#14/15 Houston at Wichita State Game Thread 2-20-22

[Shock Top]

Carlton's 3 was not only his first 3 of his 5 year career... It's the first three he's ever ATTEMPTED in college.

Just their day, when that happens.

[Woodrow]

Can’t fault the effort. Battled every second. Just needed a loose ball late.

Every second but the last 5.

[shock-it-to-me]

11 Houston steals. FREAKING ELEVEN!!

[shock-it-to-me]

It’s like there’s one horrible stat line that gets us every game. One game its steals, the next free-throw shooting, the next three-point shooting, the next rebounds…

[Dan]

11 Houston steals. FREAKING ELEVEN!!

That happens when you have marginal ball handlers versus an elite defensive team.

[Woodrow]

I see a lot of empty seats on the tv.

There were definitely 9000 or more there. It's the most I remember at a game this year. The seats high in the student section were open and a few in each section. I think a game against a ranked team, nice weather and a decent start time all contributed (although some came in late probably due to attending church). Covid doesn't seem to be a factor. Maybe 5 % were wearing masks even though they continue to say masks are required. It was definitely a fun game to watch live, and the crowd was really into it.

[Woodrow]

Maybe IB finally figured out that Porter and Council should be the primary ball handlers and can take it to the rim. Much better. Mo played 19 minutes and had 1 rebound. He seldom blocks out. That is a travesty. KP had some good minutes but he really struggled to keep Carlton off the boards and away from the rim. Porter, Council, and Dennis showed again why they need to be in the game every possible minute. Tyson did better today and played much better defense. If we played every game this year as hard as we did today and used Porter and Council as the ball handlers and penetrators we would have won many more games.

[Dan]

Maybe IB finally figured out that Porter and Council should be the primary ball handlers and can take it to the rim. Much better. Mo played 19 minutes and had 1 rebound. He seldom blocks out. That is a travesty. KP had some good minutes but he really struggled to keep Carlton off the boards and away from the rim. Porter, Council, and Dennis showed again why they need to be in the game every possible minute. Tyson did better today and played much better defense. If we played every game this year as hard as we did today and used Porter and Council as the ball handlers and penetrators we would have won many more games.

Is IB ready to stop riding Tyson? Only time will tell.

[TheShocktocles]

Maybe IB finally figured out that Porter and Council should be the primary ball handlers and can take it to the rim. Much better. Mo played 19 minutes and had 1 rebound. He seldom blocks out. That is a travesty. KP had some good minutes but he really struggled to keep Carlton off the boards and away from the rim. Porter, Council, and Dennis showed again why they need to be in the game every possible minute. Tyson did better today and played much better defense. If we played every game this year as hard as we did today and used Porter and Council as the ball handlers and penetrators we would have won many more games.

Another thing is I have been disappointed with effort of this team going for loose balls. Most of the season the Shocks just stand and look at the ball. I saw more effort today for loose balls than I have seen for the season. At least they played hard today.

PS. KP will not be able to handle Carlton. Carlton is a 5th year senior and KP is freshman. KP is just not strong enough now. But give him 5ime. The kid has got skills.

[proshox]

Good game - we consistently made the right adjustments throughout the game (except not deciding to throw the ball deep in the backcourt on inbounds plays - Houston was in our head on those). A lot of big time plays made by our top six players. It seemed like the refs missed some critical travels and at least one out of bounds play when Houston got the last three point lead, but I will need to watch game film to be sure

With five seconds left I was watching Ricky…he was locked in all game, but he was also the guy most likely to get caught ball watching. Hopefully it will be a painful lesson learned - once and for all. It isn’t often that you can legitimately say “that one mistake cost us the game” and have the player really believe it.

With that stated - the three guard combo of Craig, Tyson and Ricky are figuring out how to play with each other (Fred, Ron and Frankamp never figured it out). Kenny is coming along, but he got some good experience today that should motivate him to hit the gym hard in the off-season.

Coach has identified the best offensive match-ups and is learning to ride them. I love it

This team needs to keep the core while adding four legit contributors (either from the current bench improving or we add talent).

strategic plan:

1) clap during video prior to the player intros - no more lame flashlights sucking the life out of Koch Arena
2) add an offensive guru to the coaching staff
3) go all-in on NIL
4) back the program with enthusiasm. The amount of pessimism is counterproductive to success

[Shock Top]

Maybe IB finally figured out that Porter and Council should be the primary ball handlers and can take it to the rim. Much better. Mo played 19 minutes and had 1 rebound. He seldom blocks out. That is a travesty. KP had some good minutes but he really struggled to keep Carlton off the boards and away from the rim. Porter, Council, and Dennis showed again why they need to be in the game every possible minute. Tyson did better today and played much better defense. If we played every game this year as hard as we did today and used Porter and Council as the ball handlers and penetrators we would have won many more games.

Also shrunk the bench a lot. Much less JP, QG, and MJ.

Hopefully, this is IB learning on the job.

Still think KP needs to play as many minutes as he did today. I believe, down the stretch, he’ll contribute more than MU can.

[Shock Top]

Another thing is I have been disappointed with effort of this team going for loose balls. Most of the season the Shocks just stand and look at the ball. I saw more effort today for loose balls than I have seen for the season. At least they played hard today.

Still got beat too many times to the ground, but I agree.

Much more fight today.

[ShockerFever]

Is IB ready to stop riding Tyson? Only time will tell.

Only took 24 games in to at least give him pause.

[NCAABound]

Still got beat too many times to the ground, but I agree.

Much more fight today.

Agree...still hesitant to completely sell out...but seemed better.

[Dan]

Only took 24 games in to at least give him pause.

It’s that low bball IQ that seems to run through this team