Rothstein's prediction....

[im4wsu]

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

Perhaps, but we still have to deal with the refs.

[shock-it-to-me]

So why exactly did wiggins get as few minutes as be did? He seems to be a great athlete and has a tremendous shot. Is it just his defense? Is it his unwillingness to work hard enough on defense, inability to understand the defensive schemes? Anyone have a good answer?

[Dan]

At the beginning of the year he played almost no defense and wasn't physcial enough to compete. As the year went on, his defense started to improve but he still was not very strong with the ball (gets it swatted out of his hands, gets it stripped when he drives the lane, gets stuffed going up for dunks, etc.). Bottom line, he needs to lift weights and practice boxing out and being more physical. No denying that he can shoot the rock, but you have to have more than one dimension to see the court for extended minutes.

[wufan]

Also, even late in the year, Nick was the LAST player to get down on the ground for a loose ball. It's not that he was weak, but his reaction was slow. He wasn't used to that style. Nick will have the opportunity to play tons of minutes again this year, but he'll have to earn it. He's going to be 4th on the depth chart at the 2/3 behind Baker, Cotton and Wessel on day one.

[pogo]

Also, even late in the year, Nick was the LAST player to get down on the ground for a loose ball. It's not that he was weak, but his reaction was slow. He wasn't used to that style. Nick will have the opportunity to play tons of minutes again this year, but he'll have to earn it. He's going to be 4th on the depth chart at the 2/3 behind Baker, Cotton and Wessel on day one.

When we played intramural basketball at WSU we had a guy on our team that was a forward but he felt it was his job to race down court as soon as a ball was loose and expected the others to come up with the ball and throw it to him for the easy bucket. Not saying Nick used to be that way but our guy was just thought it wasn't his job to dive for loose balls.

[shocksrbest]

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.

Very valid point.
Another critical area Marshall has instilled in his players is, not simply the will to win but the expectation to--the tournament really brought this out. They were not intimidated at all about who they played nor "just happy to be here". I think this is a very key component in a team's success--the Shocks have that now. These--as well as the talent and coaching level--are what makes me excited for next season and giddy about how far this team has come and will go.

The season can't get here fast enough.