North Texas (15-4) at Wichita State (11-9) Game Discussion: Jan 29 (Wed)

[Blackmag]

I think we all knew, deep down that we’d lose it in the end. Missed fts, forced shots and turnovers in the lane. Just no real offensivel plays to get a basket in crunch time. 1-7, a new all time low

[Aargh]

Even when the Shox were ahead I had no doubt they were going to lose the game. The best predicter of future behavior is past behavior and Ive seen enough of the Shox past behavior to not expect to win close games.

I predicted Shox lose by 5+ in the game thread, so I was hoping I might at least get the satisfaction of getting that right, but this team seems dedicated to my not getting anything right.

I played one season of Y-League bnasketball for a radio station and we ran a better offense than the Shox are running. Point guard could get into the lane and draw multiple defenders, which left the sales manager open in the 20' range and he was deadly from there. Yep, a radio station sales manager was a better jump shooter than about anybody on the Shox this year. Our point guard averaged about 10 assists a game from drawing defenders and kicking out to someone who could actually hit a shot.

[ShockHat]

Yay moral victory. Right everyone? Yeah?

It’s actually impressive how he’s managed to lose this many games

[Dan]

We have 2 guys on this team that think they have to put the team on their shoulders in crunch time and they are both bad ball handlers and make bad decisions, Unfortunately they both play PG roles. I’m talking about Hill and Bell. Yes Bell scores a lot of points but both of these guys are the definition of hero ball players. I don’t know how they only score Bell with one turnover when he had multiple trips down the court where he lost the ball in the lane either through his terrible spin move from right to left, getting stuffed by 3 defenders, or dribbling off his foot but If I were Mills, I’d call a timeout and say “if any of you mother ****ers do another spin move in the lane pack your **** and don’t come back”. I’m so ready for these guys to graduate.

[forevershockerfan]

Our lack bench points and rebounding hurt us last night. The Shocks played well for the first 15 minutes in the 2nd half, but couldn't shoot the rock in the ocean in the last 5. Minutes. The Shockers thus are sinking deeper in the AAC cellar. The 2 year N. Texas coach is impressive and understands how to reload in the Portal and win games. We will visit their barn soon and try this again. QB did well rebounding last night but missed his double-double, drawing much special inside attention from the Mean Green Winning Machine.

[wichshock65]

The last 30 seconds of the game was a total coaching embarrassement. Down 2 possessions and UNT had the ball yet no fouls? Nothing to stop the clock? I swear Mills was trying to lose that game. Just awful.

[JVShocker]

Didn't watch. Didn't listen. Really have lost nearly all interest in this thing. College basketball that is. And the Shockers. What I want to say is somebody pm me when he's finally gone. But I don't exactly have a lot of faith the current AD will make a better hire. Again.

Before long, season ticket holders will start to drop. I imagine they'll have to reseat men's basketball at some point. I mean, the current administration really hasn't figured out how to put butts in seats. Curious what attendance was like last night for anyone that attended.

[wichshock65]

Didn't watch. Didn't listen. Really have lost nearly all interest in this thing. College basketball that is. And the Shockers. What I want to say is somebody pm me when he's finally gone. But I don't exactly have a lot of faith the current AD will make a better hire. Again.

Before long, season ticket holders will start to drop. I imagine they'll have to reseat men's basketball at some point. I mean, the current administration really hasn't figured out how to put butts in seats. Curious what attendance was like last night for anyone that attended.

Maybe 3k to 4k. Not many folks.

[JVShocker]

Maybe 3k to 4k. Not many folks.

So announced attendance if anyone was there.. 5k? 6k? Smoke and mirrors.

[WuShock16]

So announced attendance if anyone was there.. 5k? 6k? Smoke and mirrors.

Paid attendance 5845

[Dan]

I watched the game with my wife and her friend last night. Her friend, who has never seen the Shockers play, said multiple times “why doesn’t that guy just lob it to the tall guy when he gets in the lane”. I just said because he’s not a smart player. What else can you do?

[forevershockerfan]

It was mentioned last night that the Shockers are 2nd in the AAC in attendance, only behind Memphis.

[ShockRef]

That was kind of an annoying way to lose. We lost our poise and just didn't execute. Great effort to start the 2nd. We need a floor general. Marshall would have benched Bell for half the game on some of those forced drives. You gotta teach a kid not to do that.

UNT didn't play particularly well, but good teams find a way to win when its not their best night.
They had just enough to beat WSU last night because they know how to win when crunch time comes along.

Thought it was point on point that WSU called a TO with little time leftt and down by two points.
The out of TO set called for getting the ball to XB to shoot an off balance trey from the opposite corner of the bench.
I just shook my head.

Not only that was the designed set, but WSU now recognizes that XB is the 'go to guy' when the game is on the line.
I'll repeat that.
Xavier Bell is now the recognized as the game winning option on this team.
Nuff said.

That is all.

[1972Shocker]

The last 30 seconds of the game was a total coaching embarrassement. Down 2 possessions and UNT had the ball yet no fowls? Nothing to stop the clock? I swear Mills was trying to lose that game. Just awful.

Not sure I agree with the no fowls thing. The Shockers often have a bunch of turkeys on the floor at the end of games.

[BOBB]

I thought the boys played hard and relatively smart for most of the game. I really would have liked to see them rewarded instead of pissing down their legs the last few minutes.

One thing I’m learning in sports is that there is really only one way to discipline players: playing time. Don’t want to be Randy Smithson sitting your best players for petty bullshit or mind games, but fail to execute the basics and you come out. Our bench is incredibly short so the guys on the floor know no matter how bad they **** up, they are playing. I understand that as the coach you want your best players on the floor all the time but this is short-termism. 1. You don’t have real consequences for nonperformance and 2. You don’t develop your bench players to a point that they CAN be counted on in an injury or foul situation.

Mills is definitely out of his depth. This and next year are going to be very bad I’m afraid to say.