WSU VERSUS GONZAGA PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[forevershockerfan]

Here's the deal. Southern took them to the mat but come up short. Our Shocks will Gong the Zags. However, they will shoot the ball much better. They are a good team but beatable. Their bigs looked solid.

Angry MTXE Road Warrior Shockers 77

Zags get Gonged but barely--------74

[T.VuOP]

My guess it'd be a close game. If today is an indication, they're beatable

[ISASO]

Easy peasy. Duplicate today's defense and pop in 5-6 three's. Que Ron Baker. He's missed enough three's today to last him the whole tournament.

[wsushox1]

Before the Southern game I was concerned about how we were gonna guard Elias Harris, now, I'm not so concerned about him. Sam Dower was MIA today as well, he basically kept Gonzaga in the game at Butler. If Sam Dower shoots his average at Butler, there is no need for Roosevelt Jones's shot-put runner- Butler wins going away.

Shockers win in a game very similar to Tennessee in 2006.

Guarding Pangos, and not losing him for moments - as Southern did - will be key.

I assume Cotton will take him and I have full faith in him being able to stay on Pangos.

[HoracePinker]

My prediction....KC Shox predicts that we will lose because we just aren't in the same league as Gonzaga!

[AZ Shocker]

79-76 ZAGS

[SubGod22]

Shox 84

Zags 75

[1972Shocker]

I have no clue as to how this game will play out. If we knew going in that the Shocks would were going to shoot 2 of 20 three-pointers against Pitt no one, not even @forevershockerfan, would have thought we would beat Pitt, let alone pound them by 18.

It will take another solid team effort to beat Gonzaga and we probably are going to have to shoot much better from the perimenter to beat them. The good thing is we are capable of doing just that. We'll find out Saturday if it happerns. But this Shocker team will not be in awe of or intimidated by Gonzaga, or any other team in this tournament nor should they be.

Go Shocks!

[Dave Stalwart]

It's really hard to make a pick. This is the round of 32. Everyone left is very good and capable of beating anyone.

No way I won't pick the shox at this point even if 'gong zaga' (thank you fsf) is number 1.

They will come out mad and ready after that nearly historic letdown, but we will come out hungry as ever. We also still have half the team that was shooting poorly ready to start hitting them next round.

Hard to say.

Shox 72
Gongzaga 64

[newshock1234]

On twitter they said that Dickie V said we are going to upset the zags!!!

[wsushox1]

On twitter they said that Dickie V said we are going to upset the zags!!!

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/80700/video-vitale-picks-wichita-state-over-zags

Here's the link for those interested.

[Ta Town Shocker]

Athletically, I think we match up nicely. No doubt Baker will have a better game against the Zags. Patterson wasn't a great match-up for Baker today.
The Hall/Harris matchup will be a good one but I think Hall will have the advantage.
Cotton won't have any trouble keeping Pangos in front of him.
Armstead should be able to get around Stockton for some easy shots.

Defensive keys to the game
1. Don't allow for easy layups on the ball screens. Olynyk had several easy layups generated from setting ball screens and rolling to the basket today.
2. Limit the Zags transition opportunities. They are very good in transition.

The Shox will not come out intimidated and this team has to be riding a wave of confidence. Time for them to go out and prove themselves in front of a national audience.

Go Shockers!!!

[calfan]

I think Gonzaga took Southern for granted. That won't happen Saturday against a WSU team that blew out Pitt.
Look for Gonzaga to come out really focused.

WSU will have to hit outside shots to have a chance. We'll see if they can do it.

[ShockerFever]

I would hope we're due for a better 3 point percentage this game. Lord knows it can't get any worse. Baker and Early, as well as Armstead are gonna have to hit some outside shots to have a chance. I'm hoping a close game by Gonzaga last game doesn't get them too extra focused now. I'd almost prefer a blowout over Southern.

If we play with the same intensity on defense as we did today, we will have a chance, and as a 9 seed in this thing, that's all you can ask for.

[1972Shocker]

On twitter they said that Dickie V said we are going to upset the zags!!!

Is that good? or bad? for the Shocks.