WSU VERSUS PITTSBURG PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[rrshock]

Just hoping that I don't have to work before the game is over. I am getting really anxious awaiting the tip off. I have a good feeling about today's game. Go Shocks!

[garylee]

my prediction - shocks down 1 with final possession. MA dribbles into a double team and throws up a wild last second attempt that catches iron, but is rebounded by CH and put back in for a 61-60 WIN

[RomeoCrennel's Belly]

Extremely nervous for this game. I just hope our offense shows up. :poster_wu:

[Slalomshocker]

How many of you would be throwing up "a hope and a prayer" if we were playing Rutgers? They are from the Big East, and about to be from the Big 10. I'm guessing not too many would question WSUs chances against the Scarlet Knights....yet here we are claiming it will take "a hope and a prayer" to beat Pitt? Jan. 5, 2013 Pitt @ Rugers: Rutgers 67 - Pitt 62.

One other little tid bit:

December 2, 2006 Wichita St. @ Syracuse (since we keep bringing up the 2009 CBE game)
WSU 64
'Cuse 61

The Big East is nothing but a name on a jersey. WSU plays a Big East style of play. I would understand the doom and gloom if the game was against L'Ville or G'Town...maybe even 'Cuse with the zone....but to be so scared of a team that is virtually identical to our own just because they play in the Big East....come on guys. I'm not saying for you to run down and put your life savings on WSU in this one, I am merely saying it should be a very evenly matched game. I will put a solid chunk of cash on the fact that WSU will NOT be out physicalled in this one. Individual players maybe, but as a whole...nah.

And for good measure:
March 21,2013 NCAA 2nd Rnd in Salt Lake City
WSU 73
Pitt 55

[SubGod22]

How many of you would be throwing up "a hope and a prayer" if we were playing Rutgers? They are from the Big East, and about to be from the Big 10. I'm guessing not too many would question WSUs chances against the Scarlet Knights....yet here we are claiming it will take "a hope and a prayer" to beat Pitt? Jan. 5, 2013 Pitt @ Rugers: Rutgers 67 - Pitt 62.

One other little tid bit:

December 2, 2006 Wichita St. @ Syracuse (since we keep bringing up the 2009 CBE game)
WSU 64
'Cuse 61

The Big East is nothing but a name on a jersey. WSU plays a Big East style of play. I would understand the doom and gloom if the game was against L'Ville or G'Town...maybe even 'Cuse with the zone....but to be so scared of a team that is virtually identical to our own just because they play in the Big East....come on guys. I'm not saying for you to run down and put your life savings on WSU in this one, I am merely saying it should be a very evenly matched game. I will put a solid chunk of cash on the fact that WSU will NOT be out physicalled in this one. Individual players maybe, but as a whole...nah.

It's not "we". It's the traditional doom and gloom crowd of KC and another shocker. They're the ones impressed by conference affiliation.

[ripemupshocks]

last time out, their guards made a mockery of the shockers (clevin would have made little to no difference btw). so forget that guard stuff..look for pitt to control the perimeter, more of the same.. end of..

shox need to try and work the boards and hope/pray for the best.

Sorry another shocker, but with all due respect, that's just crazy talk. CH was our Senior starting Point Guard. That season he led the team in PPG-12.0, APG-4.7, 3P%-.425, 3PM-62, FT%-.904, and was second in SPG-1.3 (TM was first at 1.4). CH was quick and smart. To say he "would have made little to no difference" is.................crazy talk. In fact, I think if CH would've played, we would've won that game.

[rrshock]

Is it 12:40 yet? I've got the 2006 MVC champs shirt on I was wearing when they made the run to the sweet 16 that year. Had to break it out today.

[ShockerPrez]

I just wanted to say "Good Luck, we're all counting on you."

[jocoshock]

Sorry if this has already been posted, I know some comparisons have been made but these two teams statistically are VERY close to each other all the way up and down the line. Hope the game is as close as the status, with the SHOX coming out on top.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/teams/compare?t1-season=2012-2013&t1-type=&t1=pittsburgh&t2=wichita-state

I am excited and optimistic!!! GO SHOX!!!!

[ShockerPrez]

Good thing bars open at 11:00. That should be enough time to get ready for the game.

Can't wait.

Go Shox! Play like we all know you can.

[shockerofandover0943]

After re-watching a couple of Pitt's game, it seems like they allow a lot of guard penetration on defense. DePaul's guards were routinely getting to the middle of the defense and scoring at the rim. That is where Malcolm and Demetric's games need to start. Get to the middle of their defense, finish lay-ups and Carl needs to finish his bunnies also.

One thing I noticed is that, while Pitt may not put up a ton of points per game, they do seem to enjoy playing at a fast pace. DePaul pressed them a lot in the first half and they would generally break that press with ease and finish easy lay-ups and hit open 3's. They seem to be a team that actually hits their open shots, so the Shocks better bring their best defensive effort.

Pitt seemed to handle the zone defenses that St. John's and DePaul threw at them with relative ease. Their ball movement was good and they were routinely getting good looks, both at the rim and on the perimeter. I know we don't run a lot of zone defense but this does not seem like a game where we should play much of it, at all. Pitt has some makers on the perimeter and going to a zone hurts one of our biggest strengths: rebounding.

We can beat this team. We have to limit their easy points and open shots. Pitt in their half-court set on offense looks very similar to our half-court sets on offense: dribble around the perimeter under 10 seconds are left on the shot clock, then attempt to make something happen. I will take my chances of stopping them in that scenario.

[newshock1234]

Im shocked, I just saw Digger Phelps pick us to beat Pitt.

[KC Shox]

Pitt's big men down low will not yield a lot of scoring opportunities. The word is out, make WSU beat you from outside. No doubt they've had time to scout us out and recognize this matchup issue. While EO may play relatively well on D, he won't help whatsoever offensively. We absolutely must spread Pitt out by making our perimeter shots. If we fail to do that, we fail to win the game.

[ShockerPrez]

Im shocked, I just saw Digger Phelps pick us to beat Pitt.

Thats not a good thing....

[WstateU]

Im shocked, I just saw Digger Phelps pick us to beat Pitt.

Say it ain't so?