NORTH TEXAS (7-5, 0-0) at WICHITA STATE (8-5, 0-0) Game Thread

[Kung Wu]

Mils biggest mistake was begging Pohto to come back. That dude SOFT

Pohto came on strong at the end of last year. It was like he turned a corner. If you were a new coach coming in you would think that he had taken a leap forward and you would have _definitely_ wanted to keep him. In fact all of us here on Shockernet were hoping he would stay. Unfortunately it seems he either has a super long wind-up and doesn't get strong until the end of a season, or that was just some fools gold? I still have hope for him, but he has to commit mentally and not only play his size, but play even bigger than he is.

Edit: It was fool's gold. He had Porter feeding him.

[pinstripers]

Mills was particularly disturbed that UNT sharpshooter Jason Edwards, who WSU game-planned to take away 3-point shots entirely, attempted six 3-pointers in the first half alone.

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/colleg...#storylink=cpy

[asiseeit]

It’s not “a few isolated plays”…it’s happening every game multiple times.

Well then, blame the coach for playing him

[Wichita Willy]

HCPM preaches spacing. The TV announcer showed a play where 4 players were on the left side of the court and one player was on the right side. Our player with the ball drove into the left side. He didn't have a chance since there were 4 opposing players ready to stop him.

Also this isn't the NBA. When someone drives to the basket you don't just back away and let him dunk it.

I said it last night and will say it again today. Move the back of the bench to the front and the front to the back until they decide to come to the game ready to play. Take the cushions off the chairs and make it really hurt to sit there and watch.

[Singeril]

That is the contrast that has really stood out to me too. 3G's first couple of seasons were rough but the players seemed to take on that gritty, tough identity even early on when they may get their asses kicked but they were going to fight and give their all. Always had the feeling that better days were ahead.

The jump ball in the first half where KP went to the ground, it was like he was trying to comfortably lay down on the ground rather than dive and fight for the ball. Frustratingly soft for a dude that has shown potential at times. I know it's not fair to compare HCPM to 3G and he still needs more time before we make judgements but man, the low energy effort (with a few exceptions) is really standing out.

And once again, one of the players (as has the coach a few weeks ago) said after the game that they “didn’t have the right intensity”. WHY NOT? Not being ready to play is not excusable.

[Singeril]

Well then, blame the coach for playing him

No problem with that. I wish that was the case. Perhaps if KP sat for awhile, he’d get some motivation. However, I am guessing that the coaching staff is hoping he will play through some of his issue and get stronger. It hasn’t been happening. One difficulty, as well, is that KP may play well in practice against his own teammates…the teammates that don’t see the floor all that much. But, then he gets into a game against stronger and smarter players, and panics. That’s mental attitude as much as physical skill.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

And once again, one of the players (as has the coach a few weeks ago) said after the game that they “didn’t have the right intensity”. WHY NOT? Not being ready to play is not excusable.

Probably easier than saying they don't have the Jimmy's and Joe's to compete against decent teams.

[pinstripers]

Mills said. “We need to do a good job of explaining the urgency of getting to shooters.

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/colleg...#storylink=cpy

[pinstripers]

Mills said. “We need to do a good job of explaining the urgency of getting to shooters.l]

you must be shitting me

[Shocktoberfest]

Do any of you who go to the games pay attention to the pre-game shoot around? Just curious. How many of our players do you see hitting most of their perimeter shots? Last night I watched pretty closely. We are not good at making uncontested pre-game shots. Now add a 6'7" freak athlete coming at you with arms raised. CR is our only option. Period. That is a huge problem.

[Maizerunner08]

you must be shitting me

You mean it's typically a bad defensive strategy to let the other team shoot wide open shots? Never would have guessed.

I'm concerned that the guys would need to be told that. Like, really?

[shockrah]

Game stories, non Eagle links:

https://news.yahoo.com/conference-no-problem-north-texas-042423252.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

https://news.yahoo.com/shocker-film-room-wichita-state-125547838.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

[rjl]

Mills was particularly disturbed that UNT sharpshooter Jason Edwards, who WSU game-planned to take away 3-point shots entirely, attempted six 3-pointers in the first half alone.

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/colleg...#storylink=cpy

From the article:

"Take out Rogers’ 38% accuracy beyond the arc and the rest of WSU is shooting 25% on 3-pointers against Division I competition this season."

Holy ****. What a terrible team. 25%? That's two-five? Good grief.

[Stickboy46]

Probably easier than saying they didn't recruit good enough Jimmy's and Joe's to compete against decent teams.

FTFY

[Maizerunner08]

It's clear now some of the earlier victories this year were fool's gold. This team is not good and not trending in the right direction.