WSU vs ILLINOIS STATE Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[jocoshock]

Opinionated sheep--55
Wolves not losing sleep--72

+1

[shoxlax]

Fever nailed it like a split hog

[tropicalshox]

I also laugh at the fact about how everyone calls us a "rivalry game".. Get over yourselves!! We have no rival anymore. In fact, WSU/CU was the ONLY rivalry worth a damn in the MVC.

That's true. We don't have a rivalry. We need one.

[WuShock Reaper]

That's true. We don't have a rivalry. We need one.

We have a rivalry. It happens every day in practice with the starting WSU 5 versus the next five.

[Kung Wu]

That's true. We don't have a rivalry. We need one.

I'm hoping it's Ohio State, Louisville, or Pittsburgh that we end up playing annually -- whether they like it or not.

[Shock Top]

That's true. We don't have a rivalry. We need one.

We'll auction it off to the highest bidder! (Unless CU wants to keep it going)

[SB Shock]

I am concerned about an undisciplined team like ISU and a wild card kind of coach in Muller and what they might try to do to get a win. I am anticipating any and all tactics being brought to bear in Normal especially. Combine that will a little moxie they're likely to have after a 4-2 start (and frankly should be 5-1) and this fan is going to be nervous until the final buzzer, regardless of the score.

No doubt. "Thuggish" is what the ISU program is about.

[Speed]

Do they have anyone as tall as Carmichael that can kick someone 6'6" to 6'9" in the face?

[I_Vector_Wu]

Yes this game will be interesting to watch. I really want to see 20-0, nice round number.

Shockers 78
Ghost of Creighton-Future 66

[ShockTalk]

Not sure how anyone east of St "Lewis" can come up with being a rival of WSU. You need 2 important keys.

1) Location - Same state or next state over. If the games have been played long enough, it can be lopsided in favor of one team, but we're talking several decades long if not in the same state.

2) Recent, on going success by both teams challenging for supremacy in a conference.

In both the cases, WSU and CU were rivals. Closeness of location to each other and success. Over the previous 11 years, WSU and CU both had/shared 2 titles, 5 second place finishes, and 1 third. That's finishing 1, 2, or 3 eight times out of eleven. Six is the next best by SIU and UNI and SIU has done nothing the last five years and neither have location. MSU has the best location, but only a top 3 finish 5 of 11 years. And just for those ISUr fans who think there's a rivalry, you have 1 second and 3 thirds. That's one 2nd place finish in 11 years compared to seven 1st and 2nd for WSU. No location, no success, no rivalry.

[Steeleshocker]

Not sure how anyone east of St "Lewis" can come up with being a rival of WSU. You need 2 important keys.

1) Location - Same state or next state over. If the games have been played long enough, it can be lopsided in favor of one team, but we're talking several decades long if not in the same state.

2) Recent, on going success by both teams challenging for supremacy in a conference.

In both the cases, WSU and CU were rivals. Closeness of location to each other and success. Over the previous 11 years, WSU and CU both had/shared 2 titles, 5 second place finishes, and 1 third. That's finishing 1, 2, or 3 eight times out of eleven. Six is the next best by SIU and UNI and SIU has done nothing the last five years and neither have location. MSU has the best location, but only a top 3 finish 5 of 11 years. And just for those ISUr fans who think there's a rivalry, you have 1 second and 3 thirds. That's one 2nd place finish in 11 years compared to seven 1st and 2nd for WSU. No location, no success, no rivalry.

Sharpie

[Shock Top]

Not sure how anyone east of St "Lewis" can come up with being a rival of WSU. You need 2 important keys.

1) Location - Same state or next state over. If the games have been played long enough, it can be lopsided in favor of one team, but we're talking several decades long if not in the same state.

2) Recent, on going success by both teams challenging for supremacy in a conference.

In both the cases, WSU and CU were rivals. Closeness of location to each other and success. Over the previous 11 years, WSU and CU both had/shared 2 titles, 5 second place finishes, and 1 third. That's finishing 1, 2, or 3 eight times out of eleven. Six is the next best by SIU and UNI and SIU has done nothing the last five years and neither have location. MSU has the best location, but only a top 3 finish 5 of 11 years. And just for those ISUr fans who think there's a rivalry, you have 1 second and 3 thirds. That's one 2nd place finish in 11 years compared to seven 1st and 2nd for WSU. No location, no success, no rivalry.

Aman

[Speed]

Evidently WSU will be amongst the highest ranked teams to play IL St. They're trying to make a game of it.
I like WSU's chances.

[ShockerPhi]

Anyone else find this thread funny? It's hilarious how a team like Ill State can make us actually give Creighton their credit as a good team and a great rivalry. Any other time, we go straight to bashing Creighton. I just find it awesome.

In regards to them packing the house, making signs, coming up with chants... of course they are! We're the #5 team in the country baby!!

#5 Shockers - 67
#115 Jailbirds - 55

[ShockerHoops]

What are your thoughts on how the Sycamores played off Cotton on Saturday, daring him to shoot? After he missed his first 3 shots from deep, Cotton didn't take anymore for the rest of the game. Did anyone else notice this?

A little concerning to me that the Shocks now have 3 wing players with a shooting confidence problem currently:

Tekele Cotton
Evan Wessel
Nick Wiggins

I think they will be OK because there's still plenty of time for them to work it out. I'll be watching this game closely to see if these three can overcome, show some confidence, and knocking down outside jumpers. It was great to see Derail Green do it last Tuesday.

Thoughts?