Florida #18 (7-0) vs Wichita State (6-0) Game Discussion: Nov 29 (Fri)

[Woodrow]

Things I like:

1) Anyone that remembers back 15+ years ago on this fine forum might recollect that one of my favorite determining stats is a team that makes more FTs than the opponent attempts. So far, WSU 118 made FTs (that's 75.6% folks) and their opponents have attempted 113. Not a huge body of work from which to draw, but not insignificant either. And while no one will confuse our non con with Auburn's, it hasn't been exactly the poor sisters of the blind either. Getting to the line means being aggressive and strong and being ahead. Not putting the other team at the line means decent defense and intelligence and, again, being ahead. Being "old" and experienced certainly helps.

2) This team has the ability to make plays. Say what you want about X, but he gets the rim and is damned good, and strong, when he goes left. That will end in conference when the scouts are used to him and they constantly force him right, but still, it is more effective than not, even if it's frustrating as heck at times. But for the most part, when they've needed to make plays, they have made plays, and isn't that what the game is about? I think I saw many people say yesterday something like "I will take an ugly win every day over a pretty loss". And so will I.

3) I still mostly like how we play, and I really like the guys that are playing for us. Be all accounts they seem respectful, courteous, hard working and hard playing student athletes who have represented themselves and their program with distinction. That matters to me. More as each day passes.

4) The team is taking care of the ball. Less than 10 turnovers a game is a fantastic number.

5) This team seems to embrace playing to their strengths and staying away from shortcomings, for the most part. Playing to your strengths is fantastic, if you have strengths and it would be disingenuous to dismiss the individual talents of this team.

6) I think if we're being fair, this team is nowhere near it's ceiling. They've got plenty of room to improve, as individuals as well as a unit, to say nothing of the younger players developing and a couple of key guys getting healthy.

7) I like winning.


Things I don't like:

1) When we don't play hard and there were more than a few times yesterday where we were the 2nd toughest team out there. This team is better, no doubt about it. This team is not good enough to half ass it. Yesterday's game may have been more painful than Monmouth, and that's saying something. That's the worst team in the B10, maybe by a wide margin.

2) Backhanded here, but our FT shooting defense won't continue. Our opponents are shooting an abysmal 58% from the line. Can't and won't continue and we're playing close games. That's not a recipe for future success.

3) Our rebounding sucks. I know I'm spoiled. I grew up watching Cliff, X.....guys that had more want than most other 3 people. Coaches, Fogler and Turg would not be satisfied with a single missed box out. And then Marshall who took "want to" to an entirely different level. Out rebound the opponent by 7? F U. Should have been 19. We've got work to do. We have to get better.

4) I get the strengths thing (as I mentioned above) and I have said I enjoy the general way we play, which I do. But I hate not sharing the ball. You don't HAVE to go 1 v 1 and ignore the floor. Sometimes guys are open. Sometimes the other guy has a better opportunity or shot. Sometimes. We need to see the floor better, as a team. And that doesn't have to take away from anyone's talents.

5) Along the same line as 4, we have to find other ways to score than 1 v 1 and the lob. We just have to get better there.

6) According to Kenpom and anyone with functional vision, we've been a little lucky so far...maybe a lot lucky. Those things will even out. You can't rely on being lucky. You also can't allow a player like CW to foul out with 5 minutes left. Seriously, WTF? To say that's mind boggling doesn't even begin to describe it.

7) Losing.





Like the old joke about how does one learn the skill of catching a cannonball....do you toss some at them to start, then throw a few....ok, this one's coming a little bit faster.

Florida is the cannonball.



All that being said, credit is due where credit is due and the FIRST 7 trumps the SECOND 7 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Congrats to the team for the 6-0 start!

I agree with you Doc. I want to say something else about XB. He may not have the best floor vision but he does a lot more right than wrong. He also plays hard and gets after it on defense. I see his dad at every home game and I'm sure he reads Shockernet like any of us would if we had a son playing on the team. I wish we would consider that when commenting about him. Personally, I'm glad we have Bell on the team. He's a hometown kid and seems to have a good attitude. He must do a lot right or HCPM would not play him as much as he does.

[WuDrWu]

If you take out RDIII's FT numbers, this team is almost a 79% FT team. Not bad. He was just 12-21. Still over 75% with him. So that's good.

[asiseeit]

Not our style BUT might try MB and QB together 5-10 minutes using a 3-2 zone those minutes. I know most people say it is weaker when it comes to boards but not sure I buy into that especially with our current roster of available players. Also might help changing up defenses and something they won't expect.

[Onegreatracer]

I agree with you Doc. I want to say something else about XB. He may not have the best floor vision but he does a lot more right than wrong. He also plays hard and gets after it on defense. I see his dad at every home game and I'm sure he reads Shockernet like any of us would if we had a son playing on the team. I wish we would consider that when commenting about him. Personally, I'm glad we have Bell on the team. He's a hometown kid and seems to have a good attitude. He must do a lot right or HCPM would not play him as much as he does.

The on/off numbers also say X is very much a plus player for us. Our second best or even best. But it is hard to get past some of the mistakes.

[moshock]

I've been a little critical of X. - really it's more frustration than anything. He is a darn good player - he just needs to quit the selfish bone headed drives. He is definitely better than last season. I hope he continues to improve

[WuDrWu]

I agree with you Doc. I want to say something else about XB. He may not have the best floor vision but he does a lot more right than wrong. He also plays hard and gets after it on defense. I see his dad at every home game and I'm sure he reads Shockernet like any of us would if we had a son playing on the team. I wish we would consider that when commenting about him. Personally, I'm glad we have Bell on the team. He's a hometown kid and seems to have a good attitude. He must do a lot right or HCPM would not play him as much as he does.

100% I think I said this last season, but if there's not room on WSU's team for XB, there's not room for me as a fan. He may not be perfect, but he's a hell of lot more perfect than I am, without question.

[WuShock Reaper]

Q: Good morning WuOracle, it's me the WuShock Reaper.
A: Good morning, WuShock Reaper! It's great to see you again. How's everything going with the Wichita State Men's Basketball discussions? Any exciting updates or predictions for the upcoming games?

Q: I say we will win against the Florida Gators, what say you?
A: I like your confidence! The Shockers have been on a roll lately, and with the momentum they've built, they definitely have a strong chance against the Gators. It's going to be an exciting game for sure. Let's hope they bring their A-game and secure that win! What do you think will be the key factors for Wichita State to come out on top?

Q: We score more points than they do. What is your prediction for the final score?
A: That's a solid strategy! Based on the current form of both teams, it looks like it will be a close game. The Florida Gators have been strong defensively, and the Shockers have shown resilience in tight situations. My prediction for the final score is Florida 78, Wichita State 72. The Gators' defense might give them a slight edge, but the Shockers will definitely put up a good fight.

Q: Lator Florida Gator lover, off to drain the swamp.
A: Later Wheat Freak!

[shocks02]

I’m having a hard time looking at Todd Golden the same after reading that article. Yikes.

[Ta Town Shocker]

Wow......anyone heard a thing about this story? To be fair, just found it as I realized I knew the head coach from somewhere, I just couldn't figure it out. I have no idea if there's any truth to it or if it's been debunked by now. Given that he's still coaching, that's possible if not probable I suppose.

https://www.alligator.org/article/2024/11/uf-basketball-coach-accused-of-sexual-harassment-and-stalking

Hard to imagine the students would be making this up. Sounds like a real creep.

[Kel Varnsen]

Minnesota coach channeled his inner Matt Eberflus with that terrible end of game clock management. Down three with a ten second differential between game clock and shot clock and the opponent with the ball, he decided to play it out. Wake Forest scores with 16 seconds left, Minnesota misses a forced three, and the game is over.

Annoys me to no end when coaches are this bad at a very important part of managing a game.

[WuShock Reaper]

[WuShock Reaper]

[Blackmag]

We should get an idea of how good we are and what we need to work on

[wichshock65]

I'll be happy if we just don't embarrass ourselves.

Go Shocks!

[pinstripers]

now stall