WSU VERSUS NOTRE DAME PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME DISCUSSIONS

[ND2010]

Computer had KU/WSU as a toss up as well. But, what (to me) set WSU apart was poise. Down 8 or up 8 they did the grinding and dirty work of playing solid basketball. Watching the KU players behaviour with fouls and general play, they definitely didn't. Is ND closer to WSU or KU in that non-stat?

We are much closer to you guys in that area. We were down 18 or 20 at NC State earlier this year and clawed our way back to win, down double digits against Miami, down about ten against UNC second half in the ACC Championship game before going on to a 24-2 run, and are 4-0 in overtime games. Usually very good at executing for a score right before the half and at the end of games (with the Butler last two minute fiasco being the exception.) An easy (or easier?) way to slow us down is to make Zach Auguste beat you. He loves to post but is not very good at all with his back to the basket. We made Okafor beat us by single teaming him all game and that worked twice out of three games even though his stats were ridiculous in the two ND wins. Auguste is no Okafor, so I suspect you'll see WSU modeling what Northeastern did first round where we only attempted 6 three point FG's and Auguste had 25 points in a close win.

Butler is a very good defensive team, like WSU, and I think they attempted to make Auguste and Vasturia beat them. I think the latter was their mistake

[KC Shox]

I can easily see this game as another Butler v ND game. I can also see ND blowing us out if they are hot from 3 and vice versa. WSU seems to always surprise non-con opponents who aren't used to seeing/playing against us with our grit, determination and physicality. I thank Mr. Rosenboom for this, one of the best in the business regarding the last part.

Here's my X factor. Darius is from Akron, OH. He'll have family and friends there to cheer him on and Lebron James will send him a text/twit supporting him prior to the game. This will inspire his play to levels unseen before and he'll be instrumental on our victory over ND. The Cavaliers, unfortunately are on the road through Friday, but Lebron will be back in time to watch our Elite 8 game against Kentucky to cheer DC on in person and inspire not only him, but all the Shox to the FF.

I'm also pondering what I will do with my Mega Millions lottery winnings too.

[BTBJordan]

Marshall had no problem running with IU, do we think he does the same thing in this one? Another exciting up and down game?

[Cdizzle]

I find it interesting that ND's vaunted offense has scored 124 points in their first two regulations of the tournament, against #14 and #6 seeds. WSU's plodding offense has scored 159 points in their first two regulations of the tournament, against #10 and #2 seeds.

In fact, in the last 3 years, WSU is averageing 74.3 ppg in the tourney. The offense tends to run much smoother not in the Valley.

[OregonShocker]

In fact, in the last 3 years, WSU is averageing 74.3 ppg in the tourney. The offense tends to run much smoother not in the Valley.

Agree; when you face schools unfamiliar with your sets, you can take advantage.

[Dan]

WSU gets the rap of being a slow, plodding, deliberate offense. Much of this has to do with our conference bretheren, most of whom play slow and try to beat us by slowing the game down. It skews our averages for the season. I'd bet if Marshall had his way, we'd play a faster pace and what we're seeing in the tournament is more indicative of our style. Other teams make the mistake of thinking they can beat us by speeding us up. I'm fine with that.

[The Mad Hatter]

Marshall had no problem running with IU, do we think he does the same thing in this one? Another exciting up and down game?

Notre Dame doesn't run. They may be like Indiana is running a 4 guard offense and being far better on offense than defense, but they are #220 in tempo.

[KC Shox]

Have been reading their boards, watching videos and this 'cat' Jackson, reminds me of TC, dude can jump out of the gym - here dunking on a 7 footer. They like to dribble drive, which opens a lot of their offense. Kick outs for three, isolation which they can beat with their athleticism or gets the other team in foul trouble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_v4lzCEqQU

In other videos I've watched, and as you can see in this video, you have three guys outside the 3 line and one guy hanging close to it with their big man down low. Jackson, who is their quickest guy and I'm not sure who we use to guard him with, sees the opening and explodes. You're damned if you do guard the three line, you're damned if you don't. In this video, the line is guarded, enough space is created for their athletic Jackson to do what he does.

They either want to spread you out so they can drive it to create the foul, have an easy lay-up/dunk or kick out for a wide open three. Being so quick and athletic causes our defenders to honor that speed which inherently will cause us to be a step or two late to getting where we need to be for help defense or to get into a passing lane. A faster more athletic version of Northern Iowa?

[another shocker]

shocks need their best game of the year for this one. no exceptions. quick rotations.. help side UNDER THE BASKET.. quick trigger- let the 3 fly freely

[Steeleshocker]

Have been reading their boards, watching videos and this 'cat' Jackson, reminds me of TC, dude can jump out of the gym - here dunking on a 7 footer. They like to dribble drive, which opens a lot of their offense. Kick outs for three, isolation which they can beat with their athleticism or gets the other team in foul trouble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_v4lzCEqQU

In other videos I've watched, and as you can see in this video, you have three guys outside the 3 line and one guy hanging close to it with their big man down low. Jackson, who is their quickest guy and I'm not sure who we use to guard him with, sees the opening and explodes. You're damned if you do guard the three line, you're damned if you don't. In this video, the line is guarded, enough space is created for their athletic Jackson to do what he does.

They either want to spread you out so they can drive it to create the foul, have an easy lay-up/dunk or kick out for a wide open three. Being so quick and athletic causes our defenders to honor that speed which inherently will cause us to be a step or two late to getting where we need to be for help defense or to get into a passing lane. A faster more athletic version of Northern Iowa?

They are more athletic, but Auguste is not as skilled as Tuttle, so you dont have to worry about him for the pick and pop, ball handling, and distributing the way UNI could. ND definitely has a more perimeter oriented attack.

[another shocker]

They are more athletic, but Auguste is not as skilled as Tuttle, so you dont have to worry about him for the pick and pop, ball handling, and distributing the way UNI could. ND definitely has a more perimeter oriented attack.

but auguste is still a load. shocker bench will need to contribute.

[Steeleshocker]

but auguste is still a load. shocker bench will need to contribute.

No doubt, just commenting that they don't operate through the post the way UNI does.

[CBB_Fan]

One thing Marshall does very well is adapting. Adaptation is key in the NCAA tournament. If a team tries to play us slow, he beats them playing slow. If they speed us up, we beat them playing fast. I think in general we are a little better in up-tempo games though, which is why every team in the Valley tries to slow the game down against us and keep things in the halfcourt as much as possible. Teams like Detroit have tried to speed us up with pretty bad results. I don't think we'll push ND to play fast, but instead Marshall probably wants to try a few things to get ND out of their comfort zone.

[ND2010]

The zone worked earlier in the season against us in some games (@Duke loss, home Syracuse loss, 2nd half of Miami in ACC tourney win, and we were more successful against Duke in the semis the next time they tried it). Maybe that's something you'll see Marshall employ for short bits. What is your normal defensive set?

[The Mad Hatter]

The zone worked earlier in the season against us in some games (@Duke loss, home Syracuse loss, 2nd half of Miami in ACC tourney win, and we were more successful against Duke in the semis the next time they tried it). Maybe that's something you'll see Marshall employ for short bits. What is your normal defensive set?

We may play zone on occasion, but we are pretty much a man to man defensive team. One thing you will see a lot out of us is the high hedge by the big man to prevent guard drives off of screening action.