#16 WSU @ Drake Official Game Thread

[1979Shocker]

Loose balls? Drake got too many. That's bad. Coach is liking Henderson's D better. That's good.

I don't think there were that many loose balls in the whole game, unless you're counting rebounds that seemed to almost be secured by us that Drake ended up getting.

[forevershockerfan]

I don't think there were that many loose balls in the whole game, unless you're counting rebounds that seemed to almost be secured by us that Drake ended up getting.

At first I wondered if the loose balls, rebounds up for grabs, etc. were bouncing Drake's way. Nope, every team we play will give their all against us in hopes of the upset and try to out hustle us kind of like playing their super-bowl. 3G warned them Drake was going to be ready and they were.

[DUShock]

Shocks RPI dropped marginally but we remained #9 at WarrenNolan following the win. SOS dropped from 7 to 17.

[1979Shocker]

I wonder what kind of team we would have if we could have the frontcourt players of any of the top 15 ranked teams along with our guards? I'd even just take a center off of those teams.

[Dave Stalwart]

I wonder what kind of team we would have if we could have the frontcourt players of any of the top 15 ranked team along with our guards? I'd even just take a center off of those teams.

I'd even take Enevold Jensen. We made him look awfully good.

[jocoshock]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/video?vid=12105322&src=desktop

[AZ Shocker]

I wonder what kind of team we would have if we could have the frontcourt players of any of the top 15 ranked teams along with our guards? I'd even just take a center off of those teams.

We would be loaded and a legitimate threat against Kentucky in the Final Four. No doubt.

[forevershockerfan]

We would be loaded and a legitimate threat against Kentucky in the Final Four. No doubt.

What will be interesting is this. What if we get the 1,2, and 3 slots with both starters and backups playing their very best when it counts and we peak at the end when we should. Now what if Carter, Nurger, Kelly, Brown, Wessel, and Bush keep improving by leaps and bounds little by little and really come around at the same time our guards do. The question becomes, when we hit the Dance, and these variables do occur as mentioned, now how far can we go? Right now, we are not getting near enough good touches inside. We score 3's and off our penetration mostly. If our guards can get our big's established enough inside to score more easy buckets inside and our guards really get their shooting touches clicking, watch out!!!

Our rebounding edge and solid D has given us the edge in times past. Tonight, we got out-rebounded and 3G is not one bit happy about that. We also did not cause the turnovers and chaos we should of tonight on defense. The play angry motto has to be reignited and demonstrated on the floor in each and every game. The Season is early and we are 11-2. Even so, we are still in the search mode with 8 new players and this can take time.

[AZ Shocker]

The "what if" my friend forevershockerfan will never be questioned by me from a Gregg Marshall coached team. Me thinks you are on to something...and this Shocker fan would not at all be surprised to witness another unbelievable run in March by a Gregg Marshall coached team. GO SHOCKS!!!

On a slightly different angle....I do think Shaq is done as a Shocker....but I wouldn't be at all surprised that Coach Marshall somehow saves the player and turns him into an All-MVC player.

[Shocker-maniac]

The Bulldogs' bench outscored the Shockers' reserves by a 21-10 margin

[Purple Mustache]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2014/12/31/drake-wichita-state-basketball-andrew-logue/21138219/

"If you make them grind — cut out transition baskets, limit Ron Baker and/or Fred VanVleet's touches and turn the game into a half-court tussle — you might pull off the upset."
It seemed Shox played better after FVV had to sit down. Either the team was more focused 'cause FVV was out or he was dragging things down tonight. Also the story says some of the guys weren't feeling well.

[Shocker-maniac]

nm

[WSUwatcher]

Why should you need a 6'4" guy to show a bunch of 6'6"+ athletes how to rebound?

Because he knows how? By the way, Wessel is an athlete, too -- make no mistake about that.

[shockmonster]

And that is a sad statement with two preseason All-Americans, Tekele and Darius still playing..

If Darius can't find beast mode, maybe he needs to spend some time with Shaq in Wichita...

I think that you sell Evan a little short. I've seen every home game this year and he has instincts that can't be taught. X had them, and they allowed him to average 14 rebounds a game. Wessel is smart, can read offenses and defenses, sets perfect picks, etc. He does everything well except creating a shot by himself. He was a Free Safety (a position where instincts are vital) in football, and just has great instincts. He was averaging 5 rebounds and there were always 3 or so other rebounds that he kept alive with his effort and quick jumping. I honestly don't know what was wrong with Carter but all of our posts hedged off of the screen very badly and the 7 footer schooled us.

I will add that I saw at least twice tonight that Zach Brown didn't screen off the player he was guarding, and the ball bounced long off of the rim and Brown's player got the rebound. I think that Wessel does a better job. We usually do a good job of screening off but not tonight.

The little things win games. Evan does the little things.

[jocoshock]

I think that you sell Evan a little short. I've seen every home game this year and he has instincts that can't be taught. X had them, and they allowed him to average 14 rebounds a game. Wessel is smart, can read offenses and defenses, sets perfect picks, etc. He does everything well except creating a shot by himself. He was a Free Safety (a position where instincts are vital) in football, and just has great instincts. He was averaging 5 rebounds and there were always 3 or so other rebounds that he kept alive with his effort and quick jumping. I honestly don't know what was wrong with Carter but all of our posts hedged off of the screen very badly and the 7 footer schooled us.

I will add that I saw at least twice tonight that Zach Brown didn't screen off the player he was guarding, and the ball bounced long off of the rim and Brown's player got the rebound. I think that Wessel does a better job. We usually do a good job of screening off but not tonight.

The little things win games. Evan does the little things.

I don't sell Evan short. I recognize and appreciate all of his qualities, but Evan would not have closed the rebounding gap last night or added any significant scoring inside the paint. His presence would not have made Darius play more aggressively with the ball in his hands. Shaq's presence might have, but even that is wishful thinking.

Until our new bigs start rebounding better and get to the point where they know what to do with the ball in their hands, we are going to struggle offensively, Evan or no Evan.

I LOVE what Evan brings to our team. I HATE that he has to bring it at the 4 instead of the 2 or 3. That is a shortcoming of of front line, not Evan.