Wichita State vs. Drake First Four Game Thread

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

National audience.... cuz we got a what, 1.0?

Michigan State vs UCLA was most watched first four ever. No one tuned in to watch WSU v Drake.

[Dan]

We were predicted to lose that game. Not because Drake is some powerhouse, it’s because no one thought we were very good this year. We barely made it in and did not look good all year, even in victory, for the most part. In a lot of ways, the way we went out was probably fitting. I realize a lot of us wanted some fairytale ending but it just wasn’t in the cards for this team. We gotta hope these guys work their asses off over the next 6 months and come back better next season.

[1972Shocker]

We were predicted to lose that game. Not because Drake is some powerhouse, it’s because no one thought we were very good this year. We barely made it in and did not look good all year, even in victory, for the most part. In a lot of ways, the way we went out was probably fitting. I realize a lot of us wanted some fairytale ending but it just wasn’t in the cards for this team. We gotta hope these guys work their asses off over the next 6 months and come back better next season.

Fairytale ending. I think most of us just wanted a win over a wounded and not great Drake team before getting our asses kicked by USC. It's not like Drake played great to beat us. Both teams actually played pretty poorly. The Shocks just out-poorly-played Drake. I would much preferred that Drake beat us because they played a really good game.

[Shocktoberfest]

Fairytale ending. I think most of us just wanted a win over a wounded and not great Drake team before getting our asses kicked by USC. It's not like Drake played great to beat us. Both teams actually played pretty poorly. The Shocks just out-poorly-played Drake. I would much preferred that Drake beat us because they played a really good game.

Ageed! I am less disappointed with this Shocker loss than any we have had in the NCAA tournament. Still sucks. I really wanted to play USC. But was not the least bit surprising. Here's to a great off-season and coming back strong!

[Dan]

Fairytale ending. I think most of us just wanted a win over a wounded and not great Drake team before getting our asses kicked by USC. It's not like Drake played great to beat us. Both teams actually played pretty poorly. The Shocks just out-poorly-played Drake. I would much preferred that Drake beat us because they played a really good game.

I actually thought we would win. What I did not expect was the vaunted Drake defense to hold Tyson to one lousy point.

[pie n eye]

the way we played in front of a national audience was embarrassing

You’re embarrassed because we shot poorly?

Embarrassing would be if we had someone running around acting like Marshall Henderson.

[1972Shocker]

I actually thought we would win. What I did not expect was the vaunted Drake defense to hold Tyson to one lousy point.

I was surprised to see that this game wasn't Tyson's season low for shot attempts but it was his season low in points. Tyson had 5 really off games this season. He was 1-5 and 4 points in the Shocker win at Tulsa, he was 2-9 and 5 points in the win over Newman (also played a season low 21 minutes), he was 1-12 and 5 points in the loss at Memphis , he was 1-8 and 5 points in the win at UCF and then the 0-6 and 1 point in the loss to Drake.

So, based on the science of Dahlism, Tyson average 20.1 per game in 17 of his last 22 games.

He followed up the the Newman game and the Memphis game with two 29 point games against Ole Miss and UCF (who held him to 5 points 10 days later). Not sure there is any common thread in those 5 off games that can account or explain those performances. No doubt Tyson became the guy opposing defenses would focus on slowing down or shutting down.

[Shockm]

I was surprised to see that this game wasn't Tyson's season low for shot attempts but it was his season low in points. Tyson had 5 really off games this season. He was 1-5 and 4 points in the Shocker win at Tulsa, he was 2-9 and 5 points in the win over Newman (also played a season low 21 minutes), he was 1-12 and 5 points in the loss at Memphis , he was 1-8 and 5 points in the win at UCF and then the 0-6 and 1 point in the loss to Drake.

So, based on the science of Dahlism, Tyson average 20.1 per game in 17 of his last 22 games.

He followed up the the Newman game and the Memphis game with two 29 point games against Ole Miss and UCF (who held him to 5 points 10 days later). Not sure there is any common thread in those 5 off games that can account or explain those performances. No doubt Tyson became the guy opposing defenses would focus on slowing down or shutting down.

Fine on what you said but this statement "No doubt Tyson became the guy opposing defenses would focus on slowing down or shutting down." doesn't hold up to scrutiny against Drake. Tyson had several wide open shots from medium range at the free throw line (both for free throws and for 2 point shots). Now, most humans are due to have bad games, and I did see Tyson busting his ass playing defense, but something happened for Tyson to get frustrated and/or rattled. I don't hold the loss against him. He was still our best player in most games. But Tyson, bless his name, did "Pee" down his leg this game and he has a good goal for him to improve. I hope that my saying that he has things to improve on doesn't mean he should average more than 17 points per game. He most likely is a 15-18 ppg player. But his playmaking for others, his shot selection, and especially his free throw shooting (this should go to 85-90% if he is the shooter that he and we think he is).

[Dan]

We’re a better team when we have balanced scoring. One thing that would help us a lot is for Dexter to have a full year of production. He has the tendency to take a backseat when he needs to step up and carry us. He can do it, just not sure he realizes it in himself.

[TheShocktocles]

They weren’t all for AG and Mo, but Drake was excellent at making sure sets for TE were nuked before he touched the ball.

The problem I see in the shocker offense is we simply do not have enough scoring threats on the court. Many times we are playing 3 on 5 or 4 on 5. Its easy for opponents to concentrate on stoping TE under these circumstances. TW was not a threat. IPBC misses wide open shots. CP doesn't even look to score. Other than MU our front line is a joke. We get some inconsistent scoring from freshmen RC4 and MJ but I am not blaming them because they are new to the program.

I watched Houston yesterday. They lost DJ at the beginning of the game and they just kept rolling. Their front line is awesome. They can all defend , rebound, and make MID-RANGE shots. All of Them!!! FW, JG, BG, CH and Reggie Chaney. Because you can't cheat off their front line their guards have more freedom. And they still play tough defense when the shots are not falling.

I sure hope Coach IB goes and get some real men to play on our front line and a point guard that can LEAD and score. This is a tough league and you have to have mentally tough players. And it would be nice if our guys improved their free throw shooting over the summer. Tulane was awesome. When you fouled them they shot lights out. They made you pay for fouling them.. Where are our several players shooting 80% from the free throw line? It sure seems like a lot teams have those kinds of free throw shooters but the Shocks. Go Shocks .

[Shockm]

The problem I see in the shocker offense is we simply do not have enough scoring threats on the court. Many times we are playing 3 on 5 or 4 on 5. Its easy for opponents to concentrate on stoping TE under these circumstances. TW was not a threat. IPBC misses wide open shots. CP doesn't even look to score. Other than MU our front line is a joke. We get some inconsistent scoring from freshmen RC4 and MJ but I am not blaming them because they are new to the program.

I watched Houston yesterday. They lost DJ at the beginning of the game and they just kept rolling. Their front line is awesome. They can all defend , rebound, and make MID-RANGE shots. All of Them!!! FW, JG, BG, CH and Reggie Chaney. Because you can't cheat off their front line their guards have more freedom. And they still play tough defense when the shots are not falling.

I sure hope Coach IB goes and get some real men to play on our front line and a point guard that can LEAD and score. This is a tough league and you have to have mentally tough players. And it would be nice if our guys improved their free throw shooting over the summer. Tulane was awesome. When you fouled them they shot lights out. They made you pay for fouling them.. Where are our several players shooting 80% from the free throw line? It sure seems like a lot teams have those kinds of free throw shooters but the Shocks. Go Shocks .

Houston also has an old style coach who yells, and screams at his players non-stop. He is relentless and never gives up or stops. He doesn’t change his ways no matter what.

[pinstripers]

You’re embarrassed because we shot poorly?

Embarrassing would be if we had someone running around acting like Marshall Henderson.

embarrassed cause we played like sh!t

[TheShocktocles]

Houston also has an old style coach who yells, and screams at his players non-stop. He is relentless and never gives up or stops. He doesn’t change his ways no matter what.

Kevin Sampson may be old school but his players made the commitment to improve over the summer. J Gorham was considered most improved player in the league. And DJ according to Mark Adams went to Sampson during the summer to ask what he needed to do to be a better player. And DJ made the commitment after meeting with Sampson. They say KS told him we don't need Patrick Mahomes we need simple passes and basketball IQ by our point guard. My point is that the players have to make the commitment to get better. Just like MU made the commitment to improve his free throws last summer.

And if they make the commitment and improve then its up to the coach to use his own style to get them to execute. Go Shocks.