tennessee state game thread

[ShockTalk]

man, based on some of the crazy responses on here you would think we were getting outrebounded every game. Last I checked we won the boards by 8-9. And I think the average margin last year was 7.5. On another note we are killing it in the turnover department, and we didn't always do that last year.

As far as the rebounding, maybe the 9 rebound edge is a matter of perspective and that we are known as having very good rebounding teams. New Mexico St had an edge of 18 rebounds and Hawaii 19 over TN St.

[DwShock]

Four games in eight days one of those at midnight. Come on shocker nation. The season is just getting started they have 4 wins. You can't ask for better. Sure there are issues but have faith that the coaching staff will get it straightend out. The sky isn't falling.

[Steeleshocker]

The teams we have played are garbage. Remember, everything is framed with "crazy" expectations this season. So, if we look slightly deficient against garbage competition is certain areas, fans such as myself, will extrapolate that to mean we will be majorly deficient in that area against good competition. So while I may be overreacting, rest assured that Gregg is pissed about our rebounding and will be working to correct it.

My frustration is that everyone thinks we need to look like a final four team right now. We need to look like a final four team in March. Right now I expect us to struggle, to work on our chemistry, show flashes of brilliance, and some dumb mistakes.

I expect we will get everyone's best shot, play down to our competition a little too often, but also get hyped up for the tough big time games and play really well.

The rebounding will be fine. If there is one thing 3G can teach, it is rebounding. The only thing I am concerned about, it is keeping Fred healthy. That and improving over the course of the season so we are banging on all cylinders in March.

[RussDaBus]

My frustration is that everyone thinks we need to look like a final four team right now. We need to look like a final four team in March. Right now I expect us to struggle, to work on our chemistry, show flashes of brilliance, and some dumb mistakes.

I expect we will get everyone's best shot, play down to our competition a little too often, but also get hyped up for the tough big time games and play really well.

The rebounding will be fine. If there is one thing 3G can teach, it is rebounding. The only thing I am concerned about, it is keeping Fred healthy. That and improving over the course of the season so we are banging on all cylinders in March.

Amen! 100% agree!

[TheDover1018]

Agreed as well. We want the team to play their best in March/April, not November. I have every confidence that the team will improve as the season continues.

[ShockerPrez]

Im not too worried. If I recall, we struggled against some non cons last year as well. I think we had to come back from larger deficits also.

I would love to come out and drill these teams by 50, but we are hammering them pretty good in the 2nd half. I trust the fellas will be just fine.

[ShockerFever]

My frustration is that everyone thinks we need to look like a final four team right now. We need to look like a final four team in March. Right now I expect us to struggle, to work on our chemistry, show flashes of brilliance, and some dumb mistakes.

I expect we will get everyone's best shot, play down to our competition a little too often, but also get hyped up for the tough big time games and play really well.

The rebounding will be fine. If there is one thing 3G can teach, it is rebounding. The only thing I am concerned about, it is keeping Fred healthy. That and improving over the course of the season so we are banging on all cylinders in March.

I agree with most of what you say, but a disastrous November could mean you aren't even playing in March because you didn't make the cut. Our margin of error is a little wider this year thanks to our historical success, but it shrinks rapidly if you start dropping L's to Tulsa or DePaul and fudge your way out of the Top 25.

[pinstripers]

I agree with most of what you say, but a disastrous November could mean you aren't even playing in March because you didn't make the cut. Our margin of error is a little wider this year thanks to our historical success, but it shrinks rapidly if you start dropping L's to Tulsa or DePaul and fudge your way out of the Top 25.

Yep, absolutely right.

[jocoshock]

A lot of stress being felt is a combination of team play and the new rules. Adjusting to new bigs and the prospect of kamikaze basketball being played by teams we perceive to be not as good makes for increased anxiety over the next 5 to 6 games....

[ShockTalk]

I agree with most of what you say, but a disastrous November could mean you aren't even playing in March because you didn't make the cut. Our margin of error is a little wider this year thanks to our historical success, but it shrinks rapidly if you start dropping L's to Tulsa or DePaul and fudge your way out of the Top 25.

I, too, agree with this. I know it's very early to look at computer rankings, however, I found rpiforecast.com's "forecasted" ranking not only interesting, but surprising.

They forecast WSU to go 8-3 in OOC (does not include Emporia St or 2nd CBE game) and 14-4 in the conference regular season for a 22-7 record. Now before anyone goes ballistic (here comes the surprising part), based on that forecast, that would put us around 21st in the overall ranking.

[RomeoCrennel's Belly]

Takes time for new squads to gel together. Take a look around college basketball. Good programs lose to random nobodies every night. We're not so we're working through issues and becoming a team while NOT losing.

[WuDrWu]

It's a good time for this team to go on the road. They need to get away from the glamor and reminders of last season and get back to doing what they do. Play angry, grind and defend. Plenty of good things in place and still plenty to work on.

Get on the road, rely on each other and move forward. Or don't and get beat. Either way, I believe it will be a net positive experience. Obviously, winning and learning is the superior and preferred outcome.

Let's go.

[Aargh]

How do you play angry against the competition we've faced so far? It seems like "Play Unhappy" is about as far as you can go.

[jdshock]

How do you play angry against the competition we've faced so far? It seems like "Play Unhappy" is about as far as you can go.

It actually appears the answer to that is simple: let them have a lead at half.

[Slalomshocker]

When the effort needed to compete at the DI level comes from the bigs, I will "calm down". Until then, this team is all back court and no front court. Carter played well in the 2nd half, Coleby stepped up a little bit, but I can't get over his "This is hard" comment to Marshall in the W&M game. That comment right there told me all I need to know about our bigs right now. SOFT. Hopefully the 4 days off will result in more focus by the entire team. I'm not sure what Fred was doing Saturday...he is entirely too BB savy to make some of those plays. When will Cle step up and carry this team? He is playing decent, but he has the ability to put this team on his back in games like this when they aren't playing their best. There will be growing pains, but the attitude should have been there from the start. I expect this team to get better with each passing game, but the bigs are certainly reason for concern right now.