the season progressed. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

Trey Wade was shooting too much and at the wrong times early in the season. Some of that was lack of other options when we were down to 8 guys, some of it was him being a senior we expected to contribute while the young guys developed. Both his shot volume and selection have changed throughout the season. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

So, by all means, keep barking your one note even though there’s not much bite behind it.

[ShockerFever]

I just realized you quoted Matty Perrault lol

[wichshock65]

[ShockerFever]

It just comes off as being bitter about the way we play, and pretty blown out of proportion to say it’s a “basic philosophy” of Coach Brown’s. “Letting dawgs be dawgs” is a pretty common phrase for young athletes to throw around, like Rashard did in his tweet I assume you’re referencing.

I’ll reiterate again since you didn’t seem to grasp it the first time. The coach has been quoted as saying this. Not sure how else you’re supposed to take that when a coach says it? Also other players and former players have referred to IB as a players’ coach. That can be good and bad.

Bitter? F yah I’m bitter about how we play. This team could actually be better than it has shown. We take SO many bad shots and run lots of bad offense. If that was cleaned up and there was a tiny bit of accountability for a player doing something bad, we would be talking about a single digit seed right now and feeling pretty cutesy.

The AAC tournament games were perfect examples of the bad in action. If you just wanna forget that since we were team 67 of 68 to make the field, then roast up some marshmallows and enjoy the campfire.

[ShockerFever]

When did Isaac Brown ever say “let dawgs be dawgs”? I’ll hang up and listen.

Gregg Marshall also gave his players the freedom to do their thing on the court as long as they earned it. To not acknowledge that is an oversight. Look no further than McDuffie’s senior year although there are other examples. I don’t see much, if any, difference with Coach Brown.

Gilbert was brought here to be a veteran leader for the team. He is in large part responsible for leading us to a conference championship and NCAA berth. Yes, he’s had some games like Saturday vs Cincinnati where I would prefer he take fewer or at least better shots but he’s also saved our ass in just as many or more games.

Tyson is our best player. If there’s anyone on the team I will live with shooting too often it’s him. Obviously I want him to take the best shots possible but I guarantee you the coaches feel the same way.

Mo talked a lot about working on his three point shot in the off season. He shot one in each of the first two games. He hasn’t attempted a three or even a mid range jumper since then. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

Monzy Jackson came in firing a lot of ill advised shots and drives in his early season appearances. He became much more judicious about his shot selection as the season progressed. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

Trey Wade was shooting too much and at the wrong times early in the season. Some of that was lack of other options when we were down to 8 guys, some of it was him being a senior we expected to contribute while the young guys developed. Both his shot volume and selection have changed throughout the season. That can’t have anything to do with the coaching staff.

So, by all means, keep barking your one note even though there’s not much bite behind it.

I’m not gonna go digging for a quote that was made 4 months ago. So I’m sure that means it didn’t happen right?

[Stickboy46]

Interesting. It’s a hashtag going around among many players right now. I’m not unsympathetic but I am curious what exactly the players are demanding beyond just bringing further awareness to the issue. They want to be paid for the NCAA to use their likeness? Ok. How much? What is fair?

Probably a number higher than zero.

[shockerfan]

I just realized you quoted Matty Perrault lol

OMFG!!! Lol

Dude is still around??

Him and Marshall should meet up for lunch and talk about the good 'ol days. LMAO

[shockerfan]

[Eric]

I like this analysis a lot, and also begs the question on how Dexter but mostly Tyson (who hasn't been going to the basket much) and Alterique (who has been denied at the basket a lot in the latter part of the season) are going to do getting to the basket. If Tyson and especially AG are getting to the cup successfully, we should be in very good shape (and to echo an earlier poster's comment, if Drake can keep AG in front of them and away from the paint, hats off to them).

Are you at the office today?

[pie n eye]

Probably a number higher than zero.

I hope they have a better answer than that.

[pie n eye]

I’m not gonna go digging for a quote that was made 4 months ago. So I’m sure that means it didn’t happen right?

You’re the one who claims he said it so that means the burden of proof is yours.

Rashard absolutely said it.

[shockersx]

I’ll reiterate again since you didn’t seem to grasp it the first time. The coach has been quoted as saying this. Not sure how else you’re supposed to take that when a coach says it? Also other players and former players have referred to IB as a players’ coach. That can be good and bad.

Bitter? F yah I’m bitter about how we play. This team could actually be better than it has shown. We take SO many bad shots and run lots of bad offense. If that was cleaned up and there was a tiny bit of accountability for a player doing something bad, we would be talking about a single digit seed right now and feeling pretty cutesy.

The AAC tournament games were perfect examples of the bad in action. If you just wanna forget that since we were team 67 of 68 to make the field, then roast up some marshmallows and enjoy the campfire.

Honestly I’m just having a hard time recalling him saying that or declaring it one of his basic philosophies. I have no qualms with IB being a players’ coach either.

Yeah I pretty much agree with you on our flaws, but I also have a hard time being sour grapes about the season we’ve had given the circumstances we were dealt. I’d feel a whole lot different about it if we didn’t beat a top 10 team, win our league and go dancing. It’s sucks that we played poorly and lost to Cincy but it’s 1 bad loss. And I would be willing to bet the staff and players know they’re gonna have to take it up a notch to win in the tourney. At some point you gotta give credit where it’s due.

For all the theoreticals you tossed out about playing better and being a single digit seed - we also coulda lost a good chunk of those games decided w/in 5 points and not accomplished anything.