WSU versus Newman Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[AndShock]

Since we couldn't find a game in this slot we should have just gotten Elgin/an MVC school to have us play an MVC game in this slot. Then that would've opened up a date to play UConn during conference play like UConn wanted to.

[asiseeit]

I'd take a really good game any way we could get it instead of a DII school. Now, if we played in
a strong conference that gave us plenty of great games I could live with a second cupcake, but that
is NOT the case. We are good so lets play good teams as much as we possibly can.

[shockmonster]

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.

I'm not sure how much you really understand. This is the main topic of conversation every year. Last year we had the 27th best OCC schedule in Div. 1. This year's schedule is quite a bit better. If we have the 27th best schedule, that means that plenty of BCS conference schools are playing a lot easier teams than we are and they don't care. Even Gonzaga isn't looking to make their schedule anymore difficult than they judge necessary to prepare them and help them build a resume. I think that it is presumptuous of you to say that Gregg hasn't turned over every rock that he could to build the best schedule he could. I would expect that almost every scenario that you've put forward has been examined (in the hour or two that you've thought about it) in some detail.

[60Shock]

I do not understand 'this FEAR of playing us now that we are a top rated team' which apparently is close to the same "fear' scheduling wise, as when we hovered for a short while in the 30 - 60 range.

In most cases it should be a win/win situation for an opponent. Just what does a team ranked (25 - 99) have to lose even if they get beat as long as they put up a decent game and don't get slaughtered? Even with a loss, they might even move up in the rankings.

And if they win, it could be the difference as to their getting into post season play.

Understand that some BCS schools (even outside of Kansas) are still reluctant to play us and probably will always remain so. But it does seem to be slowly improving and should continue to do so.

Personally, I believe the major 'fear' is of not wanting to play in Koch. Look at it from their viewpoint and it is almost an assured loss and therefore a major reason a lot of teams do not want to schedule a one-and-one series with us.

Couple that with our W/L road record over the last several years and they are looking at two loses versus perhaps only one against other schools, ala LSU a few years back.

[The Mad Hatter]

One of the key factors in scheduling is finding home games, which kind of matters to season ticket holders, and matter financially to the school. It sounds great in theory to talk about taking a buy game on the road, but not only do you lose a home game that year, setting the precedent that to get WSU the schedule you don't have to offer a home-and-home makes it harder to get good home games in future years. This has been the stated reasoning by both Marshall and athletic department leaders.

[Steeleshocker]

Since we couldn't find a game in this slot we should have just gotten Elgin/an MVC school to have us play an MVC game in this slot. Then that would've opened up a date to play UConn during conference play like UConn wanted to.

That's actually a really great idea. Although i know coaches sometimes struggle with taking a non con in the middle of the conference grind.

[shocka khan]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but in our FF year, we had three guys injured in practice.

So, asiseeit, do we quit practicing because someone might get injured? I don't recall near as many or as serious injuries that we have had in any game over the last 3 or 4 years.

Note I am with the camp favoring exhibition games. You won't see at least a few of these young men sniffing the court when we get into the valley schedule (except when we play Bradley and LOLoyola, neither of whom would be a sure bet against Sacred Heart).

[Rlh04d]

We gon' win.

[1972Shocker]

Gonzaga playing D-II St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY). How could that possibly be?

[ShockTalk]

Gonzaga playing D-II St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY). How could that possibly be?

By the look of the score, it possibly shouldn't be.

[WuDrWu]

Gonzaga playing D-II St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY). How could that possibly be?

True, but the Bulldogs also start HOME AND HOME series with UCLA and Arizona this season. WSU too...(the other WSU).

It would be nice if we could get home and home series with an instate school and 2 other Big 12 schools.

Too bad they are CHICKENSHIT.

[forevershockerfan]

looking at today's paper I noticed we are very similar height wise to the Jets terms of our starters. Our bench offers more height inside. This may be one of out shortest

starting line-ups in recent years as it stands now. Even so, we understand 3G teams are solid rebounding teams. It will be interesting to see if by Valley time the line-up

might have be slightly different. We know Cotton, Baker, and FVV will lead our team in minutes played followed closely by Carter. From there, the minutes are up for grabs

and we have several candidates that will have solid chances to help our squad in our rotation whether they start, finish, get hot in a game, or whatever depending on our match-ups and needs

in each game.

[DwShock]

34

[Tyrone Shoelace]

Mark Potter and I go way back. He is an outstanding coach. He was a baller in college AND he could swing a mean stick in baseball (however he struggled hitting the split finger fastball which my dad "Spike" invented in the early 60's).
Potsie will have his team prepared and motivated, but just as he was no match for my crossover dribble (which I invented in the early 70's) his boys will be no match for the Shox.

[choida]

Is this game on cox 22 today? Or just ESPN 3 internet crap