WSU versus Utah Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[AZ Shocker]

Which five?

Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Villanova.

[jocoshock]

If Wessel starts I wonder who guards Jakob Poeltl . Carter would have his hands full and is prone to foul trouble if he draws that assignment.
Am anxious to see how Kelly plays tonight. If he and Shaq can rebound and defend we win.
.

HCGM said on the coaches show that Wessel would start and the the Utah player he would line up against is 6'6". Just going on what he said. I am eager to see the actual matchup. Our bigs are going to have their hands full tonight.

[Shock Top]

True, but it was a neutral site.

In Louisville's backyard.

(Relative to WSU)

[WstateU]

******* thinks we'll win? He must be undervaluing our competition more than us:

http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/pa...203/daily-word

[Cdizzle]

Was feeling mildly OK about this game, until I saw that ******* actually predicted we would win. Though he did manage to blame it on an Utah injury, so I guess he wasn't being totally out of character.

http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/dailyword141203/daily-word

[jocoshock]

@EnthusiAdams: Wichita State @ Utah, Shox will need to Gang rebound like mad men, toughest team wins. This game has huge national relevance. Flip a coin!


@EnthusiAdams: Wichita St @ Utah hornets nest game. I recruited Larry Krystowiak (unsuccessfully) one tough dude as are his teams. Deep/skilled/tough.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

SDSU was Utah's second game and as I stated before, a very hostile road environment. If you really watched the game, you would know Utah's length and athleticism bothered SDSU as much as SDSU's may have bothered Utah. Utah had more rebounds and more blocks so your comments don't really give the full picture of what Utah brings from a size,athleticism, and defensive standpoint.

One thing I am confident of is that Utah will have the advantage in the paint and interior against WSU. WSU has some very good guards but Utah counters with all PAC-12 player and defender, Delon Wright who will likely have Baker for most of the game. Wright is 6'5" so he has the size and athleticism to slow Baker. I have seen Baker play and know how good and tough he is. That said, Wright is pretty damn good himself so it may come down to that matchup and which one of those players has the better night offensively and defensively.

Expect Utah to try to pound it inside to their bigs like Jacob Poetl, Chris Reyes, and Dallin Bachynski to try to exploit the size advantage. Poetl has struggled at the line this year but as I stated before, I think he may be there a lot tonight (if he avoids early foul trouble) and if Utah shoots over 70% at the line, I think they have a great shot at getting the win. If Uyah shoots poorly from line ala SDSU or defends the perimeter poorly, I give the Shockers the advantage.

As this a Utah home game and Utah plays pretty well at home, don't expect another shooting night as poor as what some may have seen at SDSU. Where WSU will need to try to take advantage is by forcing TO's and turning those into points. Utah has been somewhat turnover prone this season and last so that may also play a significant role in who wins this game.

I realize your post was a lot of bravado. I respect WSU as much has anyone having seen them play in person but if you thinking the Shockers win tonight by 17+, you are going to be disappointed. I think it goes to the wire and will come down to TO's, free throws, and who gets the best of the Baker/Wright matchup.

I didn't mean to l downplay Utah's defense at all, but thing when weighing strength vs. strength, other factors will influence the game.

I expect our offense to sputter at times. Not many teams hold Gregg Marshall teams below 70.

This is going to be a war, I just think our offense will outperform the Utah offense and we will pull away late.

[UteShocker]

Alum of both Utah (undergrad) and Wichita State (masters), so I feel I know both teams well.

This is the last game on the schedule I wanted to see. It will probably be the most enjoyable to watch, but the outcome is a win-lose situation for me, although my first allegiance is with the Utes.

Screw anyone in Utah's fanbase who dogs on Wichita. My family and I lived in Derby for 8 years and enjoyed it, although being out West is more my style. And for another viewpoint on Ute hoops, visit utahby5.com

We've always struggled with 6-7 thickness and you guys have that in spades. Poeltl is key tonight in defending the rim. Also, I expect JUCO transfer Chris Reyes to prove why we brought him into the program -- physically, he's the guy who is going to match up with Carter, Kelly, Morris, etc. If we can do that and keep Baker and VV from getting free looks from 3, Utah wins.

Still curious about Jordan Loveridge's availability for tonight's game -- he's missed the last two with a knee/leg injury of undetermined severity. He's usually decent at home, mediocre on the road. He's Utah's second-leading returning scorer and rebounder. Your scouting report will say to make him go left and put the ball on the floor and not leave him open from 3.

Delon Wright is the best player you'll face all season. His 3PT has improved, but no player in the nation was better in 2PT than Delon, who made nearly 2-3rds of his 2PT attempts. I'm curious as to whom he'll guard -- probably Baker, since our other starting guard, 5-10 Brandon Taylor, is better suited physically to defend VV.

The winning team will have an impact freshman coming off the bench to play a key role. My money's on Brekkot Chapman, the highest rated HS recruit from either team. 6-8, 215 and can play on the perimeter.

I want the Utes to win but I won't be crushed if the Shox pull it out. We'll have many more chances to prove ourselves. Utes 73, Shockers 67

[1972Shocker]

I dunno where the line is; but the long trip, the high altitude, the size advantage, makes me think Utah oughta be the favorite.

Not to mention home court advantage and 2/3rds of our team have never played in front of a large, hostile road crowd.

[Shocker-maniac]

Is the altitude that much of a factor? Elevation for SLC is 4226 ft which doesn't seem that much to me. I might suffer from bad memory, but I don't recall altitude being a factor the last time we played in SLC.

[Shock Therapy]

Is the elevation that much of a factor? Elevation for SLC is 4226 ft which doesn't seem that much to me. I might suffer from bad memory, but I don't recall elevation being a factor the last time we played in SLC.

No. However it was a factor at air force, which is probably what everyone is thinking of. Air Forces arena was around 7000 feet.

[Rixtoy1]

I am sitting in Hamburg Germany ready to hit the sack for a few hours (11:00PM here) , and be up at 5AM for the game.
Can I watch on my computer on ESPN 2 via internet or will I just be able to listen to Mike on the live feed? anyone know?
Thanks.

[Play Angry]

I am sitting in Hamburg Germany ready to hit the sack for a few hours (11:00PM here) , and be up at 5AM for the game.
Can I watch on my computer on ESPN 2 via internet or will I just be able to listen to Mike on the live feed? anyone know?
Thanks.

Should be available on ESPN3.

[shoxfan3]

Per my recollection during my time over there, I could only connect to espn3 via a proxy server, as I think espn3 is blocked in Europe. Something like citrix would do the trick.

[pogo]

I am sitting in Hamburg Germany ready to hit the sack for a few hours (11:00PM here) , and be up at 5AM for the game.
Can I watch on my computer on ESPN 2 via internet or will I just be able to listen to Mike on the live feed? anyone know?
Thanks.

Still really like the avatar.