Shocks vs Western Kentucky (11-9-23)

[shock]

It seems each game, Beverly has missed steals by just a whisker. He anticipates steals well.

Doc, was it Sasha R. many years ago gambled on a steal versus St. John's at the end of an important game versus St. John's and their big he should have been guarding drained the winning 15 footer unguarded? A gut wrenching loss.

Wasn’t Sasha the guy that would hide the ball between his knees and fake pass?

[BostonWu]

That game will serve the Shockers much better than a 30-point blowout over a SWAC team.

Or a loss to a SWAC team.

[forevershockerfan]

Yes Sasha was treated with wood splinters each time he faked foes out to the max

[Shockm]

Because PGs no longer matter. At least that's what I've been told.

As Big Joe B. would say, "C'mon Man"

He obviously was looking for a PG late in the recruiting process, and ended up with Ridgnal, who is a nice piece but not a PG. None of us know why he couldn't get one, so the question as to why is unanswerable.


What's Mills supposed to say? We don't have a PG so we're screwed. Let's pack it up, quit, and go home? His answer was "it's not as important as it used to be". It's the only possible answer he could give to that question.

[1972Shocker]

This shows what an outlier last night's game was for WKU. The question is how much credit goes to the WSU defensive effort.

[WeWillShockU2]

Beverly and Bell abused their guards in the lane last night. Clean up the silly turnovers and we are rocking.

[newshock1234]

Lipscomb wasn't much better (9/37 24%)
Opponents are shooting 9/58 from deep through 2 games

[WuDrWu]

So, in regards to the 'Toppers and their 3 shooting last night, a couple of points:


Our perimeter (all) defense was very good. Don't tell me they missed a ton of good looks (see below). According to WKU sports, it's the first time in 1335 games they've gone 3-less, and by my math that has to take them back to basically when the 3 came into existence or at least close to it.

Jalen Jackson, transfer from TA&MCC where he averaged 7 points (not much of a 3 threat) and Terrion Murdix (also a TA&MCC transfer) who was their best player at CC (came over with the coach I think), both Grads, both didn't play due to injury. Is it just me or will WKU be a complete LOAD with 2 more pieces in the CUSA? Howard is in his first year as a Grad transfer from GTech and he's going to be a hoss for the 'Toppers. Lander was a top 50 kid that started his career at Indiana. Marshall played every game for Purdue (top 100 guy out of HS) and started the last 6 last season. All are in their 1st season at WKU. WTAF. Good luck CUSA.

Dontai Allen was preseason 1st team CUSA. He doesn't start. And there's a starter hurt (Murdix) that's going to get minutes too. Allen was 11th in the CUSA last year in 3s made (nearly 42%).

Steve Lutz can coach and OBVIOUSLY can recruit. If these guy gel at all, WKU is going to win a lot this year. They were picked 3rd preseason and I promise you everyone that picked them anything but 1st wants their vote back if they watched the game. Their transfers are going to wear out the CUSA especially if his 5th year guards aren't out for very long. (EDIT SEE BELOW)



Newman guarded 3 hand in his face 3 feet beyond the line. Bad shot.
McHenry transition corner 3 with Kenny closing out both hands up. Very tough shot.
Lander transition 3 very open. Good shot.
Allen straight away 3, 4 feet beyond the arc hand in his face. Average at best shot.
Lander 3 off a screen curling, 4 feet beyond the arc, 2 guys closing on him. Bad shot.
Faye off the pick and fade, fairly open but Ridgnal hand up a little late. Decent shot.
Edelin wide open 3 top. Great shot.
Newman fade away 3 top. Kenny a little late contesting. Good look.
Allen quick guarded 3 from the wing with Ridgnal very close. Bad shot.
McHenry step back Hardenesque wing 3 with Rogers hand in his face. Bad shot.
Allen transition 3 with Rogers in his face. Bad shot.
Lander good look off the curl. D a little late. Good shot.

McHenry could have been really open on the pass out but fumbled and shot a little more guarded 3. Decent shot.
McHenry open 3 on the reverse. No close out. Great shot.
McHenry open 3 on the wing. No confidence. No close out. Good shot to great shot.
McHenry wing 3 with Abidde on the hard close. Average shot at best.
Marshall long wing 3 on the pass out with Ridgnal closing out. Average shot.
Lander good look at a corner 3 with Colby a shade late but not a free look. Good shot.
Newman off the curl with Beverly on the hard close. Average shot.
Allen guarded forced 3 with Bell right there. Tough shot.
Allen 3 blocked by Ridgnal.


Maybe 8 good looks from 3.

I'd have to check, but I thought 10 of our 13 threes were good looks or better.

Not sure Abidde's block was indeed goaltending. It was close and the replay didn't give a great look.

Beverly can score at the rim with either hand and doesn't miss a beat.

Their big guy Howard was 5-16. He should have been a lot better. Looks like he has a good touch.

Mashall's first half transition dunk posterizing Bell was a top 10 Koch Arena visiting team dunk.

Say what you want about bad shooting (and they did) but only 7 turnovers on the road, and 5 of those really good steals. 2 giveaways. Impressive.

Beverly is a sharp dude. I hope he can get the turnovers under control because he has a great understanding of the game.

Looking at their schedule....if they get the 2 kids back from injury, I am setting their over under for wins at 23X. 25+ shouldn't surprise anyone.

At Murray State next. Trap game with Red Panda performing at halftime. Must see TV.



Just went to their board to get info. Murdix is out for the year and will redshirt. 6th year senior next year. Jackson is out at least another month. Tough to overcome those 2 losses. Edelin does a nice job but it's not the same. They'll roll with who they have and still be tough for anyone on their schedule to beat.

[Kung Wu]

Red Panda!

[SubGod22]

That sounds about right. Nobody said they had a ton of good looks. I said they had some good looks. Looks that you would expect and decent shooter to make more often than not. In my head, I was thinking 7 or 8. Generally, with the looks I was thinking, you'd figure a decent/good shooter should make at least 3 or 4 of them on an average day. They do that, and the game gets a lot more interesting.

[SB Shock]

It was funny to watch Bell stand almost in the WKY huddle on the floor with WKY coach.

The culture changes is occurring. Rogers came out and was a little angry and just plopped down in the chair on the bench. A assistant coach grabbed him and made him go bump all players on the bench. No time for selfishness. It is about team seems to be the message.

[newshock1234]

It is refreshing to have a coach that actually coaches. Pretty wild concept i know lol

[Stickboy46]

It was funny to watch Bell stand almost in the WKY huddle on the floor with WKY coach.

The culture changes is occurring. Rogers came out and was a little angry and just plopped down in the chair on the bench. A assistant coach grabbed him and made him go bump all players on the bench. No time for selfishness. It is about team seems to be the message.

I think that was Rogers ... we were laughing that too. If you are going to have your huddle ... on the floor ... in the middle of a Free throw (so live game), we absolutely should see what they are doing. The ref did come over and kinda stand next to rogers but didnt' directly get in Rogers view lol.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

Jalen Jackson, transfer from TA&MCC where he averaged 7 points (not much of a 3 threat) and Terrion Murdix (also a TA&MCC transfer) who was their best player at CC (came over with the coach I think), both Grads, both didn't play due to injury. Is it just me or will WKU be a complete LOAD with 2 more pieces in the CUSA?

I do want to flag that Murdix tore his ACL and is redshirting this season.

[ShockerInKC]

1.
15. Cheerleaders. Work on your arm strength. You need to get T Shirts further than row 6. Sheesh!.

Gotta disagree. I spent 17 years row 23 mid court and never touched a tshirt. My first game in row 19 and one fell in my lap.