Why we will make another deep run next year

[WUSHOCKBPELI]

It's not like none of you are aware of any of the reasons I am about to list I just am still high on this Final 4 and am going into depth into why we can and will make another DEEP (Elite 8, FF) in the tournament.

1.CHEMISTRY. Another year under their belt, Fred running the offense, Baker and Clea being on the same page. When I think of our game I really don't see a weakness. We have 3 guys coming in who can play the 4 or 5. I am not sure of their names, but I am sure (Sources) that is the reason White transfered, he wasn't going to see any playing time.

2. SHOOTERS. If we need a 3 late in the game. EVEN if someone is in foul trouble. Cleanthony. Baker. Fred. Wessel. There are 4 players that if it came down to it I would feel comfortable them shooting the game winning shot.

3. MTXE. Enough Said. NO ONE IN THE COUNTRY PLAYS LIKE US. The SWAG that HCGM has this team play at is one of the toughest to play against in the nation. That is why teams struggle. They aren't used to smash mouth basketball. We play scrappy and tough. Those divison 1 schools who constantly are top 5 play clean "Preppy" basketball. When matched up with us they don't know what to do. That causes Turnovers.

4. HCGM- Easily one of the top 10 coaches in the nation.

5. Koch Arena. I don't see us losing a game at home this year. That is going to make for a great record, a good seed, and another year of Play Angry Shocker Nation Basketball.

[WuShock16]

Every coach in America can probably try to play the "Us Against The World" card. However, let's be honest. Your team either isn't good enough to truly use that rally cry and have success...or you are in a Power-6 conference to where you cannot engrain that chip-on-shoulder mentality into your players as easily.

Wichita State is in a unique situation to where the players were maybe under-the-radar and hungry to prove people wrong...but are still good enough to do something about it. Certainly, as long as Shocker Basketball is under Gregg's watch, I don't see that changing. Yes, we all hope to continue to see the talent level rise to unprecedented levels, but I can promise you that Gregg won't change his style to make that happen, ala SIU when they were able to get higher-rated players but not the nasty, gritty players that made the Salukis a force in the mid-2000's. Gregg will continue to bring in the tough guys who will play MTXE type basketball...guys who won't feel like they are entitled to go to the Final Four.

[scottie924]

2. SHOOTERS. If we need a 3 late in the game. EVEN if someone is in foul trouble. Cleanthony. Baker. Fred. Wessel. There are 4 players that if it came down to it I would feel comfortable them shooting the game winning shot.

I think you forgot Nick. I'd feel more than comfortable with him taking a three as well.

[RoyalShock]

It's not like none of you are aware of any of the reasons I am about to list I just am still high on this Final 4 and am going into depth into why we can and will make another DEEP (Elite 8, FF) in the tournament.

1.CHEMISTRY. Another year under their belt, Fred running the offense, Baker and Clea being on the same page. When I think of our game I really don't see a weakness. We have 3 guys coming in who can play the 4 or 5. I am not sure of their names, but I am sure (Sources) that is the reason White transfered, he wasn't going to see any playing time.

2. SHOOTERS. If we need a 3 late in the game. EVEN if someone is in foul trouble. Cleanthony. Baker. Fred. Wessel. There are 4 players that if it came down to it I would feel comfortable them shooting the game winning shot.

3. MTXE. Enough Said. NO ONE IN THE COUNTRY PLAYS LIKE US. The SWAG that HCGM has this team play at is one of the toughest to play against in the nation. That is why teams struggle. They aren't used to smash mouth basketball. We play scrappy and tough. Those divison 1 schools who constantly are top 5 play clean "Preppy" basketball. When matched up with us they don't know what to do. That causes Turnovers.

4. HCGM- Easily one of the top 10 coaches in the nation.

5. Koch Arena. I don't see us losing a game at home this year. That is going to make for a great record, a good seed, and another year of Play Angry Shocker Nation Basketball.

I can't really argue with any of that. The only minor "devil's advocate" position I could take is on #1. Kadeem Coleby has had a year to practice with the guys but we'll have to see how the other two incoming post players blend in. Chemistry is a delicate thing, so you never know how the new guys will mix with the old.

[1972Shocker]

I can't really argue with any of that. The only minor "devil's advocate" position I could take is on #1. Kadeem Coleby has had a year to practice with the guys but we'll have to see how the other two incoming post players blend in. Chemistry is a delicate thing, so you never know how the new guys will mix with the old.

Agreed and replacing the Heart and Soul of this team (Malcolm and Carl) may not be quite as easy as everyone assumes. Time will tell.

[Snapshot9]

I think we will be okay with guard play having Fred, Baker, and Holland, but the post play is in question. It isn't easy to replace Hall. I have seen Coleby and Morris both listed as 6'7", and I have seen Coleby listed as 6'9", which is it? Only having a 6'7" post player on a National basis will be a hard road to hoe, especially when going up against 7 footers.

The new team will have a learning curve to go through, and we could drop a game or two because of it.

[tropicalshox]

I think we will be okay with guard play having Fred, Baker, and Holland, but the post play is in question. It isn't easy to replace Hall. I have seen Coleby and Morris both listed as 6'7", and I have seen Coleby listed as 6'9", which is it? Only having a 6'7" post player on a National basis will be a hard road to hoe, especially when going up against 7 footers.

The new team will have a learning curve to go through, and we could drop a game or two because of it.

Marshall said Coleby was the tallest play on the team outside of EO. I believe 6-9 therefore must be correct.

[WstateU]

http://www.kansas.com/2012/08/20/2456706/shocker-basketball-adds-two-walk.html

http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7500&ATCLID=205717294

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/46128/kadeem-coleby

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Kadeem-Coleby-84273

[im4wsu]

http://www.kansas.com/2012/08/20/245...-two-walk.html

Did Washburn ever give Zack his release? Will he have four years of eligibility or just three?

[SFL]

Did Washburn ever give Zack his release? Will he have four years of eligibility or just three?

Yes, I believe they did.

[wufan]

I think we will be okay with guard play having Fred, Baker, and Holland, but the post play is in question. It isn't easy to replace Hall. I have seen Coleby and Morris both listed as 6'7", and I have seen Coleby listed as 6'9", which is it? Only having a 6'7" post player on a National basis will be a hard road to hoe, especially when going up against 7 footers.

The new team will have a learning curve to go through, and we could drop a game or two because of it.

I can't find ANYTHING that says Kadeem is 6-7. Lufile is also 6-9, though he will likely be #3 on the depth chart.

For PGs, don't forget Bowles, whom I believe will be ahead of Holland and Baker (at PG only) on the depth chart. Having Baker or Cotton on the court with our PG will also be a huge advantage in that they are more combo guards. Wiggins and Wessel at the three will be a great combo. Early and Carter at the 4 is excellent. Coleby and Morris at the five is questionable, but promising. Green will also find a place in the rotation at either the 3 or the 4. If Morris isn't game ready, Carter might play center with Coleby and Green might back up Early.

[wusphlash]

Having stood next to both, I can tell you that Kadeem is taller than Carl. Kadeem is a big dude.

[Zorkon]

I'm optimistic for lots of reasons. Everyone still has a lot to prove. Early wants to be drafted. Wiggins wants to prove that he can do more than score. I'm not sure what to expect from Morris, but I get the impression that he plans to have an immediate impact. After Carter goes through the strength training and battles Coleby and Morris the scoring weapons inside should be better next season. Armstead was valuable as the transition into the FVV years.

Just guessing, but I'm thinking fewer losses next year. Win the MVC. Maybe even win the MVC tourney for a change. Get a better seed for the NCAA. A great chance of making the sweet 16. From there it gets tough, but that goes for the other teams as well. One difference is that no power conference teams will overlook WSU next year.

[Dave Stalwart]

Having stood next to both, I can tell you that Kadeem is taller than Carl. Kadeem is a big dude.

Kadeem has beautiful pecks, too. Not saying how I know that.

[proshox]

Kadeem was the biggest guy on the team. He might not be as tall as EO, but he will have be a beast....