East Tennessee State (6-3) at Wichita State (7-1) Game Discussion: Dec 07 (Sat)

[Dan]

It seems like the current administration, including the coach, feel Ike they came into a program with enormous fan support. The opposite it true. They came into a program with fan apathy and they have to rebuild it, just as Schaus and Turgeon did. That starts with fundraising and winning. They need to be creative, ticket giveaways, promotions, ticket specials, etc.

[pinstripers]

IKennedy calling out the fans on the postgame show. “If you weren’t here tonight and you call yourself Shocker Nation, you need to get here. This team is good and fun to watch.”

Wow...........Kennedy and the horse he rode in on............

[wichshock65]

She was so energized to be out there it was contagious as the crowd was so in sync with her. Loved the way she was to top of the pyramid. She and the teddy bear toss warmed my heart last night Go Shocks.

Thanks to everyone who have made comments about Pyper last night. Her mother and I had NO IDEA she was going to be TOP of the timeout pyramids. No idea at all! Literally watched in amazement. Holy cow!

The cheer squad took Pyper under their wings and included her in every aspect of their game time routine. Got ready in the locker room, warming up, walking the concourse with the fans, sideline cheers, timeouts on the court....everything! Much more than we ever expected. And she loved every second. Told us on the way home "This was the best day of my life". Couldn't agree more.

Over the past few years, I have been down on our BB team. Remembering what we had and where it has (had?) fallen to. For me, last night was a reminder as to what's important. Something I had forgot. Pyper was surrounded by student athletes who truely love their sport and their university. They represented themselves and WSU in a way that filled my heart. Made me so proud. I'm holding onto that feeling.

Thanks to everyone who was at Koch last night. All of you helped make Pyper's Shocker dream come true. We have one happy, and worn out, little girl!

Also, a special thanks to April and Nate who head up our cheerleaders. We're forever grateful for your hospitality.

[Topshock]

It has been years since I enjoyed a game more than this one. The first half had some stretches of beautiful basketball. Washington and Ballard were beasts in the first half.
ETSU made a serious run with great shooting in the second half and the team responded and kept the lead relatively comfortable.

Hill made some big baskets and took over the game in one stretch of the second half. Thats good, I guess. I just feel like we don't need that. Just play together and move the ball as they did in the first half, and we don't need one player taking over the game. Sometimes I get the feeling that 2 or 3 players would rather do it themselves than play as a team. They need to lose that quick.

[WstateU]

ETSU is a team that could knock a P5 team out of the tournament… they have several “dawgs” that have range. They also have size. I’m very happy with a win as I mentioned before. I was worried this would be a game we’d lose. I never predict a Shockers loss… never have and never will.

I thought we defended them well and they had a couple of guys with ‘lightening quick’ triggers; those guys could shoot with a hand in their face.

There could be a reason our free throw % defense is good. We wear teams out with pressure. ETSU was worn out after their late run… you could see them grabbing their uniform bottoms. Our guards pressure well.

PM’s, ‘out of timeout’ play calls are solid. Marshall had some good ones and PM’s are equal and might actually be better. The execution on the backdoor alley oop to Beverly was on point and timely.

I’ve likely watched as much Shockers basketball as anyone that posts here. I sometimes wonder if we are watching the same game.

P.S. I’m not getting too high about a win over ETSU. I still have the bad taste of the Florida game in my mouth. PM could have lost the team after that beatdown. Hopefully, we look back on that game as a mirage. Win a few more, get a couple of guys back and good things can happen. $10 upper bowl tickets. It’s not rocket science. Fever mentioned it; it’s simply marketing 101. I’m typing from my phone (typically don’t do this), so don’t judge my grammar.

[Singeril]

Speaking of this, Saal needs to get his head out of his ass regarding parking. Tonight the BG lot along Hillside (furthest from the arena), had five or six cars in it at 5:40. The next closer lot was MAYBE 40% full, but probably more like a third. You know how many permits there are for every single SASO lot. Stop acting like 4000 people are suddenly going to buy season tickets and right-size those reserved lots. It's ridiculous.

This parking issue is a major problem for MANY...and not just fans who come to the game. THREE HOURS before every home game, the lots that are for SASO contributors at the right level, are to be cleared of student and faculty parking. If not, you get a $50 fine....non-negotiable. FACULTY members, WHO PAY FOR THEIR PARKING, are forced to leave the classes they are teaching, to move their cars. And, as has been noted, the big lot off HIllside is over HALF EMPTY during games. It's ridiculous and is causing a lot of ill will...students (who also pay for parking) have to move their cars as well. The next closest parking that is available to faculty and students (other than a small area near the Fine Arts Building) is quite a jaunt. In cold weather, it's not very collegial to ask students and faculty to run out of their classes, go a distance in the cold, find a place to park (hopefully), walk back to the building, and get back into classes. It's JUST STUPID and is not gaining supporters for the athletic department. And why all of this has to happen three hours before a game is way beyond my understanding. AND, an alum was in town a few weeks ago with his wife...both have two degrees from WSU and have been donors...and they parked in the big lot for a conference that was happening on campus. Yup...they got the $50 ticket...and have now told me they won't be coming back..and I'm sure the donation dollars are disappearing as well. So, MK, pay for my parking as well as my ticket...maybe I'll renew my season tickets. Rant over.

[WstateU]

This parking issue is a major problem for MANY...and not just fans who come to the game. THREE HOURS before every home game, the lots that are for SASO contributors at the right level, are to be cleared of student and faculty parking. If not, you get a $50 fine....non-negotiable. FACULTY members, WHO PAY FOR THEIR PARKING, are forced to leave the classes they are teaching, to move their cars. And, as has been noted, the big lot off HIllside is over HALF EMPTY during games. It's ridiculous and is causing a lot of ill will...students (who also pay for parking) have to move their cars as well. The next closest parking that is available to faculty and students (other than a small area near the Fine Arts Building) is quite a jaunt. In cold weather, it's not very collegial to ask students and faculty to run out of their classes, go a distance in the cold, find a place to park (hopefully), walk back to the building, and get back into classes. It's JUST STUPID and is not gaining supporters for the athletic department. And why all of this has to happen three hours before a game is way beyond my understanding. AND, an alum was in town a few weeks ago with his wife...both have two degrees from WSU and have been donors...and they parked in the big lot for a conference that was happening on campus. Yup...they got the $50 ticket...and have now told me they won't be coming back..and I'm sure the donation dollars are disappearing as well. So, MK, pay for my parking as well as my ticket...maybe I'll renew my season tickets. Rant over.

RoyalShock and you both have legitimate parking concerns; I recommend an email or a call to Saal (“Better Call Saul”)…

I’m calling about $10 tickets… it really pisses me off our marketing department can’t figure it out. Simple economics. Have an Econ class develop a ticket game plan. Again, it’s not rocket science.

[Onegreatracer]

It really is mind boggling that we’ve been marketing as if 2016 is coming back. We have to make an effort to get it back. I could understand trying these prices for a year or two post covid but we’re 3 years out. It has to be fixed.

[shock-it-to-me]

I think it's time for a billboard

[SHOXAAC]

https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/0e5c912c-99cd-4ab9-9ebf-eb7dd15b9d02#bucketId=7955

Already there

How do you get to it?

[RoyalShock]

If that far section of the Hillside lot was full because students and faculty had to move their cars there, I have no problem with that. I will go park by the baseball stadium and walk. No big deal. But when a few hundred (or more) spots are going unused AND those in charge know it, but refuse to adjust, that points to a fundamental problem with leadership.

Those lots don't belong to athletics, and they should start recognizing that and be reasonable.

[RoyalShock]

I think it's time for a billboard

I don't think we're in billboard territory yet. Saal miscalculated how much renewed interest there would be this year. Ok, fine. Let's see if he can learn from it by adjusting ticket prices down and addressing the parking situation.

[Stickboy46]

How do you get to it?

Like do you find it without a link? I normally click the "ncaa men's basketball" section, then scroll from there. On PC you can just search, but it's a bit more work on a TV.

You can also filter by American Athletic conference too.

[Stickboy46]

I've bitched a lot about Mills. So I'm going to give him credit too. Whatever he did from the Alcorn State game to this game gave this team a fire and effort I haven't really seen most all of this year. Effort is always 100% a coaching thing, whether its good or bad. So I'll give him credit there. They were crashing the boards, boxing out (even getting some fouls while trying), diving out of bounds for balls (especially Washington), all effort plays. Was it perfect? no definitely not, but in the right direction. Still have a fear of playing the Memphis/UNT games but for 95% of the conference that effort will result in a win. Just have to keep bringing it.

If we can keep that effort up AND bring back Degray who always brings some fire. Then we might have a chance to do something this year.

[shockerfan]

Thanks to everyone who have made comments about Pyper last night. Her mother and I had NO IDEA she was going to be TOP of the timeout pyramids. No idea at all! Literally watched in amazement. Holy cow!

The cheer squad took Pyper under their wings and included her in every aspect of their game time routine. Got ready in the locker room, warming up, walking the concourse with the fans, sideline cheers, timeouts on the court....everything! Much more than we ever expected. And she loved every second. Told us on the way home "This was the best day of my life". Couldn't agree more.

Over the past few years, I have been down on our BB team. Remembering what we had and where it has (had?) fallen to. For me, last night was a reminder as to what's important. Something I had forgot. Pyper was surrounded by student athletes who truely love their sport and their university. They represented themselves and WSU in a way that filled my heart. Made me so proud. I'm holding onto that feeling.

Thanks to everyone who was at Koch last night. All of you helped make Pyper's Shocker dream come true. We have one happy, and worn out, little girl!

Also, a special thanks to April and Nate who head up our cheerleaders. We're forever grateful for your hospitality.

Love this!! Also highlights why I was so passionate about some of the changes earlier. Spirit squad provides so much more than just crowd entertainment. They do inspire the younger generation also.