Shake and Bake

[Dan]

what are the odds Baker gets some minutes in St. Louis? He could be a valuable piece if he's getting healthy. Anyone have an update on him?

[1979Shocker]

We should know by tomorrow.

[choida]

according to Mr. Early via Twitter...it was exciting having him in practice...doing his thing yesterday!! Sounds like Baker is in the plans for this weekend.

[Shocktoberfest]

according to Mr. Early via Twitter...it was exciting having him in practice...doing his thing yesterday!! Sounds like Baker is in the plans for this weekend.

This has been such a strange year. I don't even remember Ron and Evan. Seriously. It seems like a different season when they played. Weren't they on that really good NIT team?

I think that when we have time to reflect on this season down the road it will seem even more remarkable that we are in position for an NCAA bid. Crazy!

And how sweet it would be to get that stroke back for tourney time. He can't have much game endurance though. Oh well.

[Shoxfan11]

This has been such a strange year. I don't even remember Ron and Evan. Seriously. It seems like a different season when they played. Weren't they on that really good NIT team?

You're right, the VCU game doesn't even feel like it was from this year. I don't even wanna think how much better we'd be if we had everyone healthy and playing.. and seeing VCU absolutely demolish a solid Butler team on their home court, where we won our game against them, makes it hurt a little bit more.

Kind of also shows how spoiled we might be. I remember the Southern Miss game where we were without Wessel and Baker and we were down by 10 or something at the half, and I really thought that the rest of the season wasn't going to go well. But the team showed heart and toughness and came back and won that game, and that toughness has helped carry them through the season. They weren't interested in a "rebuilding" year, even with all of the injuries. I keep seeing people say stuff like "It almost looks like Orupke is limping out there..". I don't think they realize that he has been playing hurt. A LOT of players have. This team has played through all sorts of adversity and if Marshall really doesn't win coach of the year in the Valley, it's almost a sin.

Anyways, sorry for veering off-topic.. Ron looked really good in warmups against Evansville and I think he'll be a pleasant surprise should he get some playing time in the STL.

[KC Shox]

You're right, the VCU game doesn't even feel like it was from this year. I don't even wanna think how much better we'd be if we had everyone healthy and playing.. and seeing VCU absolutely demolish a solid Butler team on their home court, where we won our game against them, makes it hurt a little bit more.

Kind of also shows how spoiled we might be. I remember the Southern Miss game where we were without Wessel and Baker and we were down by 10 or something at the half, and I really thought that the rest of the season wasn't going to go well. But the team showed heart and toughness and came back and won that game, and that toughness has helped carry them through the season. They weren't interested in a "rebuilding" year, even with all of the injuries. I keep seeing people say stuff like "It almost looks like Orupke is limping out there..". I don't think they realize that he has been playing hurt. A LOT of players have. This team has played through all sorts of adversity and if Marshall really doesn't win coach of the year in the Valley, it's almost a sin.

Anyways, sorry for veering off-topic.. Ron looked really good in warmups against Evansville and I think he'll be a pleasant surprise should he get some playing time in the STL.

Injuries happen to all teams. We've done the best we could without those guys, kudos to the players and staff for over achieving. Basketball is a game of matchups, just because VCU did well against Butler doesn't mean we would however. Another reason I am more confident going into the NCAA's (should we be so lucky) than I am in Arch Madness as we do not match up well with the type of defense and familiarity we see in conference.

[Kung Wu]

Injuries happen to all teams.

Not of this caliber or magnitude.

[WSUShokker]

Not of this caliber or magnitude.

Agreed, 3 starters out is a tall order to overcome. Thing about it is we did. We handle adversity much better than we handle success at times. Probably somewhat typical of a young yet very talented team.

[WuDrWu]

“I’m pretty confident I can help the team out in these tournaments coming up,” he said.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/03/06/270...#storylink=cpy

TournamentS

Effing A. Go get 'em Ron.

Why not US?!

[Zardoz]

It's going to be great having Ron back for the end of the year. Even with him just on the bench ready to enter the game should give the other teams something more to have to game plan against.

[1972Shocker]

Baker started 10 games this season before the injury. He might have been able to apply for a sixth season of eligibility in the future, an exception the NCAA sometimes grants. Baker redshirted last season, so that would have been his only route. However, he rehabbed with the idea of playing this season.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/03/06/270...#storylink=cpy

Tough call as to whether Ron should play again this year or stay out and HOPE that we would be granted a 6th year of eligibity down the road. Souds like Ron is bound and determined that he is going to play again this year.

Ron's educational progress and goals probably influence this as well.

[1979Shocker]

Tough call as to whether Ron should play again this year or stay out and HOPE that we would be granted a 6th year of eligibity down the road. Souds like Ron is bound and determined that he is going to play again this year.

Ron's educational progress and goals probably influence this as well.

Whether he gets a 6th year or not, he still has to get his 4-year degree within 5 years. If he's granted the 6th year, then he can take some graduate courses like Carl Hall is.

[tropicalshox]

I really doubt he would get a 6th year.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Yeah i would doubt he gets the 6th year. For no other reason as I could see the NCAA saying whats the point.

I thnk he can contribute this year still. Albeit not as effectively as the beginning of the year. His conditioning is shot but he still has his shot and that could be beneficial down the road.

[1972Shocker]

I thnk he can contribute this year still. Albeit not as effectively as the beginning of the year. His conditioning is shot but he still has his shot and that could be beneficial down the road.

I don't think we will know for sure if he still has his shot and can contribute until it happens under the bright lights. Hope so.