2022-23 Expectations for Shocker Basketball – “Falltime Edition”

[WuShock Reaper]

New Prediction
I originally voted 18 Wins or Less at the posting of this thread and I am still expecting 18 Wins or Less. However, I thought at the time, we would only be in the range of 13 to 15 Wins with at bearish outlook. Since then, with more national predictions available, I am now at 15 Wins +1/-1 which would get us to 15 to 17 wins.

Downgrades
Grand Canyon (N) Likely Win to Toss-up

Upgrades
Tulsa (H) and South Florida (H) from Likely Win to Most Likely Win
South Florida (A) and East Carolina (A) from Likely Loss to Toss Up
Tulsa (A) from Most Likely Loss to Toss Up
Memphis (H) from Most Likely Loss to Likely Loss

Outlook
I have also moved from a bearish to neutral outlook. After Shocker Madness (10/27), our Scrimmage against Missouri State (10/29), and our first Exhibition game against Newman (11/02) I will update.

Go Shockers!!!

[ShockRef]

New Prediction
I originally voted 18 Wins or Less at the posting of this thread and I am still expecting 18 Wins or Less. However, I thought at the time, we would only be in the range of 13 to 15 Wins with at bearish outlook. Since then, with more national predictions available, I am now at 15 Wins +1/-1 which would get us to 15 to 17 wins.

Downgrades
Grand Canyon (N) Likely Win to Toss-up

Upgrades
Tulsa (H) and South Florida (H) from Likely Win to Most Likely Win
South Florida (A) and East Carolina (A) from Likely Loss to Toss Up
Tulsa (A) from Most Likely Loss to Toss Up
Memphis (H) from Most Likely Loss to Likely Loss

Outlook
I have also moved from a bearish to neutral outlook. After Shocker Madness (10/27), our Scrimmage against Missouri State (10/29), and our first Exhibition game against Newman (11/02) I will update.

Go Shockers!!!

Reaper,
I mentioned before they are pieces here for success, specifically Porter and Pohto who are known quantities. I have been told by those attending practice that Walton is big time talent and upgrade over DD. I've also been told there are plenty of athletes on the floor. How much that translate to basketball players yet to be decided.
However, taking on a bunch of 'end of bench cast offs' from lower level programs and transforming them into instant winners is not exactly a model for success.

Could you get away with it in The Valley?
Maybe.
The AAC?
Yea, suuuure.

They will or at least should pound the SWAC nonleague schedule grunts, the BIG 12 games will provide a clear view of what's really going on with this team.
I am not expecting much in those games but wouldn't mind being pleasantly surprised.

That is all.

[shock-it-to-me]

Reaper,
I mentioned before they are pieces here for success, specifically Porter and Pohto who are known quantities. I have been told by those attending practice that Walton is big time talent and upgrade over DD. I've also been told there are plenty of athletes on the floor. How much that translate to basketball players yet to be decided.
However, taking on a bunch of 'end of bench cast offs' from lower level programs and transforming them into instant winners is not exactly a model for success.

That is all.

What are you talking about with “end of the bench cast offs”? Rogers, Bell and Pierre, for example, were all in the top two or three in minutes and points on their teams.

[ShockRef]

What are you talking about with “end of the bench cast offs”? Rogers, Bell and Pierre, for example, were all in the top two or three in minutes and points on their teams.

If they were the studs you appear to imply, their previous school/coach would have found a way to hang on to the 'straw that stirred the drink.'
There is a reason they were permitted to pack up and hit the road to 'pursue other options.'

Exhibit #1
The new 7' former FSU post player was looking for a new home because... he was relegated to the end of the bench and replaced in the line up by a... walk on.

That is all.

[Dan]

If they were the studs you appear to imply, their previous school/coach would have found a way to hang on to the 'straw that stirred the drink.'
There is a reason they were permitted to pack up and hit the road to 'pursue other options.'

Exhibit #1
The new 7' former FSU post player was looking for a new home because... he was relegated to the end of the bench and replaced in the line up by a... walk on.

That is all.

We would’ve been ecstatic to beat out Syracuse and FSU for Ballard out of high school. The “walk-on” was also a 5th year player. I’d say JR Simon was a better PG than probably any freshman PG at WSU when he was a senior. Let’s get the whole story not just a sound bite.

[ShockRef]

We would’ve been ecstatic to beat out Syracuse and FSU for Ballard out of high school. The “walk-on” was also a 5th year player. I’d say JR Simon was a better PG than probably any freshman PG at WSU when he was a senior. Let’s get the whole story not just a sound bite.

I guess a repeat is in order for those having trouble comprehending.
If Ballard was making the grade and was determined by the FSU coaching staff as a fixture on their team and they had confidence would make a significant contribution, he would still be there.
He isn't and there is a legit reason why not.

Collegiate coaching staffs recruit players they feel will be major contributors on their team.
Sometimes they swing and miss. When they do, they wish the player all the best in their future endeavors.
Happens all the time.
Hey, Ol Fogler said that Phil Mendelson from Colorado was sure fire all conference stud. Said he "got hard just watching him play!"
We all know how that turned out. About the same as the Euro trash twins, Darrin Duggar and John Askew.
Like I said, happens all the time.

That is all.

[Dan]

Somehow, I have a feeling that a 7’ FSU cast off is better than a 7’ WSU castoff from the 90’s. You forgot Jerry Stewart.

[Stickboy46]

[cjp27]

So, what is acceptable progress this year to lead one to believe IB has things moving in the right direction? I'd like to see a top 4 or 5 finish and NIT bid. If he can do that with 12 new players, maybe I'll start believing he's the right guy. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening, and if IB got 10 more years, I think mediocrity is the ceiling. I hope I can be proven wrong.

[RoyalShock]

I guess a repeat is in order for those having trouble comprehending.
If Ballard was making the grade and was determined by the FSU coaching staff as a fixture on their team and they had confidence would make a significant contribution, he would still be there.
He isn't and there is a legit reason why not.

Collegiate coaching staffs recruit players they feel will be major contributors on their team.
Sometimes they swing and miss. When they do, they wish the player all the best in their future endeavors.
Happens all the time.
Hey, Ol Fogler said that Phil Mendelson from Colorado was sure fire all conference stud. Said he "got hard just watching him play!"
We all know how that turned out. About the same as the Euro trash twins, Darrin Duggar and John Askew.
Like I said, happens all the time.

That is all.

I'm not exactly bullish on this season either, but in terms of Ballard, I don't think anyone is expecting anything more than a guy who can come in for a few minutes and be a rim-protector. The other transfers, for the most part, were double-digit scorers for their previous team. Sure, those numbers were at a lower level than the AAC, but hardly end-of-the-bench castoffs.

[MikeKennedyRulZ]

I am not sold on Ballard to be any sort of meaningful contributor. Time will tell and I sure hope he proves me wrong. Just my feeling.

[calfan]

Let's take a trip down memory lane. Last year, with almost the whole team returning, WSU went from 1st place to 7th place.

This year, two players return with any experience.

I think expecting almost a whole new team to finish in the top 4 is not realistic.

I think the "experts" have picked them about 7th and I think that is about right.

[Shocktoberfest]

Let's take a trip down memory lane. Last year, with almost the whole team returning, WSU went from 1st place to 7th place.

This year, two players return with any experience.

I think expecting almost a whole new team to finish in the top 4 is not realistic.

I think the "experts" have picked them about 7th and I think that is about right.

Don't forget the Pooh Bear.

[1972Shocker]

I didn't recognize Pohto in his Photo with his new do.

[calfan]

I didn't realize that Chandler was on the ream last year.