WSU VERSUS ALABAMA PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[1972Shocker]

Alabama Game Notes from the Crimson Tide web site.

Includes a video of yesterday's presser and some scouting information.

[Fozzy]

Probably be close to start and then WSU will go on spurts and push the lead to double digits and keep it there feeding off the intensity of the crowd, and the game being on ESPN and Dickie V in the house. Only problem could be if someone decides they want to play selfish ball to try to impress the national audience but hopefully that won't happen. WSU wins 73-59.

[ragnar]

I like the coach. Nice interview and respect for Marshall. Thanks for posting.

[AZ Shocker]

I bet 'Bama doesn't want to be embarrassed on ESPN with Dick Vitale courtside. They've got to bring their A-game no???

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I bet 'Bama doesn't want to be embarrassed on ESPN with Dick Vitale courtside. They've got to bring their A-game no???

I'm sure the 'Bama players will run up the court, notice Dicky V, and think, "gosh, I gotta play well for that guy". Their coaches would have no chance of motivating them to revenge a home loss last year to a team that is highly ranked once again this year if it weren't for Mr. Vitale sitting there to get them excited.

:cower:

[jocoshock]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaab/eye-on-college-basketball/24893961/tuesdays-viewers-guide-vcu-and-wichita-state-face-interesting-tests

Matchup of the Night -- Ricky Tarrant and Levi Randolph vs. Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker: The backcourt of Alabama vs. the backcourt of Wichita State. This will be an interesting one becuase it pits the highly-skilled Shockers against the bigger, athletic guards for the Tide. If the Tide backcourt can someone outplay these guys, Alabama could win. But there are very few defensive backcourts in the country who can make teams as uncomfortable as Wichita State does. Look for Tekele Cotton to see some minutes on both of these guys, and also look for Wichita to possibly press a bit as that worked really well for them against Detroit on Saturday.

[AZ Shocker]

I'm sure the 'Bama players will run up the court, notice Dicky V, and think, "gosh, I gotta play well for that guy". Their coaches would have no chance of motivating them to revenge a home loss last year to a team that is highly ranked once again this year if it weren't for Mr. Vitale sitting there to get them excited.

:cower:

Lol - love it Jamar. Smart-ass wise cracks make my day sometimes! Good one.

[Cdizzle]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaab/eye-...eresting-tests

Matchup of the Night -- Ricky Tarrant and Levi Randolph vs. Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker: The backcourt of Alabama vs. the backcourt of Wichita State. This will be an interesting one becuase it pits the highly-skilled Shockers against the bigger, athletic guards for the Tide. If the Tide backcourt can someone outplay these guys, Alabama could win. But there are very few defensive backcourts in the country who can make teams as uncomfortable as Wichita State does. Look for Tekele Cotton to see some minutes on both of these guys, and also look for Wichita to possibly press a bit as that worked really well for them against Detroit on Saturday.

"Bigger" seems a bit subjective in this case. So does the implication of "more athletic."

I hope this "small and unathletic" assumption continues to get perpetuated in the national media. It seems like every decent team we have faced in the past 4-5 years, we hear this same narrative. And the same post-game comments about losing rebounding battles, toughness battles, physicality battles, athletic press troubles as reasons for a loss. There are few things I find more enjoyable.

While I'm on the topic of menacing athletic guards, will the real Tekele Cotton please stand up? You were my preseason pick to win the MVC PoY. I told everyone. So far I'm not sure if you are even the 2nd best defensive guard in our backcourt. You have some really good competition, but still. I'm really looking forward to you absolutely shutting someone down in the near future.

[Steeleshocker]

I'm on my phone, so links are a challenge for me, but on ESPNs daily word, Katz comments on how well Alabama defends while O'Neil discusses how weak Alabama is defensively (while using stats). Kind of amusing.

[kochHead]

So far in this thread I have learned that we are facing a very large team who lacks size. They defend very well but are weak on defense. Next we will find out how they are offensively challenged but are great at getting the ball in the basket.

[Cdizzle]

Alabama has had a good defense the past 3 years or so. And a pretty atrocious offense. I haven't seen them play much except in a game against Iowa St., and they showed no real inclination to play any defense, much less good defense, in that game. But that is only one game, and it is possible it was an anomaly (though current statistics and metrics would say it wasn't that big of an aberration).

[jocoshock]

"Bigger" seems a bit subjective in this case. So does the implication of "more athletic."

I hope this "small and unathletic" assumption continues to get perpetuated in the national media. It seems like every decent team we have faced in the past 4-5 years, we hear this same narrative. And the same post-game comments about losing rebounding battles, toughness battles, physicality battles, athletic press troubles as reasons for a loss. There are few things I find more enjoyable.

While I'm on the topic of menacing athletic guards, will the real Tekele Cotton please stand up? You were my preseason pick to win the MVC PoY. I told everyone. So far I'm not sure if you are even the 2nd best defensive guard in our backcourt. You have some really good competition, but still. I'm really looking forward to you absolutely shutting someone down in the near future.

What do you base your concerns about Tekele on? In just the past couple of games he has tied the WSU record for steals (7) in a game (his second time) and coach and Mike Kennedy called out his shutdown performance against one of Detroit's top scorers. Im another recent game it was noted that played against two players, one in each half, and effectively shut down both in those periods.

[forevershockerfan]

Man was my point spread discombobulated. However, the Shocks get another important Non-Con win. It is nice to play tougher teams to prepare us for more wins downstream!!!!!!!

[T.VuOP]

I think it'll be pretty close. One reason that comes to mind first is that we just played them last year. They have seen us and all our moves. I don't know how many of their players are returning from last years team....but if there are a few from last years squad...they will definitely guard us better. Would not be surprised in the least bit to see this game come down to the final possession.

Dicky-V in the HOUSE!!!! Another national tv game!!! Hope the Koch is really AMPED for this one....our guys are gonna need it!!!! GO SHOCKS!!!!

Winner!!!
Respect all opponents. We needed to come from behind in the last 2 games to win

[AZ Shocker]

Winner!!!
Respect all opponents. We needed to come from behind in the last 2 games to win

Thanks T.VuOP. I guess even a desert dweller can get "lucky" sometimes. ;)