Rothstein's prediction....

[Rlh04d]

I didn't think Marshall would increase his number of wins last season. I'm not going to be fooled again. It will be more than 30 wins next year.

It'll be a tall order, but I absolutely do not think we're going to lose anywhere close to 6 games in conference next year. Not sure we'll be as incredible out of conference ... but I think we'll be better than 26-8 going into the tournament next year.

I was super-optimistic all tournament and it worked out pretty well. I'm going on a way-too-early prediction of 30-4 next year by the end of the MVC tourney. If we're healthy. Our starting lineup looks awesome, I think Early's going to be an NBA draft pick, we're going to have one of the best 6th men in the game whether it's Evan or anyone else, and our bench is going to be VERY solid (I think Nick Wiggins would start for FSU at the 3 next year, and I think FSU gets into the tourney).

[AndShock]

We really should go undefeated in MVC play next year. I know people will like to throw out the statistic of how it never happens but the MVC blows and we're going to be something else next year. We should've done it 2 years ago and next year should be easier.

[Rlh04d]

We really should go undefeated in MVC play next year. I know people will like to throw out the statistic of how it never happens but the MVC blows and we're going to be something else next year. We should've done it 2 years ago and next year should be easier.

Indiana State will be a solid team next year. UNI is always well coached.

But I think us three are going to be well separated from the rest of the pack.

[shockmonster]

We really should go undefeated in MVC play next year. I know people will like to throw out the statistic of how it never happens but the MVC blows and we're going to be something else next year. We should've done it 2 years ago and next year should be easier.

Every team has games where they "blow" (look at SIU, and Evansville twice this year). Undefeated is difficult for anyone and it's not realistic not to give some room for error.

[ShockerPrez]

Every team has games where they "blow" (look at SIU, and Evansville twice this year). Undefeated is difficult for anyone and it's not realistic not to give some room for error.

If we had Baker and Wessel, we don't lose either of those games.

[Dan]

I'm expecting one of either Lufile or Wiggins to have a surprisingly big year. Both guys came in very raw and now know what they need to work on. Wiggins probably has the most potential but I'm not counting out Lufile - he's extremely athletic and has the potential to make a splash.

[_kai_]

I'm expecting one of either Lufile or Wiggins to have a surprisingly big year. Both guys came in very raw and now know what they need to work on. Wiggins probably has the most potential but I'm not counting out Lufile - he's extremely athletic and has the potential to make a splash.

I'm a real big fan of CJ and Nick. Those 2 guys can really play some hoops.

[pogo]

I'm a real big fan of CJ and Nick. Those 2 guys can really play some hoops.

They both showed flashes of being what they can be last year. At times it was their own fault they did not get to play for any lengthy periods but other times it was a situational sub and didn't get to play long. Looking for both young men to be a larger part of this team.

[shockmonster]

If we had Baker and Wessel, we don't lose either of those games.

Either? I count 3 games mentioned.

Every team has games where they "blow" (look at SIU, and Evansville twice this year). Undefeated is difficult for anyone and it's not realistic not to give some room for error.

Maybe. It's still not realistic not to leave some room for a bad spell where we aren't putting it all together. I would rather that spell happen during the year where we can mentally correct, and then have a run at the end of the season. Look at what happened to Gonzaga this year. They were 31-2 and then dropped a game in the NCAA Tournament. Let's do it earlier if we do it.

[AndShock]

I don't think Gonzaga had a bad spell. We were just better.

[BOBB]

I don't think Gonzaga had a bad spell. We were just better.

I was talking with a Gonzaga alum the other day and he said that when he watched the game he was furious at the contact and physicality and felt that they were really getting jobbed. Then he watched the remaining games and realized that level of physicality is the norm and the way WCC games are officiated is the exception. He feels the Zags need to get more physical and less skilled as long as the game remains called as it is. Reminds me of Marshall's first year in the Valley, skinnying up our players. He, of course, adjusted quickly.

[tropicalshox]

The last part of that game was great basketball by both teams.

[choida]

im still trying to figure out who is not going to be here and or going to have to pay his own way here next season

[WSUwatcher]

I was talking with a Gonzaga alum the other day and he said that when he watched the game he was furious at the contact and physicality and felt that they were really getting jobbed. Then he watched the remaining games and realized that level of physicality is the norm and the way WCC games are officiated is the exception. He feels the Zags need to get more physical and less skilled as long as the game remains called as it is. Reminds me of Marshall's first year in the Valley, skinnying up our players. He, of course, adjusted quickly.

NCAA basketball is definitely a contact sport and has been for a long time. My favorite home WSU memory, all these years later, is still the great NCAA comeback win over Iowa that made possible the Battle at New Orleans. I sat in one of the first few rows almost directly under the basket at one end, close enough to hear the play (especially underneath) as well as see it, and there was a LOT of physicality on display that day. Part of WSU's rally was toughening up as the game progressed -- realizing how much contact was being allowed and adjusting, which fortunately they did.

There's a reason college basketball players hit the weights the way they do, and Gregg Marshall and his guys know it, and they know it pays off.

[Aargh]

Speaking of physical play - I was around when Wes Unseld played in the Valley. Nobody guarded Unseld very close - if they did, they got hurt. Unseld "never made body contact" when he played D and blocked shots. Back then, every team in the Valley (well, every reasonably successful team) had a post player who could handle the really physical play down low.

The Valley has a history of physical post play. When the schools who couldn't recruit physical post players joined the Valley, it became a guard-oriented league.

Randy Smithson coached a physical style of ball. Jamar Howard was a very physical player. In a league where that was no longer expected, the officials thought they needed to control that type of play and WSU became the "team to watch for fouls" in the league.

Now that Marshall is coaching the most physical style of ball in the Valley in 30 - 40 years and has a F4, maybe the Valley will decide to let WSU play a little physical in the league. Or they may decide that parity is important and call a lot of fouls to make sure the also-rans have a chance to win.