Missouri Southern State (Exh.) at Wichita State Pregame/Game Discussion

[WuDrWu]

Surprise of the game for me was Pohto; 9 points, 3-5 FG, 2-2 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks (I think he had 3), 1 foul, a +15 and all in 18 minutes.

On the other hand, I was not very pleased with some of Udeze's play: 0-2 3pt (they were UGLY), 22 minutes, 3 rebounds and 3 TOs.

Porter got off to a bad start and had 2 or 3 TOs early (finished with 4). On the plus side 4-4 FG, 1-1 3pt, and 6 rebounds (tied with Jackson and Pohto).

While Jackson did not score, he was a +21 with 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, no TOs or PFs.

ETN, I thought, was just OK for him. 3-10 FG, 2-7 3pt, but did have 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 TO.

Council finished strong after a slow start. 15 points, 5-6 FG, 1-2 3pt, 4 rebounds, a block, a steal, and 2 TOs in 20 minutes.

I thought Pohto had about 15, that was just from "feel".

If Mo shoots another 3 he should be suspended. And if it's a forced 3 at the buzzer, the person that passed him the ball should be suspended.

Tyson let the game come to him fo the most part, and tried to get everyone else involved, which is good. He'll take over when he needs to take over.

Our shot selection, the way Coach Fogler used to rate the quality of the shot (from 1-5 with 1 being the worst) was about a 2 average.

Monzy may be a guy who comes off the bench his entire career, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just what his strength is, at least right now.

[Stickboy46]

It's tough (at my advanced age) to remember all the details when I can't go back and watch the game again and break down everything.

That being said:

1. The crowd was better than I expected. Tons of corporate seats down low empty, but selling 8K plus and having around 4K+ in their seats, on the 1st, on a Monday when the Chiefs are playing, on a cold day and at 6pm.....I was initially discouraged but I think that's pretty good, and I thought the crowd was decent, all things considered.

2. I've been told there's a new staff running games, so there will probably be an adjustment period with a variety of things. The team entrance was botched. The hype video was sic but you couldn't hear it completely. JMO, but the cheer and dance team were ON POINT.

3. Did I miss the anthem? I got there about 9 minutes prior to tip off. Didn't hear the anthem.

4. There were some good and some bad about tonight.

5. Coach Marshall, if you're reading, we love you and miss you. I hope you're living a kick ass life every single ****ing day Gregg.

6. Coach Brown is doing well with what he has to work with.....but old farts like me are going to have to get used to things being done a different way. It's just going to be, and that's fine and good Shocker fans need to support these guys and this coach with the same gusto and vigor in which we supported the previous coach. And I loved his post game interview. There's really nothing not to like about IB. I hope he's wildly successful.

7. This is a small team. REALLY small when you compare to good D1 teams. Yes, Nova won a title with a small team. We aren't Nova.

8. Those of you concerned about rebounding.....you better buckle up. I'd have to go back 20+ years to remember as poor a rebounding team. And that might not be nearly far enough.

9. Again, we're going to have to learn to live with that. This team isn't going to win sending 5 to the D boards, then walking the ball up the court. They just aren't. We're going to be most successful when we're running and utilizing our athleticism. And that means releasing a guy or 4 when the shot goes up. In many ways, that's ok. You give up something to get something else.

10. Yes, it was brutally ugly early. But you have to give them credit for putting things together in spurts at least. This team is very unlikely to put 35-6 runs on people, we just can't defend well enough in the half court, and most teams aren't going to run with us the way these guys did tonight.

11. Tyson should NEVER turn down an in rhythm jumper, no matter the situation. If he's open and in rhythm then it needs to be shot.

12. I think we shot 50% or better. That's encouraging to me. We took some back shots, so making half means we can shoot it a little bit.

13. The one thing that did discourage me was the way 2 or 3 players, that we need to count on, carried themselves. Their body language was not good.

14. I was impressed with Grant. Strong. Can finish and shoot it. Needs to see the floor better. He's going to help us, a lot.

15. The surprise though, of the evening had to be Kenny Pohto. Folks, this young man is the real deal. Yes he needs to get stronger and we're going to be forced to put him in some uncomfortable positions out of necessity, but he can PLAY. And not just because he can shoot it. Which he really can. But he has a feel for the game that almost no incoming freshman has, and I'd venture that almost none of his teammates possess, at least not at his level. He has feel. It's natural. He moves his feet well and understands positioning. He understands the importance of reversing the ball. It's natural. Seriously, this guy is game ready right now. He's WAY better than I ever dreamed he'd be. And he's a big. He's one of the best passers on the team. He's one of the best shooters on the team. He's decent defending in the half court. He can help with the press. Guys need to learn how to use his pick (and he needs to get better setting it) but that will come with time. If you haven't figured it out, I am impressed with number 11.

16. Too many of the guys seem to forget it's a team game. Especially the younger players (not surprising) BUT Kenny is NOT one of those guys.

17. If we play Michigan, they will make us weep, uncontrollably.

18. We will need to make a lot of 3s to be successful, and I think we will make a lot of 3s. These kids can shoot it. There are enough makers out there.

19. Please, PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU....if NOTHING else, dribble with a purpose folks. 4 between the legs, 2 in and out burgers, 2 hezzies & 4 bings while not moving a foot may make you feel good about your hype video, but it's losing basketball.

20. There's plenty to work on and there were some good things too. Not a bad beginning. If we can pass and see the floor better, we could be pretty good.

Anthem was at like 10-12 minute mark if I remember right

[1972Shocker]

Monzy may be a guy who comes off the bench his entire career, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just what his strength is, at least right now.

Some guy nicknamed Hondo made that role work quite well for him.

[pogo]

I agree with what the folks on here saw because that's the way I saw it as well. We out rebounded them but we should have had more. It looked like we had pretty good position but some clanged off hard and came off deep over our guys, other times MSS just swatted at the ball to keep it in play and we lost most of the 50-50 balls. Need to get better. I liked the full court press and they turned them over several times. No one is afraid to shoot the ball and a good percentage went down. RC is so quick and athletic that it seems he is just too fast. Take a deep breath and let the game come to you. Fun night and if you stayed home to watch the first half of the Chiefs game I guarantee there was more excitement at CKA. Go Shocks

[WuTheOne]

I just saw Pohto's close to the basket highlights on local sports news. For those wondering if he has any post moves, he's got some. May not work as well against bigger, more athletic post defenders, but he's got some mobility and appears to have good instincts.

It's said that big guys take some time to develop. Pohto doesn't seem to need much time. I'm trying to remember the last big that came in as ready to play. Got to go back past Miller.

If Pohto is really a 4, and Abidde is really a 3, and Ricks is a 2...

...that leads to some interesting possibilities. Bring in a 6'10" or so rim protector and the front line is BIG. Even if those guys all have to rotate up one spot, that makes it 6'11", 6'9", 6'7" across the front line.

Those aren't likely to be the starters for a while. There's Jackson at 6'7" and Council at 6'6". IB seems to be putting a team together that is going to look good against the top end of the AAC before the defectors leave. Long, athletic guys are on the roster. Pohto isn't a guy with a great vertical, but he's got great coordination, footwork, and mobility for a guy his size.

[Kung Wu]

In the moment it sounded good you dyk pooss.

Is that Dutch for friend?

[Shockm]

I just saw Pohto's close to the basket highlights on local sports news. For those wondering if he has any post moves, he's got some. May not work as well against bigger, more athletic post defenders, but he's got some mobility and appears to have good instincts.

It's said that big guys take some time to develop. Pohto doesn't seem to need much time. I'm trying to remember the last big that came in as ready to play. Got to go back past Miller.

If Pohto is really a 4, and Abidde is really a 3, and Ricks is a 2...

Pohto isn't a guy with a great vertical, but he's got great coordination, footwork, and mobility for a guy his size.

Pohto seems to be built more like a 5 to me (I haven't seen him yet except on video this summer), and I'd just as soon have him stretch a big 7' rim protector that likes the low post away from the basket guarding him, and get a 6'9 or 6'10 stud who can protect the rim, and run the court to play the 4. Leave Pohto to play the 5, and open it up down low. He can get mis-matches and take them down low and use post moves. It sounds like Pohto can guard a big man down low, and that is all I was worried about with him. I think he can do more damage as a stretch 5, than a stretch 4.

[Signman]

Anyone else think the balls are a LOT lighter in color?

Also the glare from the lights sucks ass.

I noticed the new basketballs at practice a couple of weeks ago. Not sure this is a new thing but I don't think they are leather. Might be the NCAA has decided to become vegetarian!

[Shockm]

It's tough (at my advanced age) to remember all the details when I can't go back and watch the game again and break down everything.

That being said:

9. Again, we're going to have to learn to live with that. This team isn't going to win sending 5 to the D boards, then walking the ball up the court. They just aren't. We're going to be most successful when we're running and utilizing our athleticism. And that means releasing a guy or 4 when the shot goes up. In many ways, that's ok. You give up something to get something else.

Doc,
I agree with a most of what you have said before and about your comments from last night. However, I think that on #9, you are totally wrong. You don't send 5 to the boards, you have all 5 screen out the person they are guarding, and run to get the ball.

The TEAM has to rebound. They have to ALL block out and and then go and get the rebounds. It does us no good to release 2-4 players for a fast break, only to have the opposing team rebound the ball and make another basket. Our defense will allow 100 points a game, and we won't be able to win.

We CAN and SHOULD create baskets by using different types of pressure, both on the half court and on the full court. But sometimes we will have to play half court basketball and rebound as an entire team, but screening out, and running to get the basketball. If Mo has a 7 footer that he is guarding, he will do best to make sure the 7 footer is screened out, and if he needs to, he will have to bat out balls he can't reach with two hands to, hopefully another Shocker guard who is on the court. Your idea sounds more like what Loyola Marymount did, but I don't think that our coaches or players fit the personality where we allow a team to score 110 points because we will score 115 points. Just my opinion.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

Thought IB checked the boxes in the postgame interview, as well. Easy guy to like - wish more would give him a fair shake on here. I think we can all hope he earns that this year.

Who is not giving HCIB a "fair shake" as you put it? Sure there was a bit of hesitation a year ago when he was announced as coach, but this narrative needs to die a fast death. There has been very little to no criticism or questioning of him recently. In fact, I would say he is being praised far more. Move on...

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

BING BONG!

Hard to analyze this one with it being an exhibition with no TV and not being able to be there but a couple of thoughts:

• Udeze needs to pull his head out quickly
• Pohto appears to be legit and is well rounded with an understanding of the team game
• Porter seems like a nice kid, he is not and should not be the starting PG
• RC4 finished with a good line and seemed to get better as things went on, maybe he was a bit to hyped up and needed to settle in
• Guessing rebounding will be an issue again this year
• Pumped for the season to get underway!

[Stickboy46]

Alright .. seal has been broken. Is it REALLY a week until the next shocker game? gonna be a long week.

[shoxlax]

I noticed the new basketballs at practice a couple of weeks ago. Not sure this is a new thing but I don't think they are leather. Might be the NCAA has decided to become vegetarian!

They are anti microbial and anti viral kind of like these nets:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.jpost.com/science/israeli-startup-creates-first-antimicrobial-basketball-net-682796/amp

[wichshock65]

Alright .. seal has been broken. Is it REALLY a week until the next shocker game? gonna be a long week.

It's no wonder QG was a D2 All American. MSS was the competition he was playing against and he ate their lunch. Haven't been as excited about our point since Fred. The combo of Qua and TE could be damn good.

[Shockm]

BING BONG!

Hard to analyze this one with it being an exhibition with no TV and not being able to be there but a couple of thoughts:

• Udeze needs to pull his head out quickly
• Pohto appears to be legit and is well rounded with an understanding of the team game
• Porter seems like a nice kid, he is not and should not be the starting PG
• RC4 finished with a good line and seemed to get better as things went on, maybe he was a bit to hyped up and needed to settle in
• Guessing rebounding will be an issue again this year
• Pumped for the season to get underway!

There is truth in your statements but after 1 exhibition game a couple of your statements are too definitive for my tastes. Given time, they may be what happens.