***OFFICIAL*** WSU - WKU Game Thread

[wusphlash]

I'd like to see Darius become the Aaron Ellis of this team. He has the length and speed to do much of what Aaron did on the defensive end. Long, tall stopper.

My problem with his baby hooks is that they are coming too early in the offense and it's the only offensive move he is making. He's playing like a juco big man who are often starved by the guards. When they do get a feed it's an automatic shot. Throw the ball back out every now and then. Fred, Ron and Tekele will give it back.

[shockerfan]

I'm a little concerned about our front court. I only needed to see one more half-hook, half-foot short, line-drive hook shot for me to fly off the deep end. Either those shots need to be worked on or our guys need to kick it back out. Very ugly.

I thought Baker was too passive. We need him and FVV big time for our scoring.

It's early. We have some things to work on. We can be very good. I dunno if I can justify us as being the 16th-best team in the country right now.

I agree with most, but I have to see more to say whether we are the 16th best team or not. It's the first week of basketball and 50% of the teams in the poll don't belong there...etc. I personally think all will be ok.

Also Baker doesn't usually hunt for his shot and isn't great at creating for himself. I feel the offense needs to work harder to get him open with screens....etc

[shocksrbest]

Give Carter some time to get the feel of the D1 game and the Marshall Plan. Give Coleby some time to knowck off the rust from a one-year layoff and I think the Shox will be decent.

Agree...both are going to be really good. Coleby will not let his senior year go by quietly. and Carter will be a stud by Valley play. We have such an arsenal.

[shockmonster]

Last year, Carl Hall was double teamed most of the year which opened up passes to the open man (wings and guards). Last night, our guards were guarded well and our big men were guarded one on one, often guarding our bigs from behind. It was an easy entry pass into the post and no double team ever materialized. Our bigs need to learn how to make moves and put the ball into the hole so that the opponent has to respect them, double down, opening up our guards. Marshall said that Carter has great offensive potential and that we will love him offensively soon. We need to give the coaching staff time to work with him and develop his effective offensive game from the juco level to the DI level.

[DPruett2333]

Clam down, people. We've only played three freaking games.

Armstead had plenty of three game stretches last year where he didn't score more than 4-8 points and we all know how great of a season he had.

If we were losing games by 15 points, I would be worried. We're not. We're winning games. The guys will get better. We will be fine.

[pie n eye]

Clam down, people. We've only played three freaking games.

Armstead had plenty of three game stretches last year where he didn't score more than 4-8 points and we all know how great of a season he had.

If we were losing games by 15 points, I would be worried. We're not. We're winning games. The guys will get better. We will be fine.

Thank you.

[Kung Wu]

If we were losing games by 15 points, I would be worried.

If we were losing games by 15 points at this point, I would be in a straight jacket.

I don't think we have lost a game by 15 points since UNI beat us by 15 in 2009-10 season.

[Kung Wu]

Was their point guard, #2, really 5' 9"? I swear he gave up 3 inches to FVV. I'm thinking no more than 5'8" and that's being generous. But for those of you that saw him from the floor, what ya think? 5'9"?

[pogo]

With my calibrated eye (developed from having to judge closure rates of very fast aircraft) 5'6''.

[Aargh]

Also Baker doesn't usually hunt for his shot and isn't great at creating for himself. I feel the offense needs to work harder to get him open with screens....etc

What's this about Baker not being able to create his own shot? I've heard it more than a few times, but when I watch games, I don't see it.

I've seen him drive for a mid-range pull-up jumper. I've seen him juke to create space for an open step-back 3. He doesn't go to the hoop unless there's a clear path, but do you really want a great 3-point shooter driving the ball? Just because he doesn't hunt his own shot and takes intelligent shots when he gets them, doesn't mean he can't create his own shot.