WSU versus Newman Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[ShockTalk]

I think Marshall may approach this game as he would a scrimmage. Up to a point, the margin of victory is very secondary to it being a learning and gaining experience moment. We have a lot of new blood that needs floor time, not only with each other, but mixed in with our "starting 5". The new players may be very comfortable and confident playing against their teammates, but against opposition they don't know and under the scrutiny of 10,500 fans is a whole different thing.

It would appear that Shaq does not have any "stage fright", but still needs floor time to be more comfortable with the systems. On the opposite side, Henderson seems to be quite comfortable running plays against his teammates, but seems to get "deer in the headlights" on the big stage against those he's unfamiliar with.

For me, I'm hoping to see a lot of mixing the new with the old (whether it's 1 to 4 players) through the first half to 2/3s of the game, then the newbies working with each other. I see little need, IMO, to have our starting 5 on the court together, unless they are trying some new twists. This, for me, is not a game walk-ons should see much time.

[Dan]

I'd like to see the starters set the tone, build up a nice lead, then start working the newcomers in with the starters. Having the newcomers come in a 2nd unit would never happen in a real game and they need to get used to playing alongside the experienced guys. Let Corey run some point with Ron and Tekele there to bail him out if he gets in trouble. Let BWam play center with Darius at the 4. I'd also like to see some frontcourt combos like Nurger at the 4 and Shaq at the 5 and see if Nurger can start stretching the defense a bit. Anything that will make us stronger as a team down the road.

[asiseeit]

No disrespect to Newman intended but I don't see ANY positives. First, we risk injury to a key player.
Second, reserves PT against this competition could be misleading rather than revealing. Third, our
players don't have to play as hard or angry. The coach can demand it, the fans can expect it, but it
just won't happen. Its just natural and being able to just coast to victory, in my mind, is
counterproductive to our important mantra of playing angry.......a team scrimmage would be better
and, for me, more fun to watch. I imagine we tried to schedule a much better contest but a game
with Creighton or any number of teams would so much more interesting and beneficial even if it was
a loss to a big name school on the road.

[Dan]

welcome to college sports. I take it you won't be watching the Auburn-Samford football game this weekend?

[Dave Stalwart]

No disrespect to Newman intended but I don't see ANY positives. First, we risk injury to a key player.
Second, reserves PT against this competition could be misleading rather than revealing. Third, our
players don't have to play as hard or angry. The coach can demand it, the fans can expect it, but it
just won't happen. Its just natural and being able to just coast to victory, in my mind, is
counterproductive to our important mantra of playing angry.......a team scrimmage would be better
and, for me, more fun to watch. I imagine we tried to schedule a much better contest but a game
with Creighton or any number of teams would so much more interesting and beneficial even if it was
a loss to a big name school on the road.

I'm pretty sure that with Creighton we are on the "offering" end of another one of those nonexistent games, just like with KU. I do agree that it sure would be nice to be playing CU in this slot, but they wouldn't even take the game right now even if the series started at their place.

It's extremely lame. They are one team that should be on our non-con schedule every year just like Tulsa. It shouldn't even need to be talked about.

[1972Shocker]

No disrespect to Newman intended but I don't see ANY positives. First, we risk injury to a key player.
Second, reserves PT against this competition could be misleading rather than revealing. Third, our
players don't have to play as hard or angry. The coach can demand it, the fans can expect it, but it
just won't happen. Its just natural and being able to just coast to victory, in my mind, is
counterproductive to our important mantra of playing angry.......a team scrimmage would be better
and, for me, more fun to watch. I imagine we tried to schedule a much better contest but a game
with Creighton or any number of teams would so much more interesting and beneficial even if it was
a loss to a big name school on the road.

And how would that be different than playing a 300+ RPI D-1 opponent. Not much plus we don't take the RPI hit, we save $'s and we help out a local D-II school. Yes, we did try to find a reasonable D-1 opponent to buy and held out to the last minute before taking the Newman game as our fall back position.

Check out the national scoreboard. These games have become as common as whiskers on a cat. Not saying that's good but that is the way it is for now.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Our guys risk more injury in practice than they do any game in which they'll ever play.

[asiseeit]

Can't argue with counterpoints. It is what it is but I don't have to like it. Personally
I would offer to play any decent D1 school at their place. Since so may other schools
schedule these kind of games surely we could come together with some of them even
if it were on their terms.

[Brian]

Shox 105
Jets 47

[Steeleshocker]

Can't argue with counterpoints. It is what it is but I don't have to like it. Personally
I would offer to play any decent D1 school at their place. Since so may other schools
schedule these kind of games surely we could come together with some of them even
if it were on their terms.

I'm pretty sure most other decent schools are scared to play us right now, even at their place. Plus, Marshall doesn't take buy games. He buys other schools or does home and home. No takers were out there.

[asiseeit]

I understand the difficulties regarding scheduling. I understand their fear of us, but I
would give in to some demands to get ANY premier matchup ANYWHERE that would
garner major TV coverage. Surely, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, etc would like to
have another shot at us at their place. Unfair to us not getting a return game? Yes,
but I'd rather do that than this meaningless game.

[Dave Stalwart]

Can't argue with counterpoints. It is what it is but I don't have to like it. Personally
I would offer to play any decent D1 school at their place. Since so may other schools
schedule these kind of games surely we could come together with some of them even
if it were on their terms.

I feel like it almost makes no difference where we play in the Marshall Era. Road games aren't any more intimidating than home games if you look at the win/loss records of either. Our guys are so tough minded that it doesn't matter. I almost wonder why we don't just take buy games and beat people at their place. I suppose the kind of schools that would buy us are also the kind of schools that fear a loss too much.

I'm a little fascinated we couldn't get Bowling Green for this date. I have a pretty good feeling Jans will have them playing inside the top 150 or darn near it by the end of the year. Heck, based on what I've seen so far, I would like to have even had UMKC in here again. They beat Mizzou and hung with K-State. Plus, I have a soft spot for them just because they are local. I group them in with teams like UNO. I'd love to play them as often as possible, especially when they are good (by their standards).

[1972Shocker]

I understand the difficulties regarding scheduling. I understand their fear of us, but I
would give in to some demands to get ANY premier matchup ANYWHERE that would
garner major TV coverage. Surely, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, etc would like to
have another shot at us at their place. Unfair to us not getting a return game? Yes,
but I'd rather do that than this meaningless game.

Considering we only play only one exhibition game then opened with NMSU and Memphis with a string of capable D-1 opponents to follow I have a feeling that 3G is quite happy to have this game at this point to hopefully develop his depth a little bit further. Now if the schedule was loaded with bad games then I think you would have a point. That is not the case this year however. So we end up playing two exhibition games. Same as KU.

[SHOXAAC]

Do you remember the near fight between the Newman coach(Skinner, maybe?) and the Marymount coach(Cochran, maybe?)...had to be late 70s, early 80s...on tv news that night...just a piece of Newman 'trivia' that I can't even recall correctly...:)

Skinner will be back in town later in January to be inducted into Jets athletic hall of fame.

[ShockerPhi]

I'll be happy when we don't have to play teams like this anymore during the regular season. Only during exhibitions.

Shockers - 97
Jets - 55