Kansas State at Wichita State (Intrust) Game Thread 12-5-21

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

This loss was predictable in so many ways. Sad to see it, but the offense has sputtered all year with a lack of discipline, no flow, and no adjustments. We've been saved multiple times either by a last second shot or one player who steps up and takes over just in time.

K-State is not a very good team and this is a very bad sign for our chances in conference if the team doesn't figure it out quickly. Anyone thinking the next four games will be a cake walk needs to reconsider. The way the team played yesterday and you are not guaranteed a win against any of those teams.

It is so frustrating to see HCIB and staff not be able to make adjustments that my sorry a$$ can see from my couch at home. K-State ran the same two plays with Ezwhatshisname and the curl play over and over and over and the Shox did not adjust at all. Hell even Squeeky Weber couldn't have screwed that one up.

The Shockers defensive effort (save a couple of guys) was lazy in the second half. That was something that you could always say in the previous games. The team always gave maximum effort. Not in this game. My guess is the guys got disheartened watching TE throw up more bricks than Acme.

Speaking of TE. I have been a defender of him so far this year even through his shooting struggles because he has helped this team win so many games with his tremendous will to make things happen. Having said that, HCIB and staff need to have a heart to heart with him or it is not going to be pretty. I hate to admit it, but Jon Crispin was spot on yesterday. TE needs to do more things when he doesn't have the ball in his hands to help the offense. He is becoming way to one dimensional and that is a big reason why he is being locked down. Teams see it on film and they know that all you have to do is get in his grill and you can force him in to making uncomfortable shots. If he fancies himself as a PG maybe he should do what PG's do. Right now I am not seeing it.

Having said all of this...the Shockers are still 6-2 and there is plenty of season left to cure the offensive issues. I thought there were some bright spots yesterday. MU looking aggressive in the first half. I think the second half was a combination of the guards (primarily TE) not looking for him and MU not establishing position in the low post like he did in the first half; Monzy was all energy even when he struggled; DD was a beast on defense and rebounding; and Grant looked better. I would also like to see Monzy get more playing time and potentially Jenkins as well. That is one difference between fHCGM and HCIB, GM didn't care who you were if you struggled he wasn't afraid to play other guys. HCIB is loyal...to a fault sometimes.

[Ted Lasso's Neighbor]

I thought one issue yesterday was IB, as in Intrust Bank (arena). It's a bad place to play a team that's going to have a lot of fans there too - if a WSU player makes a shot, people cheer, and if they miss a shot, people cheer. Confuses the heck out of the players. Throw in a small logo, a plethora of 3 point lines, and an ice rink underneath, and it's a recipe for a L.

Another issue is the coaching staff - they should go back to wearing suits and ties. Are shoe companies paying coaches to wear their logos to help the cash flow of the athletic department? If so, get some ties with the logos and throw the suits back on. Casual wear is for practices and football coaches. Just look at Memphis - they've gone back to wearing suits and they're playing well.... ok, they're a bad example because they've lost their last 3 games, but you get the point.

Finally, the supply chain issues are to blame as well because the team doesn't currently have what it takes to make baskets. Heck, it's even affected the Dillons free donut promotion - they've scaled it back to just donut holes.

[asiseeit]

Pretty decent summary by SHOXAAC. I'll add the following. Brown strikes me as a
good ass't coach able to relate to players when that over bearing HC is hammering them.
Now he is in the head position but doesn't seem ready to change roles to the
demanding HC and be the hardass. IMHO this has to change or we are just going to be
another Memphis with less talented / prototype players. On a side note, I'd like to
see KP play the stretch four some. DD can't hit open threes but I think KP will get there
given the opportunities. Also, a tall stretch four can make good entry passes to the
post and also be a better return option when they double down low. Saying it again. Give
Jenkins more of TE's minutes. Hope CP is 100% soon - we need him.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

Pretty decent summary by SHOXAAC. I'll add the following. Brown strikes me as a
good ass't coach able to relate to players when that over bearing HC is hammering them.
Now he is in the head position but doesn't seem ready to change roles to the
demanding HC and be the hardass. IMHO this has to change or we are just going to be
another Memphis with less talented / prototype players. On a side note, I'd like to
see KP play the stretch four some. DD can't hit open threes but I think KP will get there
given the opportunities. Also, a tall stretch four can make good entry passes to the
post and also be a better return option when they double down low. Saying it again. Give
Jenkins more of TE's minutes. Hope CP is 100% soon - we need him.

Yes to Pohto at the 4, at least for a few minutes per game.

[Shockm]

I thought one issue yesterday was Intrust Bank (arena). It's a bad place to play a team that's going to have a lot of fans there too

WSU fans weren't very impressive. Not like the old Shocker fans. Very little enthusiasm although the second half had very little to be enthused about.

[Shock Top]

Can't expect the fans to get into a game like that.

They tried. Several times. The team performance prevented that from coming to fruition.

[cjp27]

Just some random thoughts

Why did Udeze not touch the ball every single time down the floor? He's had his ups and downs but it was obvious from the very beginning he could pretty much score at will.

Etienne with 20 shots. 38% of the team's shots. I wonder how many times a player took 38% of the team's shots in Marshall's tenure. Maybe when Cle scored 40 against SIU? If Udeze would have taken 20 shots last night, the Shockers probably win by 10 or more.

I get there are times when you have to put up a guarded 30 footer with 2 seconds left on the shot clock. How many times did Etienne take a guarded horrible shot with 15+ seconds left? How many times did he take a horrible shot without anyone else even getting to touch the ball? I'm sure he's a good teammate and we need him to play well to have success. But quit trying to be a hero. And if he can't then he needs to sit for a few minutes.

8 assists? That's terrible. A little off-topic but outside of FVV, who is the last true point guard recruited in as a freshman who stayed 4 years and contributed at all? Wendell Preadom? Dmetric Williams? That's a serious problem in my mind.

I can't remember the last time I was that disgusted with a loss. I guess GM did lose to Evansville at home, and then end up in the Final 4 a month later.

[pinstripers]

I can't remember the last time I was this disgusted with a loss.

[WuShock16]

I can't remember the last time I was this disgusted with a loss.

Easy. Drake.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

That is one difference between fHCGM and HCIB, GM didn't care who you were if you struggled he wasn't afraid to play other guys. HCIB is loyal...to a fault sometimes.

Although I agree with your entire post, I will point out this passage and say that HCIB has not been shy to sit guys down when they aren't playing well. He doesn't pull people as quickly as FHCGM, but he does pull them. HOWEVER, his insistence to keep Tyson in games where he is launching bad shots over and over is something that needs to be corrected immediately. I understand that some players have a longer leash than others, but what we witnessed yesterday cannot continue. Every player has to be held accountable for their play.

[1972Shocker]

A little off-topic but outside of FVV, who is the last true point guard recruited in as a freshman who stayed 4 years and contributed at all? Wendell Preadom? Dmetric Williams? That's a serious problem in my mind.

It probably was Dmetric Williams 2009-2013 and prior to that Matt Braeuer (2004-2008).

However, our juco and transfer PG recruits were probably an upgrade from D-Will and Matt. Clevin Hannah 2008-2010, Joe Ragland 2010-2012, Malcom Armstead 2012-2013.

[Dan]

Just some random thoughts

Why did Udeze not touch the ball every single time down the floor? He's had his ups and downs but it was obvious from the very beginning he could pretty much score at will.

Etienne with 20 shots. 38% of the team's shots. I wonder how many times a player took 38% of the team's shots in Marshall's tenure. Maybe when Cle scored 40 against SIU? If Udeze would have taken 20 shots last night, the Shockers probably win by 10 or more.

I get there are times when you have to put up a guarded 30 footer with 2 seconds left on the shot clock. How many times did Etienne take a guarded horrible shot with 15+ seconds left? How many times did he take a horrible shot without anyone else even getting to touch the ball? I'm sure he's a good teammate and we need him to play well to have success. But quit trying to be a hero. And if he can't then he needs to sit for a few minutes.

8 assists? That's terrible. A little off-topic but outside of FVV, who is the last true point guard recruited in as a freshman who stayed 4 years and contributed at all? Wendell Preadom? Dmetric Williams? That's a serious problem in my mind.

I can't remember the last time I was that disgusted with a loss. I guess GM did lose to Evansville at home, and then end up in the Final 4 a month later.

We all know what 3G would be doing if Tyson was throwing up contested shots - he’d get the stare, followed by an ass chewing the next timeout, followed by a seat as far away from the front of the bench as possible. IB is a players coach though, so we just have to watch the players work their way through it. The question about whether or not IB can make adjustments will be on full displays when they announce the starting lineup next game.

[shoxlax]

Although I agree with your entire post, I will point out this passage and say that HCIB has not been shy to sit guys down when they aren't playing well. He doesn't pull people as quickly as FHCGM, but he does pull them. HOWEVER, his insistence to keep Tyson in games where he is launching bad shots over and over is something that needs to be corrected immediately. I understand that some players have a longer leash than others, but what we witnessed yesterday cannot continue. Every player has to be held accountable for their play.

My money is that it won’t continue.

[ShockerFever]

Welfare check requested for pie.

[WuDrWu]

Doc, agreed.
As I watched the game again, especially during the what seemed like two hours when they didn't score in the second half, I kept thinking of the Land of Enchantment.
Just a random comment...

That is all.

Chatted with the LofE yesterday, Things are going well there!