Alcorn State (0-8) at Wichita State (6-1) Game Discussion: Dec 04 (Wed)

[shockrah]

Taylor's 3 takeaways from the game:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/basketball/three-takeaways-from-wichita-state-basketball-s-win-over-alcorn-state-for-7-1-start/ar-AA1vi5jF

[ShockingButTrue]

I thought we looked hideously bad.

We did, against a team that would be the betting underdog in a 7 game series against Friends U.

[BAShocker]

This team has no leader. Who’s the closest? Bell? Hill? Washington? MB? Imo, it doesn’t look like anyone is stepping up to be the team leader, and that hurts accountability.

[forevershockerfan]

Usually I'm happy with a 24 point win, especially when I predicted a 17 point surpass. Last night, I started watching this game when I got home at 9. My thoughts below are a mix of green lights and red flags as we march through our Non-con schedule towards preparing for AAC competition.

1. A solid night at the office for QB with 14 pts, his record high 14 rb's and 3 blocked shots. When the Shockers work at getting him the rock in good places, most teams from here will find it problematic to stop him. Green Light. I credit Beverly with his 8 assists in helping to make this possible.

2. Last night, my ilittle pea brain was throwing red flags with too many early 3 point shots. More patience needcd because I found us on page 7 of the 3 pt. % at 327- out of 350 teams. The Green light last night was points in the paint which we won at 34-18. Take it to the rack.

3. Here was my number 1 red flag concern along with y'all. The 21 offensive rebounds against us will cost us games against the better teams. This area has been a trend that needs corrected now. ASU also beat us 16-8 on 2nd chance points. Some of this will improve with the needed return of both DeGray and Meeks. A good old fashion boxing out drill needed on a more regular basis?

4. Big improvement with a green light of approval on 15-18 makes last night on throws. ALS was only 11-20. We will even get more throws when we focus more on inside-out basketball. I like the idea of HCPM having each player make 10 in a row after each practice. In my prime, I would need to carry a flashlight, alarm clock, get vacation pay,, and a sleeping bag to accomplish that even once. Bricks bay-bay.

5. Our bench scored 32 last night to their 10. Going green light on this trend that could even improve. Joy has a nose for the ball on rebounds with 8 last night. I'm a fan of MB and it is a good thing he qualified, especially with these injury issues with our bigs. AJ's has good form on his shot. Hopefully, his confidence will grow on his shooting touch. He was better on his shooting touch last night. Our bench play was a green light and will improve more with the return of our 3 injured players. Last but not least, Zion got some valuable playing time last night and he gives us an energy boost.

A 7-1 start goes back to 2017. Not a real challenging schedule so far, but we will take it. Soon the Shocks will be playing some better competition to make it more challenging. Stay tuned. Go Shocks!

[pinstripers]

1. Finally in the 8th game, McGinnis looked like a shooter
2. Zion and Joy bring an untick in energy, but it ain't a very high bar.
3. Calling a TO when nobody is rebounding, and then leaving them all in, is baffling

[Dan]

Don’t take this wrong, but Ballard should have had 20+ boards last night. He had 6” on their bigs. He had a good game, I’m not dogging him for that, but he does not have good rebounding instincts. He stands under the basket when the ball goes up and relies on his height to outreach defenders for rebounds. It’s not just him, but it’s so frustrating to watch guys that refuse to push defenders out of the lane with their butts. We used to team rebound and the ball could essentially fall into the lane because it was full boxed out. We are so far from that now.

[BostonWu]

My new Christmas song:
Noooo Bell, No Bell! Noooo Bell, No Bell!

Born is the kiiiiing of iladvised shots

[Maizerunner08]

The more I reflect on last night, the more I agree with what Fev said last night. This team, nor coach don’t excite me. It all feels like ‘going through the motions’ personified.

Maybe my expectations are too high and I should be happy about our 7-1 record. Maybe it’s NIL and the general landscape of college sports…not sure.

[Kung Wu]

I like the idea of HCPM having each player make 10 in a row after each practice. In my prime, I would need to carry a flashlight, alarm clock, get vacation pay,, and a sleeping bag to accomplish that even once. Bricks bay-bay.

[shockrah]

Taylor's post game story: Nothing More Frustrating" Rebounding issues continue for Wichita State:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/nothing-more-frustrating-rebounding-issues-continue-for-wichita-state-basketball/ar-AA1vkbMV

[Stickboy46]

That will happen with having NINE seniors on the roster. Targeting fewer seniors-to-be and a couple of good Jucos could help that.

Its fine to get 9 seniors every year ... IF you are able to mold them immediately into a winner. you don't get a "building" excuse when you reset your roster every year due to your own recruiting choices though. So either get younger players and get them to stay, or win with the players you get.

[Kung Wu]

Don’t take this wrong, but Ballard should have had 20+ boards last night.

Sheesh dude. There are only 13 players in our history that have ever had 20+ rebounds in one game, and 7 of them only did it once. And I am sure all of them played more than 25 minutes in those games. Maybe X-man and Terry Benton did it once in 25 minutes or less, who knows?

Regardless, 14 rebounds in 25 minutes is outstanding.

[Stickboy46]

1. Finally in the 8th game, McGinnis looked like a shooter
2. Zion and Joy bring an untick in energy, but it ain't a very high bar.
3. Calling a TO when nobody is rebounding, and then leaving them all in, is baffling

I think they immediately gave up 2 offensive rebounds on the next posession

[Kung Wu]

Alcorn State jumped from 37th in the county in offensive rebounds per game to 23rd. LOL

Florida is 16th by the way.

We just happened to play two teams at opposite ends of the basketball ranking universe that excel in that particular stat back-to-back.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

"On the sidelines, Mills called timeout before the first media break in disgust. Even more troubling, after he chided his team for not boxing out during the timeout, WSU proceeded to give up offensive rebounds on its next five defensive possessions."