SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (6-3) at WICHITA STATE (7-3) Game Thread

[1972Shocker]

* to say KP is an enigma is to understate enigmas

To quote Winston Churchill: "It's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma"

But I think with KP you just have to accept that he is what he is. You are going to get these kind of games from time-to-time and ocasionally he will shine as well. Hard to predict when one or the other is going to happen though. However, he probably will never physically dominate a game.

[pinstripers]

First live game since Covid. Great game to watch, lucky to win. Johnson was remarkable. Really good crowd late, I thought.

[WuDrWu]

We need to give 'em the ol' Hail-Mary-Pass-Fake-360-Sit-N-Spin-Flea-Flicker play.

How about the Annexation of Puerto Rico.

[asiseeit]

Well, a win is a win. We had way too many defensive breakdowns. QB has to stay within five feet of the rim. KP with 12 boards but miserable shooting night again esp at the line. Five team turnovers without a true PG. XB with a nice game. Going to have to up our game from now on. Degray should help but not a savior by any means unless he got the last block. I think the official call was QB's.

[WuDrWu]

Just got back from game… several thoughts:
* if the Shocks have played against a better player than Johnson, I’d like to be reminded who it was… EASILY the best player on the floor, either team
* DeGray will be a BIG help, even if he does not score
*LOVED SIU’s motion offense… felt Shocks were sluggish
* to say KP is an enigma is to understate enigmas
* a little too much one on one( I HATE the phrase ‘hero ball’)
* I thought the crowd was great , late
* average age of the crowd… low 80s… oldest crowd in the world

a win is a win

did I mention I’d throw TONS of NIL money at Johnson??☺️

Didn't see you again. Starting to take it personally.

We haven't seen anyone better than Johnson.

DeGray certainly was a nice surprise. But he sure ate into Ridgnal's minutes.

Crowd was very good compared to the last 3+ seasons, no doubt.

After it was 19-4, one could argue the Dawgs very much controlled the game.

You and I barely move that 80s needle.

SIU was certainly helped by the addition of Jerrett Hensley who, like DeGray, was playing in his 1st game for SIU. He didn't play much for Cincinnati but his size and strength and 8 points in 18 minutes certainly helped SIU against our bigs. It's hard to imagine they can't finish 1-2 in the Valley with that team.

But Indiana State beat them by 30. THIRTY.

[Woodrow]

Didn't see you again. Starting to take it personally.

We haven't seen anyone better than Johnson.

DeGray certainly was a nice surprise. But he sure ate into Ridgnal's minutes.

Crowd was very good compared to the last 3+ seasons, no doubt.

After it was 19-4, one could argue the Dawgs very much controlled the game.

You and I barely move that 80s needle.

SIU was certainly helped by the addition of Jerrett Hensley who, like DeGray, was playing in his 1st game for SIU. He didn't play much for Cincinnati but his size and strength and 8 points in 18 minutes certainly helped SIU against our bigs. It's hard to imagine they can't finish 1-2 in the Valley with that team.

But Indiana State beat them by 30. THIRTY.

Johnson was 5 for 17 in that game. He is the difference maker for SIU. If he has an off night they will not be very good.

[1972Shocker]

I think the official call was QB's.

If you check the play and the replay on the ESPN+ broadcast you will see that DeGray got it first and deflected it off of Ballard's hand. Or at least that is what I am seeing.

[WstateU]

[Stickboy46]

That ref had the slowest 5 count ever including pausing before the 5 to allow SIU to inbound

[1972Shocker]

Correction: Ronnie DeGray III denies Xavier Johnson but he was not doubt thinking about Quincy. Not sure if Quincy would have got the ball or not if Ronnie had not got it first.

[ShockerFever]

For people who like to count Xavier’s shots:

8/14, 20 points, 1 TO.

How many assists?

[1972Shocker]

That ref had the slowest 5 count ever including pausing before the 5 to allow SIU to inbound

It was a pretty slow count although perhaps not the slowest ever. I tried timing it using a stop watch. Just a hair over 5 seconds when the passer released the ball from what I could tell. Not sure how many refs would have the cahones to make a 5 second call in that situation unless it was egregious. Fortunately, it worked out okay for the Shockers.

If the Shockers had just got the defensive rebound on the SIU preceding miss it would not have come down to this. Never leave the game in the hands of officiatiing decisions if you can help it.

[IndianaShocker]

Didn't see you again. Starting to take it personally.

We haven't seen anyone better than Johnson.

DeGray certainly was a nice surprise. But he sure ate into Ridgnal's minutes.

Crowd was very good compared to the last 3+ seasons, no doubt.

After it was 19-4, one could argue the Dawgs very much controlled the game.

You and I barely move that 80s needle.

SIU was certainly helped by the addition of Jerrett Hensley who, like DeGray, was playing in his 1st game for SIU. He didn't play much for Cincinnati but his size and strength and 8 points in 18 minutes certainly helped SIU against our bigs. It's hard to imagine they can't finish 1-2 in the Valley with that team.

But Indiana State beat them by 30. THIRTY.

ISUb is really good this season. Great coach, couple very good players (IMO, assuming health, MVCPOY will come down to two Sycamores) and some depth. They run good stuff offensively. Exciting team to watch.

https://x.com/AndrewKurzeja/status/1732494794805424328?t=NjXNhCaWQpVzp4BZv9CLuQ&s=01

[WeWillShockU2]

I still like this team. Every team has flaws but you can tell that they really want to win. Our guards were very good especially in the second half. Photo definitely had another off offensive night but he did have 12 rebounds. Crowd got into it and helped the team get the shot clock violation which was pivotal. It would make for a great year end if we can win a game in KC. My son’s family came to the game with us. They have two boys ages 8 and 5. They both had a great time.

[WeWillShockU2]

Colby took over down the stretch. That was impressive!