OFFICIAL WSU VERSUS THE WILDCATS PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSION

[1972Shocker]

Moved.

[CBB_Fan]

Here's what I'm seeing. A lot of teams played these last couple of days, many of them having played "nobody." The media didn't like those teams. They liked teams like Oklahoma State, the disrespected power conference teams that should be able to knock off the teams from the weak conferences. But here's what actually happened:

THE University of Dayton 60 - an Ohio State University 59
Saint Louis 85 - NCState 80 (OT)
Harvard 61 - Cincinnati 57
North Dakota State 80 - Oklahoma 75
Mercer 78 - Duke 71
Gonzaga 85 - OSU 77

And let's not forget the teams that pushed almost every other top seeded team for large portions of the game, like Albany, EKU, Coastal Carolina, NC Central, Weber State, ULL, Tulsa.

This tournament has been as a proof as possible that SOS doesn't win games, teams do. And almost all of the above were examples where the higher seeded team was upset. Flip that around and look at how many lower seeded power conference teams have won games with their impressive strength of schedules. The only upsets you'll find are Stanford over New Mexico and the worst seeded game in the tournament with Tennessee (ranked 7th in KenPom) versus UMass (ranked 56th).

In 32 first round games, only two featured a power conference exceeding expectations versus a mid-major, while almost half featured a mid-major team pulling off the upset or pushing a much higher seeded team to the brink. I expect this trend to continue. UK will have a lot of media love for their tough schedule (meaning tougher conference) and "talent," but we are the better team. And if they think we've never faced athletes before, they forget who we practice against. There's no one on UK more athletic than Cotton or Early, and most of our players still remember getting their shots knocked into the rafter by Orupke. And let's not forget that their perimeter players aren't any taller than Wessel or Wiggins (or Early at SF). But our best match-up is Marshall, and he'll have our guys prepared.

[Jhook89]

I'd venture to guess that Harrison will be out. His injury looked very similar to Justin Houston's (for you Chief fans) and he was out over a month. Yes football puts more strain on your elbow, but I still have a hard time seeing Harrison playing in this one.

[jdshock]

THE University of Dayton 60 - an Ohio State University 59

Thanks for this. The funniest thing I've read in a while.

[forevershockerfan]

Look for Cotton to have a big game versus Kentucky. He is always there when we need him the most on both sides of the court. Kentucky had 8 total assists in their win versus K-State but out rebounded them by 12. They shot 21 throws versus K-State's 12. Kentucky had 5 players that played 28 minutes or more. I like our quality depth much better than theirs. We need Cle to stay out of foul trouble and we must keep Kentucky off the offensive boards. Kentucky blocked 7 shots last night and the Shocks blocked 6 lead by Coleby's 4. Let's hope we get to the line more than Kentucky and make our fair share of them because they are free and can make the difference in close games.

[ShockTop]

I'd venture to guess that Harrison will be out. His injury looked very similar to Justin Houston's (for you Chief fans) and he was out over a month. Yes football puts more strain on your elbow, but I still have a hard time seeing Harrison playing in this one.

Which Harrison twin?

[WuDrWu]

Our program understands what is has taken the last year and what it will take Sunday to come out on top.

The way our kids play and conduct themselves, on and off the court, is what's right in athletic competition. I'm not naive enough to think this is a lock or that UK has no chance....they are an incredibly talented and skilled group of athletes. They absolutely can win. But make no mistake, WSU's A game beats UK and I don't believe that their kids have any idea what is awaiting them Sunday afternoon. A UK fan comes on HERE and calls out our fans and players for being delusional?

I suspect several times on Sunday a UK player will make an eye-popping, athletic and #SCTop10 type play that will have the nation ohhing and awwing......it should provide them with a warm memory to the end of their preNBA careers.

[Shocktoberfest]

FWIW. I find it very interesting this am on the yahoo sportacular app that fans from around the country are hugely favoring the Shox. Very surprising. I figured we would be a 3 to 5 point favorite in Vegas. But straight up picks across the country of over 2000 people so far are picking the Shox 96% of the time. Pretty cool to be getting that kind of national respect from the fans. As a comparison 74% are picking Florida and 74% picking Virginia.

[ShockTop]

FWIW. I find it very interesting this am on the yahoo sportacular app that fans from around the country are hugely favoring the Shox. Very surprising. I figured we would be a 3 to 5 point favorite in Vegas. But straight up picks across the country of over 2000 people so far are picking the Shox 96% of the time. Pretty cool to be getting that kind of national respect from the fans. As a comparison 74% are picking Florida and 74% picking Virginia.

Those voting for us saw what we saw every game this year: our bloodthirsty defense. Keeping a team to 4 fgs is no f'n joke.

[Jhook89]

Which Harrison twin?

Andrew

[Bluzrover]

WSU should win... Yet, I've never seen such trash talk and smugness from the fans of a mid major team... Hope WSU players come out on Sunday as smug and over confident as the 12 of you on this board.. Actually came over just to have a intellectual conservation with what I assumed to be a humble fan base but I see that is a wasted effort.. Good Luck on Sunday BIG BOYS... Smh

It's a fan site numbnuts, what did you expect? With the exception of KC Shox, we all believe in this team and know what it's capable of doing if it keeps playing the way it has all season long, as a TEAM.

[1972Shocker]

There is no doubt Kentucky is a formidable opponent, as will any other team we face from here on out if we are fortunate enough to continue on. But the Shockers are every bit as formidable for Kentucky or any other team they may face. And there is just something about this team that seems to take our opponents by surprise, even though at this point there should be no more surprises. As Ron Baker says Cinderalla slippers don't come in size 14 and up.

[ShockTop]

Guys, just ignore the hit and run Kentucky fan. Not worth the words or energy.

[shocksrbest]

Anyone know who our announcers will be tomorrow?

[ShockerFever]

Anyone know who our announcers will be tomorrow?

Same as yesterday, Nancy and Anthony, which are pretty good.