OFFICIAL FINAL 4 GAME THREAD-WSU VERSUS LOUISVILLE

[lostshocker]

I must ask those here on SN about the inbounds pass from FVV to Hall with 4:52 left to play. When Hall went up to catch it, #44 jumped into Hall, knocked him back and down from the pass, and they get a uncontested lay-up rather than Hall shooting 2 throws. To me, that potential 4 point swing and no-call by the refs was gargantuan in a 4 point game? Did I not see that play correctly? Thoughts?

i think that no call was the first time i got up off the couch during game action. without the 2 pts they score on the free layup they dont have as much momentum.

but we may own the same prescription strength rose-colored glasses.

[KC Shox]

Tonight's game is just painful, especially if Louisville goes on to win. I'd rather of been blow out by 25 than to continue to feel this way. We were so close and had the game in the palm of our hands. Mondays suck but this one sucks like no other.

[ABC]

I must ask those here on SN about the inbounds pass from FVV to Hall with 4:52 left to play. When Hall went up to catch it, #44 jumped into Hall, knocked him back and down from the pass, and they get a uncontested lay-up rather than Hall shooting 2 throws. To me, that potential 4 point swing and no-call by the refs was gargantuan in a 4 point game? Did I not see that play correctly? Thoughts?

Great point.

[1979Shocker]

There are many, many plays that could have turned the game.

-The steal from Armstead under the UL basket late in the game

That one didn't hurt because they didn't score off of it.

[forevershockerfan]

While we may be bummed out, we also understand just what a great 'shot in the arm' this Final 4 was to our Program and just how gallant players were. Only one team walks out victorious with no losses at the Big Dance. Winning not only takes playing well, but also getting some breaks along the way, as Louisville did in our game. As 3G said, we were just 2 plays away from playing in the Championship game. Tell me that when the Season began and even an eternal optimist with rose colored glasses would have trouble processing that accomplishment. In my own life, some of my own lofty goals fall short so I rise up and get busy again.

Several teams at this here Dance had leads in the 2nd half, but yet lost in the end. I think of how close Iowa State was and the controversial call they had. I think of how Pitt, La Salle, the Zags, and Ohio State all thought they would beat us and on 3 out of 4, so did most everybody else but us, and maybe Dicky V. I remember how some of their fans all pointed to how bad they played and that they just had an off game. They too seemed bummed out by a 9 seed team defeating them and also experienced the agony a defeat brings in such contests.

In the scheme of things, this was a Season to always remember and be quite proud of. A 9 seed that 'Shocked the World' with players many on a NATIONAL scale ever even heard of until the Dance. The TV commentators just knew we could not win 3 of those 4 but our road warriors executed the wins and played angry like they just was still not satisfied. Even if we have a better team next Season, will we face a bracket with a very hot team like we were this Season, or will we march right back to this Final 4? Look at how Louisville man-handled Duke in the 2nd half like they were chopped liver. We could not be more proud of our beloved Shocks and know they gave it their all and what a ride it was.

If you wrote a practical script before the Season began, how many of us would have dared say our Shocks make the Final 4? Not this eternal optimist. Now lets see what this April signing period brings and start gearing up for another fun -packed Season, with the bar raised, our expectations high, but realistic.

[Ricardo del Rio]

There are many, many plays that could have turned the game.

-The steal from Armstead under the UL basket late in the game]

That one didn't hurt because they didn't score off of it.

But we lost a possession.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I was more than amazed by how much hard bumping by Louisville was allowed on Shockers, who were advancing the ball up-court.

The Cardinal defenders rode the Shockers hard and administered some hard bumps, which were a great deal more than touch fouls.

At the time, I thought it looked like playground basketball.

[mjbaker84]

I was more than amazed by how much hard bumping by Louisville was allowed on Shockers, who were advancing the ball up-court.

The Cardinal defenders rode the Shockers hard and administered some hard bumps, which were a great deal more than touch fouls.

At the time, I thought it looked like playground basketball.

they clearly let Louisville play their style of basketball with the impeding and constant reach ins

[forevershockerfan]

Why don't we just offer Michigan and the Cuse each 2 games next Season. We will visit them first and then they can play us at Intrust the following Season. Would that be too much to ask? Seriously though, as we build this Program, I hope we play some very tough teams to better prepare us for what to expect each and every March. Maybe we do some 1 and done visits if we get National TV Coverage? We have a group of road warriors that like playing on the road. They play angry, but are not scart, scared, or satisfied. Bring it.

[tropicalshox]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/57409/the-50-best-tweets-about-king-karl-hess-the-notorious-r-e-f?ex_cid=grantland33

I assume Karl Hess grades out as an excellent official since he was in the finsl four. @ShockRef: how do good officals get the worse reputations?

[LoneStar48]

Tonight's game is just painful, especially if Louisville goes on to win. I'd rather of been blow out by 25 than to continue to feel this way. We were so close and had the game in the palm of our hands. Mondays suck but this one sucks like no other.

I'm hoping Louisville wins by a bunch and looks good doing it. That would make our game with them look that much better, and I'll tell you what; those guys were so classy after they beat us. I hope for nothing but good fortune for them and a whole country saying wow; WSU should be the champs!

[1979Shocker]

But we lost a possession.

I'll have to look at the replay again, but I thought after the Louisville player missed the short shot, the battle for the rebound went off of them.

Edit: Okay, I guess it was a tie-up and Louisville got the ball with the possession arrow.

[RyneSandberg]

What a great run by WSU in the tournament; I still am a little in disbelief that the Shocks made it to the Final Four. Beating Gonzaga and OSU was incredible to watch. That being said, I was literally nauseous Saturday night at the end of the game (and not just from the gallons of booze I had seemingly imbibed). WSU deserved to win that game; WSU should have won that game. I thought I was getting over the loss this morning, but getting home from work and realizing that UL is going to play for the freaking national title, and that it very easily could have been the Shockers, has got my stomach churning again.

I know it is pointless to go back and try to nitpick plays from a close game that was lost, but man, there were so many opportunities there. I am sure it has been discussed, but in my opinion the turning point of the game was Orukpe's airballed free throw. Not just because that was when the Shockers had their biggest lead and could have expanded it, but because there seemed to be an instant shift of momentum in the game and the arena; it seemed like I could feel it 1500 miles away in my living room. Maybe it gave UL some swagger back, or created some doubt in the WSU players, but to me that was the turning point in the game. UL's walk-on hit a three, then another after another EO missed FT, and the rest is history.

Again, a great season, and one that every WSU fan will remember always, but it is still painful to think about what could have been. I don't think there's any way I can watch tonight's game.

[another shocker]

What a great run by WSU in the tournament; I still am a little in disbelief that the Shocks made it to the Final Four. Beating Gonzaga and OSU was incredible to watch. That being said, I was literally nauseous Saturday night at the end of the game (and not just from the gallons of booze I had seemingly imbibed). WSU deserved to win that game; WSU should have won that game. I thought I was getting over the loss this morning, but getting home from work and realizing that UL is going to play for the freaking national title, and that it very easily could have been the Shockers, has got my stomach churning again.

I know it is pointless to go back and try to nitpick plays from a close game that was lost, but man, there were so many opportunities there. I am sure it has been discussed, but in my opinion the turning point of the game was Orukpe's airballed free throw. Not just because that was when the Shockers had their biggest lead and could have expanded it, but because there seemed to be an instant shift of momentum in the game and the arena; it seemed like I could feel it 1500 miles away in my living room. Maybe it gave UL some swagger back, or created some doubt in the WSU players, but to me that was the turning point in the game. UL's walk-on hit a three, then another after another EO missed FT, and the rest is history.

Again, a great season, and one that every WSU fan will remember always, but it is still painful to think about what could have been. I don't think there's any way I can watch tonight's game.

coleby is stepping in for orukpe next year. 'trend goes way up.

[MadaboutWu]

coleby is stepping in for orukpe next year. 'trend goes way up.

Then who is stepping in for Hall?