Offseason Thread: 2015 Edition

[The Mad Hatter]

I have absolutely zero idea of what Arkansas has this year. Are they supposed to be any good?

Actually, Arkansas could be really shaky this year.

They lost Bobby Portis (17.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and Michael Qualls (15.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg) to the NBA who were the top 2 in both scoring and rebounding.

They lost Rashard Madden (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.6 apg) and Alandise Harris (7.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) to graduation. Madden was #3 in scoring and rebounding and #1 is assists. Harris was #5 in scoring and #4 in rebounding.

Those four represented 65% of the team's scoring and 59% of its rebounding, which is a big loss. But that wasn't the really bad news.

Anton Beard (5.7 ppg, 16 starts), Jacorey Williams (4.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 7 starts), and Dustin Thomas (Colorado transfer who would be sitting out this year anyway) were suspended indefinitely on first degree forgery charges.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13303707/arkansas-razorbacks-anton-beard-jacorey-williams-dustin-thomas-suspended-indefinitely-arrest-forgery-charges

As it stands, the current Arkansas roster on their website (which hasn't added newcomers) lists 4 players currently.

[pogo]

I read the link and scrolled down for other articles much to my angst. At the bottom was a picture of BS and JC. I now have to shower because it left me feeling slimy and unclean.

[WSUwatcher]

Actually, Arkansas could be really shaky this year.

They lost Bobby Portis (17.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and Michael Qualls (15.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg) to the NBA who were the top 2 in both scoring and rebounding.

They lost Rashard Madden (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.6 apg) and Alandise Harris (7.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) to graduation. Madden was #3 in scoring and rebounding and #1 is assists. Harris was #5 in scoring and #4 in rebounding.

Those four represented 65% of the team's scoring and 59% of its rebounding, which is a big loss. But that wasn't the really bad news.

Anton Beard (5.7 ppg, 16 starts), Jacorey Williams (4.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 7 starts), and Dustin Thomas (Colorado transfer who would be sitting out this year anyway) were suspended indefinitely on first degree forgery charges.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13303707/arkansas-razorbacks-anton-beard-jacorey-williams-dustin-thomas-suspended-indefinitely-arrest-forgery-charges

As it stands, the current Arkansas roster on their website (which hasn't added newcomers) lists 4 players currently.

Well, okay -- if Arkansas has to play four-on-five, I'll give Evansville a chance. But I'm hesitant even then.

[Play Angry]

Just locked in travel plans for the Tulsa road game....love me some trips back in time to sit in a 60% full arena with a crowd that is almost exclusively 65+ years old.

Main difference is that our winning percentage in the early nineties was about .350, whereas Tulsa has sported a top 50-75 team the last few years. Sad times for them as it seems like interest from their fanbase may have irreversibly dwindled.

Should be a fun game though.

[Shoxfan11]

Probably doesn't deserve its own topic but I just saw the Tennessee game from 06 is on YouTube as of a couple months ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PefkQHDYxyc

If you're struggling to get through this offseason like me, this definitely deserves a watch :)

A lot of things I've forgotten about this game. 9 minutes into the video and John Higgins is already getting booed. Some things never change.

[ShockerPhi]

Couisnard's shot with a minute to go was so filthy.

[forevershockerfan]

Here's the deal. This really looks to be another special Season with the trifecta of 3G, FVV, and Baker all returning. Great things happen in Shocker basketball when these 3 lead us. We had some tense moments awaiting their "Valley of Decision" and are very grateful they are all here, willing, and able to lead us. Next, we have quality Senior leadership who have 'been there and done that' and will do so again. What quality depth we have and quite a boost in athletes, shooters, and talent. We are road warriors and will have to be to handle our tough Non-Con games.

We rarely lose a game at home but to go where we want this Season, we have to break our foes hearts and their will elsewhere too. FSF once approached an elevator and everybody already waiting was going up except me of course. I no more pushed the 'down button' and heard the 'ding' and the error pointing down toward my current destination. I could feel several stone cold hard stares that was similar to what you might encounter during rush hour at Grand Central Station. Likewise, years ago we silenced 20,000 plus Cuse fans at the Dome, won the game with National tube coverage, was awarded no more return games, and laughed all the way to the bank. Our foes may not like us or even appreciate our great results, but our success demands the respect of other Programs and it was not always that way. On my way down on the elevator which cramped the time-management of others, I was smirking while also understanding I had a little break along the way and am not the elevator police. Later I came back up the elevator and here I am 20 years later writing about it. As the Shockers expectations are moving up, history teaches us the Marshall Law will be in effect and our history lessons prove will will be successful. His plan has proven to keep working, plans for and expects the unexpected, and like a Timex--just keeps on ticking. With a few breaks along the way in the close ones, wow!!!

Our Program took several steps down many moons ago but now continues on a upward winning spiral. Our foes are already telling me we will be okay as long as we have FVV and Baker. We are better than okay with them and the Marshall Plan will take care of itself in the future. For now, we can embellish the fun, hoping we get a few breaks along the way, and enjoy the satisfaction and respect that winning continues to bring.

[WuShock16]

Couisnard's shot with a minute to go was so filthy.

When Fred hit the 3 against Gonzaga, I had a flashback to PJ's 3 against Tennessee, as I believe that both shots extended the lead to 5 with a bit more than a minute to go. At both of those times, my exact thought was "HOLY CRAP! WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS!" Okay, maybe not EXACT as some other celebratory expletives may have been included, but that was the gist anyway.

[Shoxfan11]

When Fred hit the 3 against Gonzaga, I had a flashback to PJ's 3 against Tennessee, as I believe that both shots extended the lead to 5 with a bit more than a minute to go. At both of those times, my exact thought was "HOLY CRAP! WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS!" Okay, maybe not EXACT as some other celebratory expletives may have been included, but that was the gist anyway.

Not only just a lead of five, both shots extended the score to exactly 70-65. Coincidence or destiny?

[wu_shizzle]

Not only just a lead of five, both shots extended the score to exactly 70-65. Coincidence or destiny?

70 seems to be our magic number.

[_kai_]

When Fred hit the 3 against Gonzaga, I had a flashback to PJ's 3 against Tennessee, as I believe that both shots extended the lead to 5 with a bit more than a minute to go. At both of those times, my exact thought was "HOLY CRAP! WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS!" Okay, maybe not EXACT as some other celebratory expletives may have been included, but that was the gist anyway.

Ron's performance late in that Gonzaga game is stuff of legend. Fred's single 3 pointer is even more legendary. Didn't he wink at coach after he hit it?

[WSUwatcher]

70 seems to be our magic number.

And 65 is a good number for opponents, especially (although not only) from The Flagship. I'll bet if you guaranteed Marshall that WSU could potentially play six games in the NCAA tournament this year, and that the opponents would score exactly 65 each time, he'd take it.

[ShockerPrez]

Ron's performance late in that Gonzaga game is stuff of legend. Fred's single 3 pointer is even more legendary. Didn't he wink at coach after he hit it?

Fred's late heroics against Ohio State was legendary as well.

[shockmonster]

Fred's late heroics against Ohio State was legendary as well.

Tekele hit a huge shot too.

[wu_shizzle]

Fred is legendary as well.

Fixed.