WSU VERSUS OHIO STATE PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[Ricardo del Rio]

John Gasaway, ESPN
Wichita State must take care of ball

"I think the Shockers' best chance at avoiding that fate is to simply take care of the basketball. Doing something about OSU's huge tournament turnover margin is very much within Wichita State's control. To this point in the tournament the Buckeyes have given away the ball on just 13 percent of their possessions, while forcing turnovers 22 percent of the time. The Shockers have posted a very good 17 percent turnover rate in wins over Pittsburgh, Gonzaga and La Salle. Malcolm Armstead in particular has been impressive, committing one turnover in 153 personal offensive possessions. If Armstead and his teammates continue that kind of performance, it could come down to hero ball yet again for the favored Buckeyes."

[wsushox1]

I still think Armstead can abuse Craft.

[Rlh04d]

Probably posted elsewhere, but I enjoyed it: "Ohio State Should Fear Wichita State" http://www.midmajormadness.com/2013/...-state-wichita

[Rlh04d]

This is absolutely going to be a tough game, but it's amazing how completely relaxed about it I am. I get nervous about MVC games ... I was sweating bullets for the MVC tournament. And while anxious about the first round game against Pitt, this one ... not worried at all.

I definitely wouldn't guarantee we're going to win. But we're a massive success win or lose -- we have been since we beat Pitt. There's no way in hell a team should lose their 5 leading scorers from last year, lose two of our best 3 point shooters for essentially the entire season, and have THIS level of success. Kentucky couldn't even get past the first round of the NIT doing likewise with the #2 recruiting class in the country. This season has been a monumental success in even reaching the tournament.

And I'm not worried that we can compete with Ohio State. They might win, but they're not going to run us out of the building. If they win, it's going to be a tough, hard fought game, and they're going to have to earn it.

Win or lose, I'm phenomenally proud of this team. All of the pressure is on Ohio State, just as it was on Gonzaga. I'm concerned for the safety of everyone around me if we win tonight, but I'm not anxious about this game at all. Just excited. Let's get out there and punch them in the mouth and see how THEY respond. What do we have to lose?

[60Shock]

Just come out smoking and play the type of Shocker basketball we know this team can play, and it's Final Four.

I think the last time we played Ohio State (could have been a game since) was when John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas were their All Americans. They also had a guard who played some. Believe his name was Bobby Knight or something like that. He later coached a wee bit and it seemed he had a penchant for rearranging chairs.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Higgins and McCall working the Marquette/Syracuse game.

[OSU87]

Without a doubt WSU can compete and win. I'm one nervous Buckeye right now. Of course I'm nervous before every big game.

Good luck, guys and gals.

This is absolutely going to be a tough game, but it's amazing how completely relaxed about it I am. I get nervous about MVC games ... I was sweating bullets for the MVC tournament. And while anxious about the first round game against Pitt, this one ... not worried at all.

I definitely wouldn't guarantee we're going to win. But we're a massive success win or lose -- we have been since we beat Pitt. There's no way in hell a team should lose their 5 leading scorers from last year, lose two of our best 3 point shooters for essentially the entire season, and have THIS level of success. Kentucky couldn't even get past the first round of the NIT doing likewise with the #2 recruiting class in the country. This season has been a monumental success in even reaching the tournament.

And I'm not worried that we can compete with Ohio State. They might win, but they're not going to run us out of the building. If they win, it's going to be a tough, hard fought game, and they're going to have to earn it.

Win or lose, I'm phenomenally proud of this team. All of the pressure is on Ohio State, just as it was on Gonzaga. I'm concerned for the safety of everyone around me if we win tonight, but I'm not anxious about this game at all. Just excited. Let's get out there and punch them in the mouth and see how THEY respond. What do we have to lose?

[Belludi]

Okay, I'm at fox and hound! Got a beer, same shirt as Thursday night (couldn't get same booth) Iv got on an extra layer of deorderent and I'm nervous as hell!
Go shox!

[ShockerPrez]

Let's turn this analysis around for a minute....

Who on their team is going to handle Ron Baker?

Who's gonna guard Early if he decides to take them outside and inside?

Who's gonna outrebound Carl Hall?

How are they going to get whoever Tekele guards, free?

How will they counter Malcolm Armstead's drives to the bucket?

They got a lot of weapons, but so do we. We got some wrinkles that THEY have to deal with. I hope we come out on the offensive as opposed to reacting to what they do.

[Rlh04d]

Let's turn this analysis around for a minute....

Who on their team is going to handle Ron Baker?

Who's gonna guard Early if he decides to take them outside and inside?

Who's gonna outrebound Carl Hall?

How are they going to get whoever Tekele guards, free?

How will they counter Malcolm Armstead's drives to the bucket?

They got a lot of weapons, but so do we. We got some wrinkles that THEY have to deal with. I hope we come out on the offensive as opposed to reacting to what they do.

How will they handle Jake White's 3's?

WhiteFor3.jpg

(Where's the love for White holding the pose on that 3?)

[im4wsu]

How will they handle Jake White's 3's?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]694[/ATTACH]

(Where's the love for White holding the pose on that 3?)

Or EO's free throws?

[wusphlash]

I'm reading the tea leaves. Larry Bird is in some AT&T commercials we hadn't seen until today. The last time a MVC team went to a Final Four, 1979 ISU featuring Larry Bird.

[ShockRef]

Just come out smoking and play the type of Shocker basketball we know this team can play, and it's Final Four.

I think the last time we played Ohio State (could have been a game since) jwas when John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas were their All Americans. They also had a guard who played some. Believe his name was Bobby Knight or something like that. He later coached a wee bit and it seemed he had a penchant for rearranging chairs.

Just do what you do best & we'll be alright. I just feel a certain confidence right now. Its our time!

[isu87]

all right Shockers, you're up next, beat the Buckeyes!!

[kstarheel]

excited.... I believe!