OFFICIAL: Selection Sunday Thread

[Shock Top]

I'm just glad the tournament doesn't last one more week -- the selection committee would probably have had the Spurs and Heat waiting as WSU's next two potential opponents if they successfully negotiate the gauntlet they've been handed.

So, Tekele would be on LBJ and Baker would take on D-Wade. We all know Early would shutdown Bosh and that Mario is no match for Fred. Odom will injure himself and WSU's three bigs could slow down Birdman and Haslem.

Doesn't seem all that difficult to me! :)

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

The Mid-West bracket is unquestionably stacked against WSU in terms of difficulty early. Everyone has a tough road once they get to the Elite 8, but the Shox received a tough draw with Kentucky in the round of 32 and Louisville in the Sweet 16. I’m not thrilled about this as I think it increases the chances that WSU falls sooner, but on the other hand, there is one really nice perk that many of you have mentioned already. WSU will probably play exclusively against big name teams. Kentucky, Louisville, Duke/Michigan. That is 3 straight games of big name, “blue blood”, attention grabbing opponents. Upsets are always possible, but these “big boys” look very likely to be the teams standing in between WSU and a return to the Final Four. Not to say the following teams aren’t good teams, but Virginia, Creighton, Iowa State, San Diego State, etc. just don’t have the same clout and name recognition, and I’m glad those teams are all in other regions. Also, thank God it looks unlikely that WSU will have to play any mid-majors. George Mason, VCU, La Salle… I’m tired of meeting those types of teams in the dance.

[WstateU]

The Mid-West bracket is unquestionably stacked against WSU in terms of difficulty early. Everyone has a tough road once they get to the Elite 8, but the Shox received a tough draw with Kentucky in the round of 32 and Louisville in the Sweet 16. I’m not thrilled about this as I think it increases the chances that WSU falls sooner, but on the other hand, there is one really nice perk that many of you have mentioned already. WSU will probably play exclusively against big name teams. Kentucky, Louisville, Duke/Michigan. That is 3 straight games of big name, “blue blood”, attention grabbing opponents. Upsets are always possible, but these “big boys” look very likely to be the teams standing in between WSU and a return to the Final Four. Not to say the following teams aren’t good teams, but Virginia, Creighton, Iowa State, San Diego State, etc. just don’t have the same clout and name recognition, and I’m glad those teams are all in other regions. Also, thank God it looks unlikely that WSU will have to play any mid-majors. George Mason, VCU, La Salle… I’m tired of meeting those types of teams in the dance.

Me too... it's time to put on our "Big Boy Pants" (oops, those could be panties)

[1972Shocker]

What better way to get our guys determined and focused than to put the ultimate challenge in front of them. The more I think about it the more I like it.

Let's reach for he stars Shocks. Reach for the unreachable star.

[CBB_Fan]

One other factor we should consider is the long-term impact from playing these teams. If we win out, we'll not only earn everyone's respect, but potentially gain some scheduling help. If we prove ourselves against teams like Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and/or Michigan, those teams will be more apt to play us in the regular season. If we can convince two of those four to play us any given season, we'll go a LONG way to dismissing these strength of schedule arguments forever. And if we get those teams to agree to play us, other teams will start playing us as well. This bracket is a huge challenge for us, but also a huge opportunity.

[WSUwatcher]

So, Tekele would be on LBJ and Baker would take on D-Wade. We all know Early would shutdown Bosh and that Mario is no match for Fred. Odom will injure himself and WSU's three bigs could slow down Birdman and Haslem.

Doesn't seem all that difficult to me! :)

Yes, but how do they match up with the Spurs? One more made FT by Ginobili (an 85% shooter) with <30 seconds to go in Game 6 last year, and the Spurs win the series 4-2 and they're the defending champs instead of LeBron and the Hype. Can the Shocks handle them, too?

Nice call on Odom taking himself out, by the way.

[RoyalShock]

The Mid-West bracket is unquestionably stacked against WSU in terms of difficulty early. Everyone has a tough road once they get to the Elite 8, but the Shox received a tough draw with Kentucky in the round of 32 and Louisville in the Sweet 16. I’m not thrilled about this as I think it increases the chances that WSU falls sooner, but on the other hand, there is one really nice perk that many of you have mentioned already. WSU will probably play exclusively against big name teams. Kentucky, Louisville, Duke/Michigan. That is 3 straight games of big name, “blue blood”, attention grabbing opponents. Upsets are always possible, but these “big boys” look very likely to be the teams standing in between WSU and a return to the Final Four. Not to say the following teams aren’t good teams, but Virginia, Creighton, Iowa State, San Diego State, etc. just don’t have the same clout and name recognition, and I’m glad those teams are all in other regions. Also, thank God it looks unlikely that WSU will have to play any mid-majors. George Mason, VCU, La Salle… I’m tired of meeting those types of teams in the dance.

Yep. What makes our region so difficult, too, is that the lower end is relatively weak. There aren't many likely upsets to take the top teams out.

[1979Shocker]

One other factor we should consider is the long-term impact from playing these teams. If we win out, we'll not only earn everyone's respect, but potentially gain some scheduling help. If we prove ourselves against teams like Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and/or Michigan, those teams will be more apt to play us in the regular season. If we can convince two of those four to play us any given season, we'll go a LONG way to dismissing these strength of schedule arguments forever. And if we get those teams to agree to play us, other teams will start playing us as well. This bracket is a huge challenge for us, but also a huge opportunity.

I think it would also improve our recruiting.

[ABC]

All of these games will also increase our Strength of Schedule.

[Kung Wu]

I was pretty impressed with Iowa State's defense in the Big 12 conference tourney. Wouldn't surprise me if they go further than they have in forever. Could see them getting past a UConn/Villanova/whoever. Possibly even Michigan State/Virginia. Kind of a long shot bet on the East region, I suppose.

[wufan]

I was pretty impressed with Iowa State's defense in the Big 12 conference tourney. Wouldn't surprise me if they go further than they have in forever. Could see them getting past a UConn/Villanova/whoever. Possibly even Michigan State/Virginia. Kind of a long shot bet on the East region, I suppose.

NCCU will give Iowa State problems...watch out!

[Kung Wu]

NCCU will give Iowa State problems...watch out!

Well, yeah, they could always go one and done too.

[60Shock]

The team that really got screwed was not us, it was Kentucky.

They have to play us!

[pie n eye]

I was pretty impressed with Iowa State's defense in the Big 12 conference tourney. Wouldn't surprise me if they go further than they have in forever. Could see them getting past a UConn/Villanova/whoever. Possibly even Michigan State/Virginia. Kind of a long shot bet on the East region, I suppose.

The same Iowa state team that gave up 80+ to KState?

[Slam21]

The team that really got screwed was not us, it was Kentucky.

They have to play us!

When you play the 3rd rated schedule in the country and are rated by the power rankings as a 3 seed and end up an 8 seed with a 3rd round game against a returning final four team that's undefeated, yeah that blows. But on the flip side UK is growing up fast and those 18 year old nearly bumped the #1 team in the country with 4 starting seniors to win the conference tourney.