Your prediction of the Valley at the end of regular season play

[ShockerFever]

No worries MVJ. Every fan base has it's assclown. Personally, I love having you around here because I miss you from the Valleytalk days. Your wit, wisdom and insight rank up there with the best of them.

Totally agree. It was fun having a message board that actually allowed discussion and didn't single out certain fanbases. I'm hoping MVJ can hit the NCAAbbs forums this year and mix it up a little!

[kcshocker11]

Hey off topic but could you please explain how Andre the Giant Jr had only 3 blocks in a single season?

Andre used to to come to the New Stanley in Westport KC in the 80's whenever he was in town. I rem buying him a can of Bud and he grasp it and the can disappeared. His hands and fingers were huge. On a side note he was a very nice and polite guy. Everyone liked him.

[Shocker Rocker]

I'm not sold on Creighton being undefeatable this year. Yes, they return some seriously talented players in the frontcourt, but I think they will struggle quite a bit trying to replace Antoine Young. Maybe one of the young point guards will step into his shoes, but I don't think it will be a seamless transition. They may be still be quite good, but it frequently seemed like when they needed a big basket, it was a drive to the hoop by Young that made the difference for them.

[The Mad Hatter]

That is my favorite of his stats :) Until his game becomes well rounded, I won't buy in. Maybe that will be this year, but I expect a few of our boys to have something to say about that.

For perspective on what it means for a PF to have only 3 blocked shots in a season, it is worth remembering that Joe Ragland had 3 blocked shots last year, Demetric Williams had 4, Toure' Murry and David Kyles each had 9.

I guess Doug can take solace in the fact that he had 1 more blocked shot that Tekele Cotton, who had 2, until you realize that Cotton played far fewer minutes, so he actually had 3 times the number of blocks per minute as Doug (Joe also had more blocks per minute that Doug).

[SpanglerFan316]

I'm not sold on Creighton being undefeatable this year. Yes, they return some seriously talented players in the frontcourt, but I think they will struggle quite a bit trying to replace Antoine Young. Maybe one of the young point guards will step into his shoes, but I don't think it will be a seamless transition. They may be still be quite good, but it frequently seemed like when they needed a big basket, it was a drive to the hoop by Young that made the difference for them.

Can you imagine Manigat, Yates, Chatman or another CU guard trying to bring the ball up the court against Cotton, Armstead or Williams? It would be great to see Armstead set the MVC single game steals record against the BlueJays. :devilish:

[Dave Stalwart]

89-68. On your home floor. In front of a national television audience.

Next.

He also apparently forgot how their showing against ILST was equally tough and they were forced into overtime. Yeah, they came out on top and we didn't, but there was a horribly lame call with Murry to knock us out and Marshall was upset about that and Stutz' lame technical call that changed our game plan early on. Those were two real game changers. They probably actually did affect the outcome.

Like you said, "NEXT"

[Dave Stalwart]

For perspective on what it means for a PF to have only 3 blocked shots in a season, it is worth remembering that Joe Ragland had 3 blocked shots last year, Demetric Williams had 4, Toure' Murry and David Kyles each had 9.

I guess Doug can take solace in the fact that he had 1 more blocked shot that Tekele Cotton, who had 2, until you realize that Cotton played far fewer minutes, so he actually had 3 times the number of blocks per minute as Doug (Joe also had more blocks per minute that Doug).

Yeah, when I saw that particular stat I was cracking up. Its not mediocre. Its not bad. Its absolutely ridiculous. I had to stare at it for a while to make sure it wasn't just a mistake or something. But, there it sits, right next to GE's 50 or 60 something. McD actually had 3 blocks playing what I think was over 1000 minutes. That's why I can't buy in. You can't beat the big boys with that lopsided of a game and you probably won't be very successful in the NBA either. I just don't see it yet. Granted, he does have two more years, so I'm not saying I won't later.

[jaysfan31]

First off I am a Creighton fan. I read this board often and I am not here to antagonize I simply wanted to join in on this discussion.

I respect what Wichita State is doing as a program and I think them and Creighton are on their way to turning the Valley into their own version of the West Coast Conference with St. Mary's and Gonzaga. These two programs will dominate for a while and I am excited to have a team in the conference that is really looking to take the next step with Creighton. I do think picking anyone other than Creighton is pretty hard to justify right now. I realize that Wichita State came to Omaha and beat us down last year but the Jays did go to Wichita on New Years Eve and win last year too. Also Creighton won the MVC tourney and a game in the NCAA's.

Doug McDermott never has been and probably never will be an impact player on defense. His goal is simply to stay in front of his guy and make it difficult for him to score and then rebound the miss. Luckily for Doug and the rest of Creighton's mediocre man to man defenders we have Echenique to erase a lot of mistakes. His offensive efficiency is what makes him an all american. I would watch out for Echenique offensively this year too he has slimmed down and really improved his game playing with the Venezuelan national team.

Our point guard play will go a long ways in determining what happens to us this year. Austin Chatman is a very talented ball handler and passer but I agree with a previous poster who worries about who is going to take a big shot for us. Antoine Young was our only 1v1 scorer last year.

Hope I didn't inject too much bias into that first post just trying to give a Creighton fan's opinion.

[Dave Stalwart]

Great post. You won't get lit up for that. Most of us do pick CU to win it. We are trying to sort out if we will be 2nd or 3rd, but maybe if the stars align we could make a run for 1st. Its just a pretty big stretch to PICK that.

BTW even though I bag on McD, the truth is, I do respect his game a lot. I am just hoping he doesn't improve on those defensive numbers because it gives me more of that hope we could keep our foot in the door. Obviously he is a fantastic player.

[ShockerFever]

First off I am a Creighton fan. I read this board often and I am not here to antagonize I simply wanted to join in on this discussion.

I respect what Wichita State is doing as a program and I think them and Creighton are on their way to turning the Valley into their own version of the West Coast Conference with St. Mary's and Gonzaga. These two programs will dominate for a while and I am excited to have a team in the conference that is really looking to take the next step with Creighton. I do think picking anyone other than Creighton is pretty hard to justify right now. I realize that Wichita State came to Omaha and beat us down last year but the Jays did go to Wichita on New Years Eve and win last year too. Also Creighton won the MVC tourney and a game in the NCAA's.

Doug McDermott never has been and probably never will be an impact player on defense. His goal is simply to stay in front of his guy and make it difficult for him to score and then rebound the miss. Luckily for Doug and the rest of Creighton's mediocre man to man defenders we have Echenique to erase a lot of mistakes. His offensive efficiency is what makes him an all american. I would watch out for Echenique offensively this year too he has slimmed down and really improved his game playing with the Venezuelan national team.

Our point guard play will go a long ways in determining what happens to us this year. Austin Chatman is a very talented ball handler and passer but I agree with a previous poster who worries about who is going to take a big shot for us. Antoine Young was our only 1v1 scorer last year.

Hope I didn't inject too much bias into that first post just trying to give a Creighton fan's opinion.

When you don't come here to troll an opponent's message board and add no sense of worth to the discussion at all like GayDog did, you won't have issues and your stay will last a while. First and foremost, this is a WSU board.

I will add that while you beat WSU in Wichita, WSU absolutely pummeled the Jays in Omaha. It was on national tv for everyone to see and it was when you guys were ranked No.15 in the country. It was supposed to be THE game and it wasn't even close. In the regular season, which shows the best team over the course of an entire season, WSU finished 2 full games ahead of Creighton at 16-2. They had a better overall record at the time and was 2-2 vs. ranked opponents. CU was 0-1.

Creighton will be the favorite but judging by last year, their defense is suspect. The point guard play will be very interesting as well. It's close to a slam dunk for them but it's not 100%. There's gonna be a lot of teams gunning for them this year. I should note that Creighton was the overwhelming favorites last year as well..

[wufan]

Creighton is the overwhelming favorite for good reason. I don't think that means that they will run away from the field. There are weaknesses in Omaha, but they have the experience, depth, and offense to be a top 10-20 team. Illinois State could be a monster (though I don't think they will), and UNI, UE, and maybe Drake will have a say in who wins (they will play spoiler while bringing a 500 +/- record to the table). WSU has size, talent, depth, and even some experience. The Shockers however, have very few that have PROVEN they can do anything at D-I. We will know a lot more by Christmas, but I expect WSU to be within reach of a championship in late February.

[DoubleJayAlum]

For perspective on what it means for a PF to have only 3 blocked shots in a season, it is worth remembering that Joe Ragland had 3 blocked shots last year, Demetric Williams had 4, Toure' Murry and David Kyles each had 9.

I guess Doug can take solace in the fact that he had 1 more blocked shot that Tekele Cotton, who had 2, until you realize that Cotton played far fewer minutes, so he actually had 3 times the number of blocks per minute as Doug (Joe also had more blocks per minute that Doug).

I'd suggest Doug is a little more concerned with getting in position for the rebound rather than blocking shots. Perhaps that's why he was second in the conference in rebounds? I'd never trade being first in the scoring column and second in the rebounding column to have a couple more blocked shots. 23 & 8 is pretty impressive even if there is a donut in the blocks column...

Besides, why worry about blocking shots when you have the conference's best shot blocker standing right next to you in the paint?

The issues with this CU team are with the guards, not the big men. Those two are solid and remarkably consistent.

[C0|dB|00ded]

These two programs will dominate for a while and I am excited to have a team in the conference that is really looking to take the next step with Creighton.

LMFAO!

Take the next step "with" Creighton? LMMFAO! While Creighton is a respectable mid-major program, make no mistake boy, as Wichita State goes, so goes the MVC.

I also wouldn't put too much stock in Wookie's ability to build and sustain a program yet. He was a failure in the Big 12 and bailed on NIU before he could prove his worth. Compared to someone like Marshall, he has a lot to prove.

When you try to compare Wichita State's roster to Creighton's, it forces the obligatory face palm. The talent level is incomparable. You have all your hopes pinned on a coach's son who plays defense like a sieve and a serviceable power forward with a trick eyeball. That is it... If either one of those players cools off on a given night you probably lose.

Conversely, shocker fans are wondering how all our studs are going to get playing time. We literally have two first strings.


T


...:cool:

[ShockerFever]

I'd suggest Doug is a little more concerned with getting in position for the rebound rather than blocking shots. Perhaps that's why he was second in the conference in rebounds? I'd never trade being first in the scoring column and second in the rebounding column to have a couple more blocked shots. 23 & 8 is pretty impressive even if there is a donut in the blocks column...

Besides, why worry about blocking shots when you have the conference's best shot blocker standing right next to you in the paint?

The issues with this CU team are with the guards, not the big men. Those two are solid and remarkably consistent.

That's quite a turnaround considering CU would normally come in towards the bottom of the league in rebounding. What's Dougie's offensive rebound numbers?

[DoubleJayAlum]

That's quite a turnaround considering CU would normally come in towards the bottom of the league in rebounding.

I only know that stat because it has been written about in just about every league preview magazine. They talk about how crappy our defense was, then add that we were, using Kenpom's sabermetics, second or third in defensive rebounding efficiency (in other words, CU didn't give up many second chance points).

What's Dougie's offensive rebound numbers?

IIRC, Seck and Echenique tied with 2.7/game and Doug was right behind them at 2.4 or something. Knocking Doug's defense is fair, but he is pretty incredible rebounder. Not great athleticism by any means, but he tends to be in the right place and fights his a$$ off to get the RB. A former jay once told me that rebounding is about 80% "want to" and 20% athleticism/technique. Doug's "want to" is off the charts...