Wichita State (9-3) at Temple (7-5) Game Discussion: Jan 03 (Fri)

[Maizerunner08]

Disappointing, but not surprising. Can't hit free throws and shoddy defense.

Ultimately, EVERYTHING falls on the head coach. These are HCPMs players. If they aren't up to par, that's on him or his staff's inability to recruit or coach.

Coaching is a cutthroat business that pays extremely well. There are no more grace periods. Players won't be here 4 years unless they aren't good enough to 'level up'.

I'd wager a large sum WSU won't be better next year. This was the year to make a splash.

The virtue signaling of 'true' fans is tiresome. Give yourself a pat on the back and continue to make excuses for the sad state of the program.

[Singeril]

Remember when HCPM said that December was for “tuning up”? Well, maybe we went to the wrong mechanic.

[another shocker]

Aargh, thank you for a factual assessment of Bell. I have never understood the continuous Bell hate on SN, especially with him being a local kid. I think if people wanted to be honest and look at everything he brings to the table, X is one or two best players on the team along with Washington.

toughest guy on the team. you know those philly kids are going to try and act tough, and you know bell aint gonna have any it. bell got a technical and i don't care.. i enjoyed that one. he's the only shocker that stands up to "philly in the house" bullshit.

[ShockHat]

Someone said apathy has set in? It definitely has. I haven’t bothered to watch any of the last 3-4 games, other than checking score online. I can tell I haven’t missed a thing. So sick and tired of Mills. At this point, he’s got a senior laden team HE kept and put together. All this “experience” and he can’t even sniff the ******* NIT.

Closely creeping from apathetic to actively disliking the whole program, given this is really starting to look like our identity from here on out.

Call me crazy, but program that we all loved would’ve never lost to freaking UMKC.

[ShockingButTrue]

Some odd officiating

Several noticeable late whistles, one way at that.

This. Team. Just. Can't. Find. Easy. Shots. Ever. Why? Several reasons...

[Speed]

Someone said apathy has set in? It definitely has. I haven’t bothered to watch any of the last 3-4 games, other than checking score online. I can tell I haven’t missed a thing. So sick and tired of Mills. At this point, he’s got a senior laden team HE kept and put together. All this “experience” and he can’t even sniff the ******* NIT.

Closely creeping from apathetic to actively disliking the whole program, given this is really starting to look like our identity from here on out.

Call me crazy, but program that we all loved would’ve never lost to freaking UMKC.

I agree with your sentiment. But, to be fair, I believe Marshall lost to UMKC. The trajectory is not similar though.

[BAShocker]

They don’t go 4-0 the next four games, stick a fork in them.

Lack of on-court leadership kills this team. No one (maybe Bell at times) steps up to be the leader, hold teammates accountable.

Lack of smart coaching during crunch time, kills this team. This gig is on the job training for Mills, and we have to live with it. Concerned that his style of coaching is more designed for 4 year in the system players. Again, it’s what we got, and it isn’t going anywhere.

By my account, all of Washington’s fouls were preventable. Our chances rely with him (and probably Ballard/Hill) on the court. He has to play smarter.

We need Degray back badly, like really really badly. Front court depth is non-existent. If we played in a 6’4” and under league, we might fair ok.

No pressure AJM, but you need to make at least one shot.

Could go on, but I need more coffee.

[ShockingButTrue]

The good news is that in this league the Shocks should realistically get to 18 wins at least.

[TrackSuitAndTie]

The good news is that in this league the Shocks should realistically get to 18 wins at least.

Only reaching 18 wins would mean going 8-9 the rest of the way (not counting AACT), hardly encouraging...

[Stickboy46]

The good news is that in this league the Shocks should realistically get to 18 wins at least.

Don't worry we will add a few more non D1 or cupcakes to hopefully get a few more wins next year!

[asiseeit]

Anything less than 22 W's incl the tournament will be a huge disappointment for me but, sad to say, I'm getting more and more used to disappointment. I'm encouraged by QB's increased production and XB's play. CW and Hill both need to up and sustain their games. The team, as a whole, has to play with more energy for FORTY minutes and play much better perimeter defense. I'd be surprised if RD becomes a difference maker. I hope Meeks agrees to and gets a RS. Don't want to waste him on this season where he is unlikely to get much PT even if he does return.

[Shocker82/85]

WSU had 20 more points in the paint, 4 more points off turnovers, 6 more second chance points and were even on fast break points. You don’t normally lose when you lead all those stats. WSU did not score a point compared to 12 for Temple between the paint and 3 point line except for free throws. WSU outscored Temple 69-55 on points in the paint and 3 pointers. Temple outscored WSU by 20 on mid range shots and free throws. Based on averages for the season, Temple over performed their averages by 6 points on 3 pointers and by 1 point from the line. WSU underperformed from the free throw line by 4 points from the line and over performed by 3 points on 3 pointers. WSU out rebounded Temple by 6 when you take out team rebounds. Temple got at least 4 team rebounds because of missed 1st free throws.

Washington needed to play smarter in this game. Ballard needs to contest shots with a hand up earlier away from the basket and on shooters coming off screens in the key area. DeGray’s injury and Meeks unavailability has caused ripple effects throughout the team such as Bosnjak defending mobile players on the perimeter or Beverly having to substitute for Washington when he is out. It has also forced Ballard to play more minutes than I think is desirable. It has forced WSU to play 2 guys out of position. WSU doesn’t have much margin for error which showed up last night with the poor free throw shooting and Washington only playing 15 minutes. I noticed that Beverly and Ballard’s plus/minus was negative 2 which both could have made up for by themselves at the free throw line as both left 4 points off the scoreboard from the line.

[pinstripers]

Is points in the paint an important stat with our current offense?

[Stickboy46]

Anything less than 22 W's incl the tournament will be a huge disappointment for me but, sad to say, I'm getting more and more used to disappointment. I'm encouraged by QB's increased production and XB's play. CW and Hill both need to up and sustain their games. The team, as a whole, has to play with more energy for FORTY minutes and play much better perimeter defense. I'd be surprised if RD becomes a difference maker. I hope Meeks agrees to and gets a RS. Don't want to waste him on this season where he is unlikely to get much PT even if he does return.

We can get to 22 wins without beating a single Top 100 team.

Oh i take that back, UNI is Top 100 .. 8-5 UNI would be our best win.

We need to stop looking at Win count as a measure of success, by itself its pointless. Mills has a history of inflating win count with easy schedules. We need to consistently beat good teams ALONG with a high win count for it to not be a disappointment.

[Kung Wu]

Someone said apathy has set in? It definitely has. I haven’t bothered to watch any of the last 3-4 games, other than checking score online. I can tell I haven’t missed a thing. So sick and tired of Mills. At this point, he’s got a senior laden team HE kept and put together. All this “experience” and he can’t even sniff the ******* NIT.

Closely creeping from apathetic to actively disliking the whole program, given this is really starting to look like our identity from here on out.

Call me crazy, but program that we all loved would’ve never lost to freaking UMKC.

Dude. If you missed K-State, you missed one of our best games in many years. Also, you missed the best dunk since Tekele. There's still stuff to watch!