Wichita State vs. LaSalle- Sweet Sixteen Showdown Discussion and Predictions

[jocoshock]

How do they keep getting it done? Is it just hot shooting?

Is it kstate and ole miss going to sleep or what?

I'm a little nervous because we still have to play really well from here on out, but la salle has me baffled

I didn't get to watch either of the LaSalle games against KSU or Mississippi. I did listen to some of the KSU game on the radio.

I share the concerns over matchups and the 4 guard lineup. I would be much more concerned if our was playing at the leve we did against SIU and Evansville, but we are not. Never the less I smell trap game. If the Shox maintain their focus, I don't see an issue. I am hoping the team takes an opportunity to make this another "statement" game.

GO SHOX!!!

[jocoshock]

I am curious as to how they beat VCU at their place. That got my attention.

Maybe some of our VCU friends can give us a scout.

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=330262670

the Explorers beat No. 19 VCU 69-61, giving them consecutive wins against ranked teams for the first time in more than 60 years. "The biggest step probably in La Salle program history."

Galloway scored 31 points, 12 during an 18-4 run in the second half Saturday night, and La Salle turned back a late rally by the Rams to follow up a dramatic, one-point victory on Wednesday night against No. 9 Butler with another one.

[jocoshock]

I think we're a better team than La Salle.

I also think we're a better team than Evansville and SIU. And we lost to both of them.

So ... if we play our game and treat them with respect as a legitimate Sweet 16 team, I think we win by 10. If we look at the #13 seed and start looking ahead to the Elite 8, might as well call La Salle George Mason.

Amen...

[ShockerPrez]

I know we like to believe this is the first of many sweet 16s in our future, and that may very well happen.

But these opportunities dont come easy, and when you're there, you gotta take advantage.

With that being said, we need to get look at that door, get the masterkey and the battering ram out for this game. Shoot the hinges off the doir and beat that somebitch down. Take nothing for granted, get every loose ball, stick on them like glue and pound the post with Hall, Early, and White. Armstead, Cotton, Van Vleet, and Baker need to be pesky gnats on their ball handlers.
We do that and we will get our Swat team in the room quick and secure the situation. Only way to do it.

[garylee]

I anticipate a VERY tough game. They will spread us and attack the basket with speed and quickness. While we will have some mismatches offensively so will they with CH, CE and JW having to keep up with their quickness. I think the biggest keys will be points off of turnovers and 3 point % shooting by both teams. If we are even with them in both those stats I like our chances.

[1972Shocker]

I expect this to be a very tough game. The matchups are a concern. We know that the Shocks are capable of beating any of the other 15 teams remaining in the tournament if they play well. We also know the Shocks can easily lose to any of the remaining 15 teams.

How the game goes for the Shocks will largely depend on what Shocker team shows up. I am hopeful that the shooting performance against Gonzaga will have our confidence at a season high. The important thing is the Shocks have a great opportunity in front of them. Hopefully, the will jump on this with all the MTXE they can muster and run with it.

Go Shocks!

[jocoshock]

WSU was 2-2 in the regular season over teams that made the Dance. (not including CU loss at Arch Madness)
LaSalle was 4-4 (not including post season A-10 tourney)

LaSalle is 4-4
Wins against: VCU, Butler, Villanova, Iona
Losses: SLU, Bucknell, Miami, and Temple (Lost to Butler in A10 tourney)


This is going to be a tough game.

[shocker22]

This is Carl's game. I expect big numbers from him in points and rebounds. We need to feed the beast all game. Prediction of his line. 16 points and 12 boards.

[Aargh]

It could be a tough game, but Marshall has put this team together to have a lot of diversity in what he puts on the floor. We can match up against "specialty" teams, but we're playing one of our possible combinations while the other team is playing their bread and butter combination. While we're worrying about how do we stop them, they've got to be worried about how do they stop us.

I don't know how available videos of specific games are, but I doubt any Valley team is going to provide them with a video of the games against UE. If LaSalle has to scout WSU based off of what they've seen in the Tournament, they've got to be scratching their heads.

Depending on how LaSalle plays their post, EO could even be effective. Valley teams learned how to move EO out of position to help on penetration. Without that same level of scouting, LaSalle might not figure that out right away. If EO is allowed to be the help defender on penetration, he can be really discouragin on any shot within 10' of the basket.

I think some fans here are a little too quick to remember the SIU loss and forget about the other game where Early lit them up for 39. The Shox were probably aoverconfident and a bit too full of themselves when they went to Carbondale. It's easy to let down some when you know the rest of the team will pick it up. When the whole team waits for "someone" to pick it up, you lose - even to SIU. I doubt that will be a problem in this game.

[MetDrakeFan]

LA Salle is good and super fast on the perimeter.  WSU guards and bigs really need to protect the ball from their wick hands.  And bids need to be very careful of fook trouble, as I imagine their coach will see the aggression the Shocks play with and have his team flopping around for drawing offensive found. Carl will be stronger than every one if their players. He needs to play more methodical to avoid drawing charges

[MetDrakeFan]

Double post

[Jeffrey Korchek]

LA Salle is good and super fast on the perimeter.  WSU guards and bigs really need to protect the ball from their wick hands.  And bids need to be very careful of fook trouble, as I imagine their coach will see the aggression the Shocks play with and have his team flopping around for drawing offensive found. Carl will be stronger than every one if their players. He needs to play more methodical to avoid drawing charges

Autocorrect is basically the best thing ever.

[wu_shizzle]

This game will most likely hinge on our ability to defend.

Defense still wins championships.

[Ixiah]

For any curious - here is a link to the only active Explorer forum I could find:

http://explorertown.proboards.com/board/1/explorer-men-basketball-talk

Also, really cool story on the radio yesterday about Tim Tebow (NY Jets QB) congratulating the team at the airport. :poster_wu:

[shockerfan]

Hopefully they drive at Orukpe like SIU did the first time. He only had 9 blocks in that game I believe. ;) This time we have Baker also. Should be able to help guard their perimeter guys.