Why our region is death (and why we might survive)

[KC Shox]

My .02, Kentucky is the worse match up of the bunch. They are tall, long and athletic which will pose problems with our small back court. After Kentucky, I'm confident how the Shox match up with L'Ville, Duke or Michigan.

L'Ville and Duke are similar in size, Michigan is a tad larger but not enough to vastly alter the way we play.

L'Ville (20th), Duke (18th) and Michigan (40th) all rank in the top 40 in the nation for three-point FG attempts.

Three-point shots represents 40 percent of the shots taken per game for Michigan and Duke. 36% of L'Ville shots are three-pointers.

Duke and Michigan thrive off the three, that could be good or bad depending how well they are shooting that night. Both lack a true inside presence, especially for Michigan once Mitch McGary went down. Duke's Jabari Parker can play down low or on the perimeter so he's dangerous for a 6'8" guy. As long as the Shox make Duke or Michigan shoot contested three's all night long, I feel good.

L'Ville is the most balanced of the three, but in my opinion, they live and die by Russ Smith. Oh, and don't fall for Hancock's pump fakes.

If we get by Kentucky, then my hopes for a deep run increase exponentially.

[Slam21]

I'm pumped! Finished my brackets. Everyone here says if we can get by WSU then UK will match up better with rest of the region. Should we not, then I've got every belief that it is WSU that will rep the Midwest and I'm a Shocker fan in the biggest way. You guys have a lot more respect from our fans than you truly know.

For the guy that says that UL lives and die with Russ Smith, that's not exactly true. Some of UL's best come from behind games is with Russ on the bench. Against Cincy this year, Russ hit the game winner but he was on the bench during entire come back run. He does shoot it 30 times a game it seems and he will go to the basket 1 on 4, but if he's on, then UL rolls. But if he's off, Pitino won't hesitate bench him and you'll see others like Hancock fill the scoring void (please don't leave your feet against him, he will jump into you and shoot free throws and does this at least 2 or 3 times a game!).

[BenWSU]

Interested to know how our bracket compares to Indiana's in 1976.

[ShockerFever]

My .02, Kentucky is the worse match up of the bunch. They are tall, long and athletic which will pose problems with our small back court. After Kentucky, I'm confident how the Shox match up with L'Ville, Duke or Michigan.

L'Ville and Duke are similar in size, Michigan is a tad larger but not enough to vastly alter the way we play.

L'Ville (20th), Duke (18th) and Michigan (40th) all rank in the top 40 in the nation for three-point FG attempts.

Three-point shots represents 40 percent of the shots taken per game for Michigan and Duke. 36% of L'Ville shots are three-pointers.

Duke and Michigan thrive off the three, that could be good or bad depending how well they are shooting that night. Both lack a true inside presence, especially for Michigan once Mitch McGary went down. Duke's Jabari Parker can play down low or on the perimeter so he's dangerous for a 6'8" guy. As long as the Shox make Duke or Michigan shoot contested three's all night long, I feel good.

L'Ville is the most balanced of the three, but in my opinion, they live and die by Russ Smith. Oh, and don't fall for Hancock's pump fakes.

If we get by Kentucky, then my hopes for a deep run increase exponentially.

When does your sabbatical start again?

[Veritas]

I don't think UK will get by ksu.

[Shock Top]

I don't think UK will get by ksu.

That would be great, and I would be happy for KSU. For WSU's sake, it would be better to beat Kentucky.

Hell, KSU might be the better team in all honesty, but the nation will notice more if WSU beats Kentucky.

It's part of the dream path: Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, Creighton, KU!!! I hope Gary Parrish is a psychic!!!

[Slam21]

That would be great, and I would be happy for KSU. For WSU's sake, it would be better to beat Kentucky.

Hell, KSU might be the better team in all honesty, but the nation will notice more if WSU beats Kentucky.

It's part of the dream path: Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, Creighton, KU!!! I hope Gary Parrish is a psychic!!!

UK will get by KSU. It will be WSU vs UK. It's coming.

[pie n eye]

UK will get by KSU. It will be WSU vs UK. It's coming.

Will Big Blue Nation wear their 40-0 t-shirts to that matchup?

[Anthroshock]

Will Big Blue Nation wear their 40-0 t-shirts to that matchup?

You should ask UK fans to bring the shirts so we can use them.

[Slam21]

You should ask UK fans to bring the shirts so we can use them.

It's all good.

[another shocker]

slam21 and cuttyhunk: could you provide links to your respective message boards?

[shoxilla]

Love the sports wonks who should know better than to go against SHOX. They just see the names on the other team's jersey and cannot choose otherwise. Over and over and over only to say after the game "We knew they were good".
Enjoy your FAIL wonks, may your brackets burn in hell.

[kochHead]

may your brackets burn in hell.

This is how I picture you saying this line.

[ABC]

Kentucky has incredible size and talent, but clearly, something is amiss.

They had THREE wins over tournament teams, all at home. Granted, some of that is b/c the SEC was so weak. Dec 1 79-65 vs Providence, Dec 28 73-66 vs Louisville and Jan 18 74-66 vs Tennessee.

They have ten losses: vs Michigan State, Baylor, North Carolina, Arkansas 2x, @ LSU, @ South Carolina and Florida 3x. So that's four losses against teams that did not make the tournament.

[shock]

WSU is used to fighting in the shade.