Pre-game - WSU VS. ILL. ST. ROAD WARRIORS ON THE ROAD AGAIN

[60Shock]

The streak will continue.

Shocks 79
Birds 68

[ShockerFever]

Redbird fans are happy because the final score ended up being a 3 point margin. What has been forgotten as that WSU jumped out to nearly a 20 point lead in the first half and led by nearly that much at the break. We eased up on the gas pedal and played not to lose and the lead collapsed. I'm hoping our team is ahead of that type of stuff now.

Now granted, Illinois State has some good players who don't give up. I expect a competitive game. I've doubted this team at times this year, especially on the road, and time and time again, they continue to make me look like a complete, overmatched dumbass. KC is right, that this will be their Super Bowl. They are already talking about storming the court and making this the biggest Redbird victory in 30 years.

I respect the Redbirds and their fanbase, more so than anyone else's in the Valley. With that said, I hope we drop a 20-pointer on them and bring it up home on Saturday.

[Snapshot9]

Shockers - 74
Redbirds - 66

[Phantom]

Rest assured fellas, the only reason there's been any talk of our students possibly storming the court is because we haven't beaten a ranked team at home in 25 years. Been awfully close a time or 3, but never sealed the deal. It's a sort of curse. We would have to get students to show up first (Only having a 1/2 or 2/3 full student section has become the norm in Normal) and then have them be enthused enough and into the game enough to rush the court. An exciting, down-to-the-wire game would provide that...and I wouldn't be surprised if we are engaged in another close battle. If we do grab the win and there is court storming, I gurantee it's just because of the ranking and not the opponent. (A team like BU is another story lol.) As far as a great deal of both fanbases are concerned, there cannot be much more respect between our teams.

You'll hopefully get our best effort. We have a pretty good, balanced team when we defend & rebound first & foremost. When we don't, we look like a monkey ****ing a football out there.

[shocker3]

This will be a very tough game. Illinois State has some talented players and they play very well at home. We are going to get their best shot.

Having said that, I believe our team is on a mission and they are not going to take Illinois State for granted.

I predict the Shocks will win by 7.

[DUShock]

Bump

[WstateU]

You'll hopefully get our best effort. We have a pretty good, balanced team when we defend & rebound first & foremost. When we don't, we look like a monkey ****ing a football out there.

We can only hope that's the case...

[The 'hut]

I have been around some dominant sports programs. They always took everyones best shots. ie...the Shockers now. I preached that you must function like an assasin. Your opponent is going to come at you with emotion, be it hate, jealosy, or simply nothing to lose. The Shocker's job is do their job of eliminating their opponent. Stick to your plan, play defense, run your offense, block out, make solid passes and take care of the ball. Teams playing on emotion, play out, unless you feed them with mistakes.

Channeling their inner Jason Bourne 78
Collateral Damage 72

[KC Shox]

Does ISU have a Colt Ryan type of player that can carry the team?

[1972Shocker]

Does ISU have a Colt Ryan type of player that can carry the team?

I don't think so. They are a much more balanced team and as such are probably tougher. Evansville whole offense revolves around getting Colt Ryan shots. Illinois State's approach will be much more team oriented.

Here is a linkt to Illinois State's stats: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/...ason_stats.pdf

As you can see they spread their scoring around pretty well.

[1972Shocker]

We do have a game tonight don't we? I guess not much else can be said.

At least we don't have to deal with the emotion of Senior night tonight for Illinois State since they have no Seniors.

With their relatively young roster I have to believe Illinois State is a better team then they were when they visited Wichita. Fortunately, the Shockers are also an impoved team and seem to be peaking at the right time.

But this is a dangerous team. They have good talent and as KCShox likes to say this will be their Super Bowl this year.

Illinois State probably will be picked to finish 2nd in the Valley next year behind Creighton.

Hopefully, the Shocks are focused on drinking from the Victory Chalice (in the form of a MVC Championship Trophy) on the way home tonight.

:poster_shocks:

[tropicalshox]

Anybody know of a video stream of the game?

[19SHOCKER76]

The streak will continue.

AND the Redbirds will start a new brown one.

[DwShock]

Anybody know of a video stream of the game?

Your pay Illinois State $9.95 to watch their stream. I think that's what I'm going to do.

[Phantom]

This site has the game stream listed. I've watched several of our games on it this season, it's pretty good.

http://www.firstrowsports.eu/sport/basketball.html

ESPN3 might pickup a stream of the game too. Good luck to both teams tonight (pulling for my 'Birds to get a huge win obviously,) but if you guys clinch the title tonight hopefully we can at least put forth an effort to make you earn it ;) Looking forward to a good, tough game either way.