Offseason Thread: 2015 Edition

[Play Angry]

I actually think Loyola should be a little better than that. They are a little under the radar. They have been on an uphill battle, but last year finished very well for them, and there is reason for hope. I'd love to see them crack the top 100.

Agreed. They finished 87 in last year's RPI after winning the CBI - if Doyle stays healthy, they should have another nice season.

It would be nice if Porter could surround him with some better pieces though (specifically, a few serviceable big men).

[Play Angry]

So we'll see Loyola, ISUR, UE and UNI (no chance of SIU, BU, DU, MSU or ISUB) before our beloved Shocks make their appearance somewhere around November 10 I'd imagine?

Isn't it amazing that we know for a fact that we'll be preseason top 10 in everything published between now and November 13, with a legitimate case for being slotted top 5?

Still blows my mind and I hope we never take it for granted.

[Dave Stalwart]

Agreed. They finished 87 in last year's RPI after winning the CBI - if Doyle stays healthy, they should have another nice season.

It would be nice if Porter could surround him with some better pieces though (specifically, a few serviceable big men).

Well, if WSU would stop stealing all their players...

[wufan]

Well, if WSU would stop stealing all their players...

I think lane decommitted because Porter told him he was slated as the starting 5 man.

[RoyalShock]

Newcomers ready to compete

[Cdizzle]

Newcomers ready to compete

“They seem to know how we compete,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “That hasn’t been an issue at all. There were times last year when we had to teach certain guys how to compete. We haven’t had to do that with this group.”
That doesn't sound like much at first glance, but that seems like pretty high praise from Marshall for a squad in July.

[ShockerPrez]

“They seem to know how we compete,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “That hasn’t been an issue at all. There were times last year when we had to teach certain guys how to compete. We haven’t had to do that with this group.”
That doesn't sound like much at first glance, but that seems like pretty high praise from Marshall for a squad in July.

Yep. We need young firepissers from the start. Marshall can mold them and point them in the right direction. But you cant teach willpower and determination.

Key components for MTXE mindsets.

[ArtVandalay]

Yep. We need young firepissers from the start. Marshall can mold them and point them in the right direction. But you cant teach willpower and determination.

Key components for MTXE mindsets.

Marshall and his style fits the MTXE mantra so well. I really wish we would bring back the MTXE uniforms and court logo (looked so sweet the one time we did that last year) full time. I do realize, however, this is not likely to happen given this was a creation from a different era by a different staff and players and the newer mantra is "Play Angry".

[wufan]

Seems like great news!

[ShockerPhi]

“They seem to know how we compete,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “That hasn’t been an issue at all. There were times last year when we had to teach certain guys how to compete. We haven’t had to do that with this group.”
That doesn't sound like much at first glance, but that seems like pretty high praise from Marshall for a squad in July.

I got to talk with Marshall briefly around this same time last year and I brought up the newcomers and how excited I was for them. And he replied, "Yeah, well they need a LOT of coaching right now. They have a lot to learn..."

I think with this in mind, we can maybe expect the new guys this year to develop much quicker. And if that's the case, look out!

[ShockerHoops]

I placed a lunch bet with a guy at work that the Shocks will remain in the Top 10 ESPN/USA Today poll rankings for the entire regular season. What do you think...bad bet?

[Heinro]

I placed a lunch bet with a guy at work that the Shocks will remain in the Top 10 ESPN/USA Today poll rankings for the entire regular season. What do you think...bad bet?

Considering that we will enter the season top 10 and likely be 33-0 entering the NCAA tournament, no. Even if we were to drop 1-2, which I would consider worse case scenario, baring some really horrible events, we would remain top 10. Biggest risk would be a loss in Orlando, as it will be early in the season, but if you survive that it would be easy sailing I think.

[1972Shocker]

Pretty encouraging report on Rashard Kelly:

Kelly put his offseason to good use improving those deficiencies and coach Gregg Marshall considers him possibly WSU’s most improved player. He is stronger, quicker and more of an offensive threat after summer practices wrapped up last week.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[Cdizzle]

Prettfy encouraging report on Rashard Kelly:



Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

Now here's a guy with some pretty exciting potential that I think has gone pretty much unmentioned in the last 6 months.

To see Marshall throw a little praise his way mid-summer is a great sign. To see another young player get a little Play Angry in them before these seniors graduate is a really great sign.

[ShockdaWorld]

Prettfy encouraging report on Rashard Kelly:



Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

I thought last year that RK had big upside. I'm also extremely encouraged to hear that Shaq was running ramps with him.