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

[RoyalShock]

I think we will have to absorb their barrage from 3. But think we may be able to get some transition baskets, and hopefully get some foul shots.

I don't know. Due to their rebounding woes they focus on getting back and stopping transition baskets. They are a good passing team so getting turnovers on the perimeter for fast breaks will be difficult. I think our bigs need to carry us tonight.

[The 'hut]

I have not made a score prediction in the tournament. I will not again. I am nervous, but probably more calm than in the MVC tournament. Shocks have to remember, they too are playing with house money. Have some fun and REU, TEU, GEHS!

[rjl]

If the refs let them play, WSU wins by 15.
If the teams are in the bonus halfway through each half, the game goes down to the wire.

I actually think we'd want the game to be called a little on the tight side. They are undersized and are going to have to do something to compete in the paint. They also have a limited rotation.

So long as we hit our foul shots, we can weather a few close calls against us a lot better than they can weather ones against them.

[Cdizzle]

I don't think WSU EVER really wants the game called tightly. Just evenly.

Play hard. And hope the shots go in. It's a fun ride.

[KC Shox]

Two contrasting styles of play and two contrasting teams in terms of personnel. Each team has their own advantages and disadvantages. We know both teams are good, so this makes it difficult to predict the outcome. It'll probably boil down to which team had an off night.

I'm not worried about the game turning into a track race, in fact, I think this team is better suited for a up tempo affair rather than Valley style of defense first basketball. But the great thing is, the Shox are well equipped to handle either style of play. So if La Salle wants to speed it up a little bit, I'm comfortable with that. If La Salle wants to try and D it up, I think that will play into our hands.

In both the PITT and Gonzaga games, there were numerous times where they got wide open 3 point looks. This simply can't happen in tonight's game, especially knowing that La Salle likes to jack it up beyond the 3. Do not let them beat you from the outside, make them try to win down low where we have the advantage.

We stay out of foul trouble and hit our season averages or better from the field, we win this game 88 - 72.

If La Salle frustrates us by constantly running, screening, driving, dishing, by their whirling dervish of an offense, I'm afraid our legs will get tired (no legs, no shooting accuracy) and we'll get into foul trouble. If this happens and they gain more and more confidence as the game progresses, we lose 71 - 59.

I'm also concerned we won't be wearing our black uni's which have been so good to us in the post season. Yes I'm superstitious like that.

[Snapshot9]

I think defense is the key to this game. If we play good defense, and defend the perimeter tight, I think we win. We have to win the rebounding, and get Carl Hall the ball. La Salle has some fast guards, and I hope we have some weak side help on their dribble drives. I expect a tough game down to the wire.

[60Shock]

Just win and keep moving forward. Like the motto of our space program, "Failure is not an option!"

[shockmonster]

Defending the Three point shot doesn't concern me as much as defending their penetration. If we defend their penetration and stay close to them on the 3 point line, we'll be fine.

[GoShockers89]

This is setting up to be a tailor made game for EO on defense. Zack is big, but so-so on offense...his presence will nevertheless command extra minutes from EO. Having the big guy down low ready to swat everything to Malibu will allow our guards to play gorilla glue defense on the perimeter. That will lead to steals, which leads to transition buckets, which leads to...

...a Shocker win. A comfortable one.

Let's do this!!!!

[Ricardo del Rio]

Just eliminate the dumb fouls is all that I am asking. The really dumb ones. The kind that drives a coach to exasperation.The inexplicable kind of fouls. The kind that makes you say, "What did I just see?"

That's all I am asking.

I hope the players are not as uptight and nervous as I am.

[ShockerPrez]

Jeeeesus! 8 and a half more hours.

Oh well. I hope the team is sitting somewhere listening to whatever motivation the like. With scowls, ready to go punch someone in their stupid face!

[C0|dB|00ded]

I don't think WSU EVER really wants the game called tightly. Just evenly.

Play hard. And hope the shots go in. It's a fun ride.

Exactly!

Just call the damned game fair. Call a foul a foul and leave the whistle in the pocket for the ticky tack **** that has no influence on the game. Let's let these two courageous teams decide on the floor which one will earn the right to advance. Please refs, for the love of God, stay out of the limelight tonight.


T


...:cool:

[shox2k2]

74-66 shox. Shox get a bit lead. La salle rallies but Wsu is too tough and pulls away.

[shoxlax]

Reporting live from LA. Tons of Shocker fans milling around. Mood is festive......hopefully turning to giddy in about 11 hours.

[shoxlax]

LL Cool J in the house.