Wichita State media love thread

[jocoshock]

More respect than love. But i am sure someone will find some hate in here somewhere...

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=collegebasketballnation&i=TWT&id=91327&w=1dk59&src=desktop&wjb

"And, finally, a program that should have been a household name just a couple years ago -- a program that lost a swath of seniors from one of its best teams ever, replaced them with a group good enough to get to a Final Four the next season, with a coach that still had to explain to reporters the obvious reasons why he wanted to stay in his current job -- will earn that status once and for all. If there is anything worth predicting here, that is probably it.

Wichita State has been a model of success under Marshall -- quietly so. Marshall had to explain his good life for a reason, after all.

Now things are about to get loud."

[WuDrWu]

I hate to be all man crush on reporters, but that's a fantastic article by Eamonn Brennan.

It also reminds us of the young men that paved the way for this success, without whom this never happens.

It is a GREAT day.

[Shox21]

Thanks for posting this. Shockers85 is right about this being a great article and has helped in cleansing my palate a little after what they had on Sportscenter.

If you mean reporting our game under the title "Unknown Undefeateds" then yeah, I agree with you.

[Bluzrover]

Here's another great article this morning from Big 10 reporter Paul Kilgas who writes on Rant Sports: "Look for Wichita State to enter conference play undefeated at 13-0, and expect them to be chasing perfection for a majority of the season. Even if they stumble somewhere in conference play, it’s not a reach to believe that the Shockers could end the NCAA Tournament as the most perfect team in the entire nation, with a championship to prove that they deserve respect."
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-baske...5MllKb2S6fq.99

[jocoshock]

Here's another great article this morning from Big 10 reporter Paul Kilgas who writes on Rant Sports: "Look for Wichita State to enter conference play undefeated at 13-0, and expect them to be chasing perfection for a majority of the season. Even if they stumble somewhere in conference play, it’s not a reach to believe that the Shockers could end the NCAA Tournament as the most perfect team in the entire nation, with a championship to prove that they deserve respect."
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-baske...5MllKb2S6fq.99

Well written, well researched.

[im4wsu]

From the same ESPN article http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/b...rc=desktop&wjb

They’ll be favored for the rest of the season until the NCAA tournament, usually heavily.

The Realtime game-by-game predictions for the remainder of the season have the Shockers favored in all road games in the MVC (once by 7, three times by 4 and 5 times by 5); at home, the range is 20 to 23 point victories.

[TheDover1018]

I'm loving this thread right now!

[_kai_]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24379563/triple-threat-can-shockers-go-unbeaten

[jdmee]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24379563/triple-threat-can-shockers-go-unbeaten

Three quick hits

1. Wichita State will likely enter conference play with an undefeated record. Can the Shockers go undefeated?

It's an interesting question and it will provide college basketball with yet another intriguing storyline for however long the Shockers remain perfect. The Missouri Valley is a tough conference to deal with on the road and Wichita State's game at Indiana State on February 5th seems like the most likely place where a perfect season could be in jeopardy. Here's the bigger picture thought, though, for Gregg Marshall's team. Barring a major collapse, the Shockers are likely to have a terrific record heading into the NCAA Tournament just like Gonzaga did last year. Could a team outside the power six conferences be a number one seed in the field of 68 in back-to-back seasons? It's definitely something to keep in the back of your head.

Three names you may not know now but will by February 1st

3. Darius Carter, Wichita State

Another year, another quality junior college transfer for Gregg Marshall. Carter has scored 32 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in Wichita State's last three games and looks like he'll be a major piece to the Shockers' frontcourt moving forward. At 6-7, Carter has the versatility to play both power forward and center.

[Bluzrover]

The thing I'm starting to notice about the commentators and play-by-play guys on the nationally-broadcast games is their knowledge of the team and Marshall's impact on the program. Some of it is repeated from the FF run but there is much better understanding of who the players are and what they are capable of doing. Watching last night I was just thrilled to hear (but more importantly see actually happen) that the reason this team is undefeated this season is their ability to stay calm and respond with a key basket, steal, rebound or drive whenever the opposing team appears to be taking back momentum. It was apparent Saturday and even more apparent last night.

[shocker82]

Can someone who is an ESPN INsider summarize Jay Bilas' blog from yesterday where he ranks the national title contenders? I have no doubt that we are not included on that list but am interested in knowing who he thinks has a better shot than the Shockers.

[ABC]

Can someone who is an ESPN INsider summarize Jay Bilas' blog from yesterday where he ranks the national title contenders? I have no doubt that we are not included on that list but am interested in knowing who he thinks has a better shot than the Shockers.

1. Arizona
2. Louisville
3. Syracuse
4. Michigan State
5. Florida
6. Duke
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma State



WSU was among the "others" receiving votes:
Ohio State
Kansas
Kentucky
Gonzaga
Oregon
WSU
Iowa

[jocoshock]

1. Arizona
2. Louisville
3. Syracuse
4. Michigan State
5. Florida
6. Duke
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma State



WSU was among the "others" receiving votes:
Ohio State
Kansas
Kentucky
Gonzaga
Oregon
WSU
Iowa

In the conversation. On the radar. Within striking distance...

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Can someone who is an ESPN INsider summarize Jay Bilas' blog from yesterday where he ranks the national title contenders? I have no doubt that we are not included on that list but am interested in knowing who he thinks has a better shot than the Shockers.

His eight contenders (in order) are:
1. Arizona
2. Louisville
3. Syracuse
4. Michigan State
5. Florida
6. Duke
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma State

In the others receiving votes category, he has (in order):
1. Ohio State
2. KU
3. Kentucky
4. Gonzaga
5. Oregon
6. WSU ("They aren't the same Final Four threat without Malcolm Armstead, but they are the best ***-***** I have seen this season.") Ugh.
7. Iowa

[Shox21]

"Gregg Marshall, Wichita State Shockers

Last season’s Final Four semifinalist Wichita State was no flash in the pan. The reason is Marshall. He’s a great talent evaluator and understands the business of the sport. He is a disciple of two of the best coaches in college basketball who most don't know in former Charleston coach John Kresse and Randolph Macon legend Hal Nunnally. Marshall is an elite coach who gets his players to play winning basketball. They call it "playing angry."

The Shockers defend, execute, rebound and take care of the basketball. Marshall has a point guard, in Fred VanFleet, who has developed into an elite playmaker as a sophomore. Alongside him is Ron Baker, a versatile shooting guard who does more than makes shots, as he’s a complete basketball player who can play with and without the ball. Baker has built on his strong play from last season’s NCAA tournament. Up front, preseason Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Cleanthony Early is a tough matchup. But what makes it all work is Marshall’s ability to put the pieces together. He has a roster of players who embrace their roles and play for the good of the team." ESPN, Seth Greenberg, "Coaches Getting The Most Out Of Their Rosters"