UNI game observations

[Dan]

I went to my first game of the year last night. My take: nothwithstanding the talent gap between the two teams, our guards, as a group, are difference makers. UNI may be inferior athletes, but these guys typically shoot high percentages and make a lot of 3 pointers. Our guards were in there face all night and were relentless on the perimeter. As lutz said in his article, they are all tremendous rebounders. Orupke and Lufile are really good at clearing the lane and all of our guards were crashing the lane every single time to snag the boards. Early also has a knack for getting his hands in there and punching the ball out if an opponent is about to pull down the board. When you have a team of guys playing like that, it's tough to beat them. Jake was effective due to the matchups of like kinded players. I can see him doing well against several of our conference opponents such as drake, evansville, etc. Carl getting injured has really forced our guys ro grow together as a team and play true team ball. As long as guys don't try to play the hero role, i think we have a great team here.

[ShockRef]

The defense last night was suffocating.

It was in your face, pit bull tough, bad azz defense. UNI didn't know what to do and then quickly realized that resistance was futile.

What I really liked was they never took a play off, even when the was zero doubt about the outcome.

I would imagine the final score sent shockwaves throughout The Valley brothers when they saw the score.

Now, just don't let up on Drake.

[forevershockerfan]

I would like to echo the sentiments of what was written on both posts above. The Valley teams may have thought we were down, and out and somewhat vulnerable when UNI came knocking. Some of their fans visited SN crowing about how good they are and that tough Non Con schedule they just played. Historically, we are tough at home and win our fair share of games. For the past few Seasons, we became the best Shocker road team based on results and wins as well.

Coach Marshall can recruit and his teams rebound and play the D, Thus, we won the NIT 2 Seasons ago followed by a Valley Championship and a punched Dance ticket. One key to this Season's team is that we beat a tough VCU team on the road that these last 2 Shocker teams did not beat. Yes, we were hitting on 12 cylinders at that time. Teams peak, sometimes more than once as the duration of a long Season progresses. The key becomes overall consistency and peaking when the time is right. With that said, we will get back to a Squad of around 11 players. With us facing adversity and kicking it in the teeth so far, what will be our destiny this very Season? Dunno, but I like what I see, and so far---so good. One last thing, From the get-go, I said that this Team could be special on Defense. If that rings true, we keep improving as a team, and we can hit shots like we did versus UNI, watch out!!!

[pinstripers]

I'm really worried about Wiggins. Dunno whether he won't or whether he can't, but 25 minutes a game is just screaming his name and he's not getting it.

[Aargh]

I'm really worried about Wiggins. Dunno whether he won't or whether he can't, but 25 minutes a game is just screaming his name and he's not getting it.

Wiggins is still learning how to play D. Until he gets that worked out he's not going to be working much on his offensive game, so we'll get results like we saw last night. Different players adjust to D1 ball at different paces. I'm not worried about Wiggins. I doubt he has cost us a game this year. Give him time to learn a different style of ball than he's used to playing. Wiggins could be the "fresh legs" flower that blooms in February. Those are always nice to have.

UNI's shooters didn't want to shoot - they didn't even want the ball. Their passers didn't want the ball. They didn't want the guy they were "trying" to guard to get the ball.

Koch was UNI's "Player of the Game". Koch is a post player. He scored 7 points on 2/8 shooting from the floor. He was outrebounded by Armstead (4), Williams (4), and Cotton (6). Armstead, Williams, and Cotton combined for 14 rebounds. UNI's entire team had 15 boards. UNI's PoG post player had 1 more rebound that 5'11" FVV, because Fred didn't get any.

That wasn't just defeat - it wasn't even just humiliation. It was absolute dominance causing the opponent to not even want to play the game. I never thought I'd see a Jacobsen-coached team give up on Jake, but UNI did. they did because there was absolutely nothing they could do that produced any positive results. The margin of the W could have been 40 points instead of 25.

[shoxlax]

I don't want to even venture over there, but is the UNI board giving us any props or is it more about them laying a egg last night?

[SB Shock]

I don't want to even venture over there, but is the UNI board giving us any props or is it more about them laying a egg last night?

They saw what the world saw - their veteran, senior lead team was slow, nonathletic and got manhandled by a team with 3 starters out. They got owned so bad that they quit trying and were just going through the motions.

[tropicalshox]

Everybody knows Hall is a main player for WSU, but most outside of Wichita fans don't realize Wessel and Baker were also starters. The Shockers and staff are not getting all the credit they deserve.

[pinstripers]

Everybody knows Hall is a main player for WSU, but most outside of Wichita fans don't realize Wessel and Baker were also starters. The Shockers and staff are not getting all the credit they deserve.

It's almost mind-boggling

[bleed yellow]

Panthernation seems to be in meltdown mode. No positives for WSU. They are saying we have no academic standard.. noting that Marshall is being paid very well and hasn't won a ncaa tourny game yet AND didn't seem aware that WSU had 3 starters on the bench.

[Kung Wu]

They saw what the world saw - their veteran, senior lead team was slow, nonathletic and got manhandled by a team with 3 starters out. They got owned so bad that they quit trying and were just going through the motions.

"Dude ... it was just one night, when our players were exhausted due to almost smacking Louisville (#2 in the country) down. Football. We can still get an at large bid, we just need to run the table and beat down Duke in the Bracket Busters game. Football. Did I mention we _almost_ hung with Louisville (who was #2 in the country)? Football. I think Mitchell just had an off night, once he's back in he will penetrate every player in the country. With his meat sword. Football. UNI is an automatic at-large 6 seed."

[SB Shock]

Panthernation seems to be in meltdown mode. No positives for WSU. They are saying we have no academic standard.. noting that Marshall is being paid very well and hasn't won a ncaa tourny game yet AND didn't seem aware that WSU had 3 starters on the bench.

taken from UNI game thread

We are getting out played in every single aspect of the game! We look slow on defense and out of control on offense.

They're missing 3 key players including their best player and they're taking it too us right now. Its not that we're losing, its that we're getting handled.

Someone needs to send in child protective services to stop this beating

We have about 3-4 players who wouldn't dream of seeing the floor at WSU or CU.

I don't think any of our starters would start for either.

Are we this bad?

Or, is Wichita St really this good?

Wsu is actually better than this. They have 3 key contributors out with injuries.

They have three guys sitting that average 25 ppg.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

"Dude ... it was just one night, when our players were exhausted due to almost smacking Louisville (#2 in the country) down. Football. We can still get an at large bid, we just need to run the table and beat down Duke in the Bracket Busters game. Football. Did I mention we _almost_ hung with Louisville (who was #2 in the country)? Football. I think Mitchell just had an off night, once he's back in he will penetrate every player in the country. With his meat sword. Football. UNI is an automatic at-large 6 seed."

Spit out my drink!! Good thing they have football. Checked the bowl schedule... Who do they play again?

[forevershockerfan]

I'm really worried about Wiggins. Dunno whether he won't or whether he can't, but 25 minutes a game is just screaming his name and he's not getting it.

Mr Wiggins rocks. He gets minutes, and he gets up to a point a minute. Cotton also plays the same position. Last night, Cotton was everywhere, including playing the D. like a rock star. Meanwhile, It appeared to this Offensive minded amatuer that W. missed a defensive assignment that stuck out like a sore thumb and our foes scored a rare uncontested layup. Next thing I knew, Mr. Wiggins was back on the pine. During times like this, I just trust 3G and know that all of these happenings are scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb. Thus, those Shockers that are hot, executing, and following instuctions. will lead us first and foremost to the 25 point surpass. Not sure this helps, but that is what I witnessed with my finite amatuer observations.

[SB Shock]

Northern Iowa paper observations

You had to be there – Charles Koch Arena is the toughest place to play in the Valley. The place was packed, and it was absolutely rocking at times in the second half. It's a scary thought as to what it would be like if the game had been halfway close. The fans scream when something good happens, they scream when something, anything doesn't go their way. And that's the way it should be.
Bonus points are awarded for the Betty White and Justin Bieber head cut-outs thrown up while UNI is shooting free throws.