The OFFICIAL Shocks vs. Runnin' Utes Game Thread

[ShockerEngineer]

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!

I, too, commented that Nurger seemed effective on Poeltl on the defensive end.

[im4wsu]

Utah hit shots. We didnt.

Time to beat the shite out of ST Louis

And Utah did not foul and the Shox did. They had 3 fouls to give at the end of the first half and one at the end of regulation. Both times that foul kept us from getting a decent look at the basket. Even assuming 38% shooting on two 2-pt attempts, thats over the one point needed to win the game.

[pinstripers]

Baker's missed dunk.

[proshox]

I still can't get past the fact that we didn't get the ball on the low block for the last thirty minutes of the game. Why have DC setting screens 10+ feet from where he can score?

Back when we had an efficient low post scorer named Stutz, HCGM told everyone he was the milk man and that our success depended upon feeding him a steady dose of opportunities. I know DC was in foul trouble, but he got second half minutes and only had one opportunity to score. He succeeded that time as he tends to do.

I can't help, but think Jans would have forced that issue if he was on the bench. I have sat behind the bench a number of times during HCGM's time and it was always seems like Jans identified the gimmick that got us going when our offense/defense wasn't clicking...

[wu_shizzle]

I do hope Utah beats the living **** out of KU in a couple of weeks though.

If Utah continues to play like that, you won't have to "hope".

You bet the farm.

[Kung Wu]

I hope David Hall's neck or face is okay. Can't imagine being on the receiving end of one of Shaq's elbows at his age.

[JJClamdip]

This loss does not bode well, what a way to start off the Conner Frankamp era!

[Shock Therapy]

I, too, commented that Nurger seemed effective on Poeltl on the defensive end.

Everyone that I was watching with noticed this as well.

[wu_shizzle]

I hope David Hall's neck or face is okay. Can't imagine being on the receiving end of one of Shaq's elbows at his age.

Has anyone heard if he survived?

[ShockerEngineer]

I commented to a friend that we're now likely out of the running for a #1 seed in the tournament, even if we win every other game until then. What do you guys think?

[goshox_dm]

The trouble this team has playing 40 minutes makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes. Even though they went 35-1 last year, I sang the same tune all last season as well. Last night the Shox led 33-25 and really felt like they had a chance to open things up a little going to the locker room. Instead, they gave up a 4-0 spurt to cut it to 33-29 at the break. They also had that 5 or 6 minute stretch in the second where they got caught going under screens and got killed with the 3 ball. It felt like they gave up baskets in 3 or 4 minute bunches last night. You can't expect to win games when you're just completely losing it between media timeouts...ESPECIALLY on the defensive end. They have to stop dropping under the high ball screen, it killed them over and over last night. It's not going to be any different in the guard- and shooter- heavy MVC if they don't get this fixed. Despite the 38% shooting, that game was lost on the defensive end. 47% opponent shooting is not Shocker defense. 10 offensive rebounds allowed is not Shocker defense. That's not playing angry. All that said, this is why we love Gregg. We all know he'll right the ship. And it's a lot easier to learn from a loss than from a win. GO SHOCKS!!!

[Ute Fan]

You have a great team Shocker fans - From a Rick Majerus disciple

I still can't get past the fact that we didn't get the ball on the low block for the last thirty minutes of the game. Why have DC setting screens 10+ feet from where he can score?

Back when we had an efficient low post scorer named Stutz, HCGM told everyone he was the milk man and that our success depended upon feeding him a steady dose of opportunities. I know DC was in foul trouble, but he got second half minutes and only had one opportunity to score. He succeeded that time as he tends to do.

I can't help, but think Jans would have forced that issue if he was on the bench. I have sat behind the bench a number of times during HCGM's time and it was always seems like Jans identified the gimmick that got us going when our offense/defense wasn't clicking...

Hey Shocker Fans,

Great Game last night. You have a terrific team. In a perfect world I would love to watch good basketball like that every night. Your team reminds me more of our old Rick Majerus teams....tough nosed defense, disciplined O, no turnovers, good looks at the hoop each time down the court, more physical, on and on.

I think you actually have a much better basketball team skill wise and discipline wise. I think our boys benefited from length and size and the home court atmosphere.

I was at the game last night with my 9 year old son and made him watch Ron Baker all night long. In person Ron Baker is so much more quick and athletic than what I was expecting, he's strong, skilled and smart. His left hand dribble looks stronger than his right hand. Again, I wasn't expecting him to be as quick as he looked in person, his jab step is quick and moves the defender and he has counter after counter move. Very quick and smooth on the quick draw as well.

Overall it looked like the refs leaned our way, but there were several calls that made me scratch my head. I believe the worst ref of the three was the one that went out after being dinged with an elbow....hope he's doing ok.

Like many on here I too wondered why you guys didn't get the ball in the post more often. Perhaps the Ute defense was taking that away. Carter (hope I got that right) seemed to have the ability to do whatever he wanted in the post, even scoring right over the top of our 7' Poeltl and Bachynski. When Poeltl forced him baseline, he casually dropped stepped and scored like it was nothing.

Anyway, like I said, you have a terrific team. Reminds me of Rick Majerus basketball. I attended his camps every year so I really do identify with the style of play that is currently Shocker basketball. Makes me wish I was a shocker fan. Good luck to you guys the rest of the way. Go Shockers and Go Utes!

[wu_shizzle]

FVV played what is probably his worst game of his shocker career, he shot way way too much.

I don't think he shot too much with the way they were guarding Baker and with the lineup we had on the floor.

I think Rian Holland had a good game in that it gave us another perimeter threat when Utah determined to play 4 on 4.

[goshox_dm]

I think you're probably right, but I think we would be sitting comfortably on the 2 line. If Northern Iowa becomes a top 25 mainstay, though, we might be able to squeeze into a 1.

[WSUwatcher]

I still can't get past the fact that we didn't get the ball on the low block for the last thirty minutes of the game. Why have DC setting screens 10+ feet from where he can score?

Back when we had an efficient low post scorer named Stutz, HCGM told everyone he was the milk man and that our success depended upon feeding him a steady dose of opportunities. I know DC was in foul trouble, but he got second half minutes and only had one opportunity to score. He succeeded that time as he tends to do.

I can't help, but think Jans would have forced that issue if he was on the bench. I have sat behind the bench a number of times during HCGM's time and it was always seems like Jans identified the gimmick that got us going when our offense/defense wasn't clicking...

That's a good point -- Marshall is about as good as they get tactically, but Jans added that little extra insight now and then, and Marshall was smart enough to listen. Who will be this year's Jans on the bench?

And speaking of tactics, where was Holland on the final possession? Didn't he establish in high school that his final-shot range extends well beyond half court? ;)

Edit: Just saw your very classy and gracious post, Ute Fan. Welcome, and come back any time -- and please feel free to become a Shocker fan, too. You don't have to just wish; make the REAL WSU (not the one in Ogden) your second team.