The OFFICIAL Shocks vs. Runnin' Utes Game Thread

[jdshock]

FVV had a rough game.

That said... If it wouldn't remind me of the eventual result of the game, I'd have a constant loop of his 3 at the end of regulation playing on my computer monitor. He jukes the guy out of his shoes, steps back and drains the three. We have a lot to be excited about this season even after that game.

I went ahead and made a crude GIF of that shot in case anyone else wants a pick me up today. I don't know how to embed gifs, but here it is in full looping glory. Link

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

FRED STOOOOPPPPP

*** ****, Fred.

And yet he still keeps shooting. No passing. No running the offense. I think AA is going to his head.

I really don't get how Fred doesn't have a red light tonight

You think FVV being on the Wooden Watch List is giving him some extra pressure? He is definitely pressing tonight

What the hell is Fred's problem. Does somebody need to remind him that he's our point guard.

Fred had a ton of good looks from during the first 35 minutes of the game. He had some jumpers spin in and out and some layups that just barely rollled off. He missed them, but almost every one of them was a good shot from a decision making perspective. If they simply fall, all the comments are about how amazing Fred is.

I'm so glad Fred trusts his decision making more than some of the posters on this board. I am actually a skeptic (relative to a lot of Shocker fans) about Fred's actual physical abilities (I think he is very good, but not out of this world good), but the key is that his head is screwed on right... better than almost any player I've ever seen. Questioning if the awards are affecting his judgement? Couldn't be further off base.

[wusphlash]

Checked all bridges this morning. No unusual activity.

I think all the older guys could have played better last night. That being said, our level of success this year will depend on the maturation of the baby bigs. No big surprise. Rebound, play defense and go strong to the basket when you get the chance.

[WuDrWu]

All 4 of WSU's last losses have been close, heart-wrenching ones (including the MVC tourney game vs CU).

Goes to show the moxie this program has.

Next time, it'll bounce the Shockers way.

This program rarely loses. When they do, they rarely lose without a legit shot to win at the end. It's a great day to be a fan of this program, enjoy the ride.



Utah (shot in the air to win in reg, FTs to win, tip to win, shot to win)
UK (shot to win)
UL (barring a bogus jump ball would have been shot to tie or win)
CU(shot to tie)

I could go on but the vast majority of games that a Marshall coached team has lost are still in doubt in the last or next to last possession.

[wusphlash]

When do they start selling tickets for the return game at IBA next year. I'm ready.

[Slalomshocker]

The 4/5 spot are going to be the down fall unless someone can step up and rebound. Shaq...when the light finally comes on....could be very good. I nominate Rashard Kelly for more minutes though. He missed a couple box outs last night, but he fought and I thought showed something. Rauno needs to hit the weights....hard. And for all the complaining about Evan being undersized, he was your rebounding leader...and is 99/100 the leader in effort. Its not ideal, but I thought he played well against their bigs. Stop the dad gum pick and roll 1 of the 30 times in a row it was run in the first half.....and maybe it ends differently.

[mjbaker84]

As much as I like Wessel, I don't think he's the answer at PF against a high quality front line. Our freshman bigs played well tonight (the box score said Shaquille had one foul, bench had 10 rebounds).

We need them to step up during Valley play and be ready for the tourney.

I appreciate HCGM for finding a way to get Wessel's out on the floor, I just think we may lose more games if we can't get more size and bulk up front.

Asking Wessel block out a 7 footer on free throws won't work long term. But I really liked the way our team fought last night. We're going to win a lot of games no matter how it goes.

I agree. Wessel is a heart and soul player and at times makes big shots, but other times he is a detriment to the team in certain aspects.

Also heard that the fan's threw glow sticks at the shocker bench... a few dumbass fans trying to ruin what was a great game.
FVV played what is probably his worst game of his shocker career, he shot way way too much.

We need another big besides shaq to sub in too, nurger (sp?) and bush maybe?

[Slalomshocker]

To clarify, by 'down fall' I mean when the team does lose. The future is bright. This team is a 3/4 seed that will likely get a 2 if the season plays out with the parity shown so far. And as the saying goes, "the best thing about frosh is they become sophs". Get Darius to play 20min+ without getting 5 fouls and get Shaq to play smart and this team is very dangerous.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I bet Gooblieb is unloading one right now.

I'm sure Gottlube is going nuts right now, I bet you we will be his opening story on his tv show tomorrow

Let the meltdowns from Gottlube and others begin

FWIW Gottlieb said he liked Fred more because of this game. This was before Fred started making baskets.

Yes AndShock, you are correct.

Twitter posts by Gottlieb last night:

Funny, I like Van Vleet more tonight than before…misses some good looks, but attack of bigs on ball screen is excellent

Numbers can be deceiving, VanVleet missed 2/3 around and out..not shooting it poorly

Ooooooh Kill em #VanVleet

Wichita lost, but w/o Carter (fouls), not as good w/o Early (NBA) but team is tough as nails..

Very complimentary I would say.

[Shock Top]

Funny, WSU seems to make more fans with the pundits, after these tough losses then they do after wins.

[Shockeriffic]

I've seen some comments saying this was Fred's worst game as a Shocker. He's never going to be worse than the 3 turnovers in 5 minutes he had against VCU. Of course, early in your Freshman year is when you're supposed to have your worst game.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I've seen some comments saying this was Fred's worst game as a Shocker. He's never going to be worse than the 3 turnovers in 5 minutes he had against VCU. Of course, early in your Freshman year is when you're supposed to have your worst game.

Fred's freshman year is good perspective for us when we analyze the play of the newcomers in the front court this year. They will make some mistakes, they will get better.

[Shocker-maniac]

My 10 second assessment:

We're pretty good right now, but we need to get better. We have lots of upside potential to get where we want to be. Lots of work to do, but things are very positive.

[Kung Wu]

That game was FUN to watch! There's no quit!

Did Poeltl score while Nurger was on the floor? Nurger had one silly turnover but was solid against Poeltl.

Crowd was fantastic. This would be a nice home/home competitor for the next several years. Props to the Utes -- heckuva team!

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

It's amazing how defining that 70 point threshold truly is with our team. I'd really be interested in our records over the last several years scoring < 70 and 70+.

Scoring less than 70
2014-2015: 0-1
2013-2014: 10-0
2012-2013: 12-8
2011-2012: 5-4

Total: 27-13


Scoring 70+
2014-2015: 4-0
2013-2014: 25-1
2012-2013: 18-1
2011-2012: 22-2

Total: 69-4

If I have time, I might do the same analysis for 60 and 80 just to see how they look.