Shox versus Bluejays

[1979Shocker]

I didn't see Illinois St. but lossing to Northwestern is not a good sign. UNI is not impressive. CU and WSU look good and it appears to be a dog fight. The team needs to take it one game at a time but the fans can look ahead as far as they want. I'm always looking a year or two ahead.

I'm looking 5 years ahead where we're talking about whether we'll repeat as national champions.

[SubGod22]

I'm looking 5 years ahead where we're talking about whether we'll repeat as national champions.

Of course we will

[ShockerFever]

watched some good basketball this week. still have it:

1. creighton
2. wichita state
3. uni or ilsu

Way to go out on a limb there, Sullyhater.

[ShockerFever]

I agree that, as of this current time, this thread is a joke.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Thanks for amending your post. I extra appreciate it.

I have no problem with thinking ahead about the Blue Birds. I watched a large portion of their last two games.

I have been thinking about how we will defend Wragge and McDermott because I believe it is the key to winning and losing.

This is what I know about McDermott. When he is on the perimeter and a defender has a hand in his face, he will look to pass. Saying it in another way, he only shoots, when he can get a clear and easy shot off.

When McDermott is in the post, it is a different deal. I am pretty sure than Carl Hall cannot defend him. Early has longer arms and I think he might be able to defend him. EO will be extra important in the defense against McDermott. McDermott can look like a spastic deep in the paint, but he has a great touch off the glass.

Wragge is a three ball threat only. He has a fairly quick release. If a defender keeps a hand in his face, he will pass the ball. To defend him, some help defense may have to be sacrificed. He is only shooting 60%+ from three.

Having said all of this, I probably don't know my @ss from a hole in the ground.

[Veritas]

I've been watching Creighton play Wisconsin tonight and have to say that the Bluejays are a very strong representative of the Valley. I felt that Wisconsin played over their heads to stay with Creighton for quite a while, but the Jays finally took charge.

As I consider the game here on January 19 and the game in Omaha on March 2, I think we are still looking at the Creighton offense against the Shocker defense.

Can Orukpe, Hall and Lufile combine to stop Echenique and Artino? Can Hall, Early and White combine to contain McDermott? Can Wessed, Wiggins, Baker and Cotton combine to stop Wragge, etc? Can Baker, Williams and Cotton combine to stop Gibbs, Jones and Manigat? Can Armstead, VanVleet and Williams combine to contain Chatman, etc?

Last year, Echenique seemed to have an advantage against Stutz for whatever reason. Hall seemed to handle him better and I think Orukpe and Lufile will provide plenty of depth at the 5 to hold Echenique and Artino down pretty well.

It was amazing how well Ben Smith and Carl Hall held McDermott down last year. Well, Carl is still here and Early has the same kind of quickness as Ben, but has much more height too. Plus, you also have White who could be able to wear McDermott out some with his physical type of play.

Wragge really looked good at times tonight and could be the one who is toughest to match up with, but Wiggins is so good defensively, Wiggins is so athletic and hopefully will have time to get his defense together by Jan 19. Baker and Cotton give a lot of additional depth at the 3 to help.

I have never really been impressed by Gibbs' offensive abilities although he is a very tough, blue collar type of player. I just think that Baker, Williams and Cotton can handle anyone they have to offer.

Chatman looks like a very nice young Point Guard in the league, but the defense Armstead, VanVleet and Williams can provide could give him problems.

I cannot help but believe that the depth at each position could give Creighton some real problems. Plus, I'm hopeful that by the 1st time we play Creighton, the offense may have finally started meshing.

Oruke will not eat Echenique's lunch with his offense, but if he can make a basket or 2 plus a couple nice passes, that will be great. I think Hall can score on Echenique and I would not be surprised to see Lufile provide some offense.

I am convinced that Hall, Early and White can all provide offense against McDermott. Certainly defense is not his strength.

I believe Wessel has the quickness to provide some good offense against Wragge and NW certainly has the offensive skills to handle if he has improved his defense enough by then to earn the minutes needed to make a difference. Baker can certainly provide offense from the 3 if needed as well.

I believe that Baker will have his shooting touch by then and be very tough for Gibbs to handle. William's offensive quickness will be tough to handle for any Creighton defender and Cotton can provide great depth.

Armstead appears to be able to handle any pressure Creighton may want to attempt and will score some as well. VanVleet is coming fast and by Jan 19 will probably be playing much more like a soph or even a junior rather than a Freshman. Then you also have Williams and if needed Baker to help at the point.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I'm not impressed with Creighton. They are really good. I'm just saying that if the young Shox can become the unit we hope for soon enough, they may be able to give Creighton all they want and more. Creighton is a pretty veteran team which may well be as good as they are going to be by early January. The Shox have so many newcomers that they should continue showing a great deal of improvement as the year progresses. By Jan 19 when the Jays come to town, the Shox may be ready to handle them in front of the home crowd and by March, who knows? Maybe they will be ready to take them to the cleaners in Omaha as well.

Creighton is really good and it will not be easy. But, if the youngsters learn to play defense to the top of their abilities and the offense meshes by then, a sweep could possibly happen.

Not quite ready for Creighton yet, as my brain and emotions are focused on Tulsa. However, good input and I'm sure I'll reference this again as we get closer to Creighton. Nice input... and it will be interesting to see if your analysis will change 6 weeks from now.

[C0|dB|00ded]

When McDermott is in the post, it is a different deal. I am pretty sure than Carl Hall cannot defend him. Early has longer arms and I think he might be able to defend him.

This statement confuses me. We had no problem defending Son of Wookie last year? I doubt losing Stutz is going to decrease our chances of quieting the fuzzy little spaz once more.


T


...:cool:

[wufan]

I agree with Cold. Hall can clamp down on McDermott, but he might be even better against cyclops. Wragge will likely score some, but Early will expose his nancy boy defense.

[Dave Stalwart]

We will hold cu to one of their lowest scoring games of the year. That might still be 60 or 70. Whether or not our offense shows up will be the thing. The good news is that game is far enough away that we can expect our offense to be better by then.

[1972Shocker]

I'm looking 5 years ahead where we're talking about whether we'll repeat as national champions.

You mean to tell me you don't think we will have accompished that beforel then? I just don't know if I can stand the pessimissm! :congratulatory:

[Ricardo del Rio]

This statement confuses me. We had no problem defending Son of Wookie last year? I doubt losing Stutz is going to decrease our chances of quieting the fuzzy little spaz once more.


T


...:cool:

This weekend I saw two 6-10 guys try to do it and epic fail. I hope you are no longer confused. Tall is not good enough. Vertical jump is good enough. #3 can get that baby hook over most folks.

d

[SubGod22]

This weekend I saw two 6-10 guys try to do it and epic fail. I hope you are no longer confused. Tall is not good enough. Vertical jump is good enough. #3 can get that baby hook over most folks.

d

I think the point really is, Hall did a fantastic job of shutting him down last season. Even SoW stated that he was the toughest defender he faced all year.

[C0|dB|00ded]

This weekend I saw two 6-10 guys try to do it and epic fail. I hope you are no longer confused. Tall is not good enough. Vertical jump is good enough. #3 can get that baby hook over most folks.

d

I haven't had the pleasure yet to watch BJ play. Since you have, would you say that SoW has improved over last year?


T


...:cool:

[Ricardo del Rio]

I haven't had the pleasure yet to watch BJ play. Since you have, would you say that SoW has improved over last year?


T


...:cool:

SoW = ?

[shockmonster]

This weekend I saw two 6-10 guys try to do it and epic fail. I hope you are no longer confused. Tall is not good enough. Vertical jump is good enough. #3 can get that baby hook over most folks.
d

I saw some of each game this weekend. DM looked very good, even better than what I saw of him last year. He's hunting his shot much more both from 3 and driving it to the hoop. He did pretty much use up all that guarded him. He played a lot of one on one. However, I didn't see anyone guard him that has the mixture of physicality, strength, (6'8 along with 240lbs.) and quickness that CH has. The problem with being physical with him is that if the referees call a lot of fouls, DM will hurt you. We'll have to see if DM is that much better than last year.