MSU @ WSU

[Kung Wu]

Nuff said.

[Dave Stalwart]

When EO does the post game, his voice is so deep and slow and sexy, I feel like I'm listening to a slow jam.

I feel like Isaac Hayes should have done a song about EO.

[Kung Wu]

Great game! Anyone notice early in the first half when the msu player got ripped by their coach? He was hitting the player's legs on both sides after screaming for him to sit down. The player then put on his warm up shirt and sweats. He didnt play again in the first half. Anyone see what happened?

It was one of his key players who drew a second foul so he wasn't able to play him anymore that half. The conversation I am sure was more of the "I need you out there" variety than ripping him. I did watch the whole thing.

[MadaboutWu]

We executed better in every facet of the game against the Bares tonight. That being said I'm still concerned about our ability to break the zone. It didn't seem like our offensive scheme changed at all from the previous losses. Tonight our players were bigger, stronger, faster, and more focused than our opponent and we shot pretty well from deep. It was a strong performance and a good way to recover from a slump.

Oh, it changed all right. Much crisper passes. Reversing between courtsides. Little dribbling without purpose. Looking into the post more. Better off-ball movement. Some screens for off-ball players. Jake and Nick expanding their games. Hustle on the glass. Not any especially complicated adjustment, but we were very effective on offense against any defense they threw against us.

[GoShockers89]

And the Western Carolina road win @ Georgia Southern kicks in to boost it up to .5935 and jump us up to 43.

Annnnd the Northern Colorado and Tulsa road wins push it up to .5948.

Shows you how fickle RPI can be.

[Ta Town Shocker]

Oh, it changed all right. Much crisper passes. Reversing between courtsides. Little dribbling without purpose. Looking into the post more. Better off-ball movement. Some screens for off-ball players. Jake and Nick expanding their games. Hustle on the glass. Not any especially complicated adjustment, but we were very effective on offense against any defense they threw against us.

You stated my point perfectly. There wasn't a "complicated adjustment" we just executed it better. I'm not convinced that it will work to perfection as the competition improves in upcoming games.

[Shocker85]

Pretty satisfying win tonight. The Shocks executed their offense with purpose tonight - not nearly as much standing around, over-dribbling by guards, chucking 3's early in possessions, etc. The early zone was no match for the crisp passing, good entry passes into the post, better shooting, etc. The Shocks worked for rebounding position, dove for 50-50 balls and got more hard-nosed on defense. Stuff we all like to watch and that wins games.

This was just one game against a lower division team, but the Shocks seemed to somehow remember the things that got them to their 19-3 record. Hopefully they can keep this in the front of their minds going down the stretch and not revert to the lazy, lethargic ways that could have cost them a chance at the dance.

--'85.

[ShockTalk]

If I might add another reason I believe contributed to the Shocks success, I made the following reply to a post a day or so back:

1) Armstead is better than he's being made out to be since last night. Last night he was on his game early, feeding the post and others. That doesn't mean he hasn't made some real head scratchers, particularly near the end of games. I think both Mal and DWill would do better if more minutes were shared with FVV. Last night Mal played 33, DWill 35 and Fred 13. 27 minutes a piece would have been better, but at least 29, 29, and 23.

Tonight's minutes line was DWill 29, Armstead 23, and FVV 24. I think Fred has a positive effect on Mal and DWill when he's out there with one or the other.

[forevershockerfan]

Winning is grand. Seen lots of positives tonight. We only had around 8 turnovers and beat them in rebounds by 25. That's great for starters. Speaking of starters, 3G shook things up some and at times we appeared to have around 11 starters. We reversed the ball and got into the seams of their zone and made some nice inside entry passes for high percentage makes. Tonight, fsf is docile but not content. The redbirds gave us some needed help tonight for the 3-way tie. We have more work forthcoming and I would not want to be a bulldawg come Wed. night. GRRRRRR!!!!! Can ya dig it? grrrrooooovy graaaaavy baybay!!!

[WuDrWu]

I liked the way the team got back to helping each other. Didn't see the bad vibe that's been floating around for more than the last 3 games.

Fred VanVleet has made a quantum leap forward in the last month. He's still deficient on the defensive end, but his basketball IQ is off the freaking charts and he makes everyone better.

Our lockerroom is nicer than Notre Dame's. Let that sink in for a moment.

My daughter is absolutely up in arms about all these fans running onto the court while she can't. I told her we wait for championships here. I promised her I'd lead the way at St. Louis.

The Valley now has 3 teams on the bubble. Somebody is going to have to get hot to prevent an all or nothing scenario in St. Louis.

Did someone light a fire under CJ? Did you see the way he was moving and playing D? It's like a light went on in that young man's head.

Lots to be happy about tonight, but it's just 1 home game against a team that will play on Thursday.

One thing not to be happy about was Coach working the officials. Higgins was NOT happy with Gregg and let him know it, then Boroski came in during a timeout and chewed Gregg's ass for about 1/2 the timeout. Snarky sarcasm doesn't usually play at this level. There is no reason to be begging to get screwed again when it matters.

[AZ Shocker]

One thing not to be happy about was Coach working the officials. Higgins was NOT happy with Gregg and let him know it, then Boroski came in during a timeout and chewed Gregg's ass for about 1/2 the timeout. Snarky sarcasm doesn't usually play at this level. There is no reason to be begging to get screwed again when it matters.

But I for one "applaud" honestly. If you're gonna talk to the officials....might as well be perfectly honest. ;)

[GoShockers89]

1 more "get well" game, then on to the buzzsaw finish.

I've dreaded that ISUr-ISUb trip all season. Sweep it and we're the studliest of studs. Getting swept = porcupine prostate exam. Anything in between makes for a nervous St. Loo.

First things first, of course. On to the Bulldogs.

[Shockthemonkey]

I too witnessed Higgins and his conversation with HCGM. I think that Marshall had finally had it after what happened at SIU and then how the first half was going. Then I noticed Boroski come over and give Marshall a little more. When he got back to the team during the time out he was a little fired up. He slapped his hands together loudly and yelled something at the guys and dug into his white board.

I get your point about getting screwed down the road by an official he's put on his bad side but honestly... what's the difference from what he's getting now? Especially from Higgins. I know that he refs a ton of big games and he's a veteran official but for some reason he doesn't do WSU many favors in my opinion. I'm not saying T'ing up Early was a case of this. From my upper seats across the arena I saw him earn that T.

[pinstripers]

Higgins is a jackass

[ShockerFever]

Higgins is a jackass

Classic.

I was waiting all night for it. LOL.