WSU Versus Emporia State--Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[pie n eye]

Let me preface this by saying I could be totally wrong about this...but when I read the comments about CF I get the feeling that people are underestimating his game. Of course, the opposite might also be true. I think the prevailing wisdom with him is that all he can do is shoot. While it's true that he is a great shooter he's a much more well rounded player than that. Beside his shooting we really needed his ability as a creator who takes care of the ball and understands the system, especially with Fred's injury. Baker essentially couldn't come out of the game because we had no one else we could trust to run the show. No offense at all to TT, you just can't expect him to step in as a freshman and be the steadying presence we need to spell Fred.

I'm absolutely dumbfounded that anyone is knocking Shamet right now. He is the real deal and better than I ever expected. Based on shocker madness and the three games so far I don't think it's that crazy to say he's been our 4th best player behind Baker, Grady, and FVV (only slowed by the injury). Just look at his minutes played and you get the idea that the coaches feel the same way. I'm sorry, but trying to knock him calling him "5 fouls in 10 minutes" (at least 2 of those were BS, imo) just makes you look ignorant.

[asiseeit]

to clarify again( for some ) what I said was that LS was our second best player right
now. I qualified that by saying with a healthy FVV that would NOT be the case he would
slide to third. I do believe that AG has greater VALUE to the team because he is
giving us a good post presence. Since he and LS play totally different positions it is
difficult to compare them talent wise so everyone can be their own judge. I stand by
other statements I made a couple disagree with. SM has not played to his potential.
I think MM will emerge and he is needed. I think TT and EH were liabilities at Tulsa and
GM quickly noticed it and pulled them. And, although I respect and support RN's
decision I believe he would have been able to help THIS years team.

[WSUwatcher]

Tulsa may be losing their chance at an NCAA at large today

Gee, in how many ways was that call premature? Well, for one, it was wildly speculative about what will happen the rest of the season. And for another, Tulsa didn't even lose -- they came from way behind to beat Ohio after all.

Patience, grasshopper -- if you have a post of great importance, it can wait until the relevant result is in.

Edit: And, SB -- wasn't the limit eight in 2012-13? Or were you with Jerry Palm in thinking WSU was actually a bubble team that year? Also, just as a reminder, they lost SIX in the Valley that year, plus another in St. Louis. Anyone want to lay odds on that repeating?

[XManCometh]

90-40 win.

I mean, KSU beat these guys by nearly 40 points and KSU is AWWWWWWWFUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

Even without FVV we should run these guys out of the gym by the 10 minute mark of the 1st half.

[SB Shock]

Edit: And, SB -- wasn't the limit eight in 2012-13? Or were you with Jerry Palm in thinking WSU was actually a bubble team that year? Also, just as a reminder, they lost SIX in the Valley that year, plus another in St. Louis. Anyone want to lay odds on that repeating?

2012-13 - MVC was 8th ranked conference. If the MVC is as highly rated this year as they were in 2012-13, then there will be more margin for error because there will be some quality wins in league play. But does anybody really think the MVC is going be better this year than last?

[ShockerFever]

2012-13 - MVC was 8th ranked conference. If the MVC is as highly rated this year as they were in 2012-13, then there will be more margin for error because there will be some quality wins in league play. But does anybody really think the MVC is going be better this year than last?

WSU will be in the tourney regardless of whether the Valley is rated 8th or 18th. See Gonzaga.

[_kai_]

http://shockerhoops.net/index.php/2015/11/20/emporia-state-visits-koch-arena/

[ShockTalk]

WSU will be in the tourney regardless of whether the Valley is rated 8th or 18th. See Gonzaga.

I'm not sure I totally understand your comparison, Fev. The Zags road to winning the WCC will be tougher than the MVC. Gonzaga has at least six P5 schools, Washington, Washington St, UCLA, Arizona, Tennessee and aTm or Texas and possibly one more, SMU, BYU (2), and St. Marys (2) who's picked by the conference ahead of BYU. Washington St is the only non top 100 team in that bunch which still leaves 10 or 11 quality opponents.

WSU has a limited numbers of games to "prove" themselves. Utah, USC (and hopefully 2 more quality teams), UNLV, Tulsa (already a loss), and Seton Hall (who probably compares to Wash St). While BYU and St. Mary's may both be top 50, we can only hope EU and UNI make the top 100. That's only 5 or 6 quality opponents and we're already 0-1. Our room for error is smaller. We need to go 3-1 or 3-2 in those remaining quality games or it may come down to winning the MVC tourney. Frankly, we may have gotten the benefit of a doubt had FVV not played and we lost to Tulsa. Hobbled or not, FVV played 30 minutes and scored 11 points.

[Shocker-maniac]

Just finished my "Emporia is NOT a State" sign. Maybe we can start a chant during the game?

[ShockerFever]

I'm not sure I totally understand your comparison, Fev. The Zags road to winning the WCC will be tougher than the MVC. Gonzaga has at least six P5 schools, Washington, Washington St, UCLA, Arizona, Tennessee and aTm or Texas and possibly one more, SMU, BYU (2), and St. Marys (2) who's picked by the conference ahead of BYU. Washington St is the only non top 100 team in that bunch which still leaves 10 or 11 quality opponents.

WSU has a limited numbers of games to "prove" themselves. Utah, USC (and hopefully 2 more quality teams), UNLV, Tulsa (already a loss), and Seton Hall (who probably compares to Wash St). While BYU and St. Mary's may both be top 50, we can only hope EU and UNI make the top 100. That's only 5 or 6 quality opponents and we're already 0-1. Our room for error is smaller. We need to go 3-1 or 3-2 in those remaining quality games or it may come down to winning the MVC tourney. Frankly, we may have gotten the benefit of a doubt had FVV not played and we lost to Tulsa. Hobbled or not, FVV played 30 minutes and scored 11 points.

All I'm saying is that we have name power now. We might not have the better resume or get a better seed, but we're getting into the tournament, barring something unforeseen happening, like 15 losses or something like that.

I said what I did in response to SB, who thinks our at-large chances are razor-thin after 1 game and now we're gonna be treading water just to save an at-large.

[ShockerFever]

Just finished my "Emporia is NOT a State" sign. Maybe we can start a chant during the game?

Classic.

[pinstripers]

IT'S GAMEDAY B!TCHES !!!!!!!!!!

[forevershockerfan]

No FVV today. Good. We want him healthy to help us lead the charge starting soon, very soon. Today is a opportune chance for younger players to establish their presence in the rotation. Our Freshmen will be indeed as good as advertised and will prove it as the games give them the minutes to establish their roles. 3G gives our players plenty of chances to play and prove what they can do.

[Shox21]

I think the emphasis will be on a "team" taking the floor rather than just individuals doing whatever. All the other major teams that suffered an "upset" or loss these past few days have been given the excuse that "it's early in the season", "they need more seasoning but will be alright come March", "they have X number of first year players so give them time". In our case, nary a whisper have I heard. Time will tell but we will get better, but if it doesn't happen sooner rather than later, the team will not have the season they envisioned. It's up to them, but I will be cheering for them all the way.

[WuDrWu]

I have tickets. Contact me ASAP