WSU versus USC Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[lemuel777]

Going into the tornament the team will step it up without Fred. When the coach was subbing so much it is hard for any team to get the offense going. We will, will this win through. Win 85-64

[asiseeit]

I think there was only a couple others that predicted a Tulsa loss. I not only predicted it but
stated our freshmen ( not LS ) were over hyped. I was ridiculed by one poster and told I was
"full of it" by another. Most everyone else was silent. Now that we lost to Tulsa and played
poorly against ESU just about everyone else now sees the same thing and are showing concern.
I'd like to again address the freshmen. I expect they will be slow in the learning curve
offensively BUT there is no reason they can't bust their tails on D and I haven't even see that.
I see this as a key for the entire team. The last five chairs at the end of the bench should be
for players with the lowest energy level on defense. So far, I have been disappointed in the
sophs in every regard but especially defense and rebounding. Enough negativity for now.
I hope the guys come out hungry. Apply your physical talents with some energy on defense
and let the offense come to you. Force TO's and attack the basket. Do this and we will win.
Continue the lackluster effort on D and rebounding and we will lose........simple as that.

[shoxlax]

I think there was only a couple others that predicted a Tulsa loss. I not only predicted it but
stated our freshmen ( not LS ) were over hyped. I was ridiculed by one poster and told I was
"full of it" by another. Most everyone else was silent. Now that we lost to Tulsa and played
poorly against ESU just about everyone else now sees the same thing and are showing concern.
I'd like to again address the freshmen. I expect they will be slow in the learning curve
offensively BUT there is no reason they can't bust their tails on D and I haven't even see that.
I see this as a key for the entire team. The last five chairs at the end of the bench should be
for players with the lowest energy level on defense. So far, I have been disappointed in the
sophs in every regard but especially defense and rebounding. Enough negativity for now.
I hope the guys come out hungry. Apply your physical talents with some energy on defense
and let the offense come to you. Force TO's and attack the basket. Do this and we will win.
Continue the lackluster effort on D and rebounding and we will lose........simple as that.

Great post. I would say I think Rashard has played pretty close to my expectations but the rest you nailed.

[Aargh]

Expecting a Fr to play PG in November is unreasonable. The only backup PG on the roster is Baker. How's that for a plan? Let's take an AA SG and use him as our PG.

I haven't seen Wessel drive from the corner to the basket like Hatch did when he played SF. Brown has struggled with every minute on the court. McDuffie is a Fr in November.

We're missing the guy who makes everybody else on the floor look better. When everybody else on the floor doesn't look better, we don't look like a top-25 team. When we have to use a SG as our PG, then there's a deficiency (compared to expectations of fans and voters in the polls) at both guard positions on a team expected to have an AA at both guard positions.

Our opponents game plan to stop Baker. When Baker is playing PG and opponents can cheat off of Kelly and Wessel, that's pretty easy to do.

[im4wsu]

Expecting a Fr to play PG in November is unreasonable. The only backup PG on the roster is Baker. How's that for a plan? Let's take an AA SG and use him as our PG.

I haven't seen Wessel drive from the corner to the basket like Hatch did when he played SF. Brown has struggled with every minute on the court. McDuffie is a Fr in November.

We're missing the guy who makes everybody else on the floor look better. When everybody else on the floor doesn't look better, we don't look like a top-25 team. When we have to use a SG as our PG, then there's a deficiency at both guard positions on a team expected to have an AA at both guard positions.

Our opponents game plan to stop Baker. When Baker is playing PG and opponents can cheat off of Kelly and Wessel, that's pretty easy to do.

I was just thinking that is how Wessel could add to his contributions to the team. One, be ready to shoot when he receives the pass. If the pass is not caught in shooting ppsition, fake and drive for a baseline pull-up jumper, a pass to Grady or Kelly, or continue to drive and make contact. He has the handles to do that and is a good padser. He just needs to anticipate and look for offense.

[ShockerPrez]

This game is a tough one, but if the Shox can find a way to pull out a victory, it could be the springboard we need to get back in the saddle.

[another shocker]

This game is a tough one, but if the Shox can find a way to pull out a victory, it could be the springboard we need to get back in the saddle.

if the shockers can somehow win (last two games don't show that happening), it would most likely be a springboard to xavier. ouch...

[kcshocker11]

WSU 78
USC 71

[SB Shock]

Where is this quote?

If Fred is out for USC then I hope he sits and enjoys the weather all weekend in Florida.

sullentrop says

Nobody is sure when Van Vleet, sidelined by a left strained hamstring, will return. They sound as if they are preparing to play without him at the Advocare Invitation in Orlando, FLa, at least in Thursday's opener against Southern-Cal.

Sullentrop then quoted Gregg as saying

He's shut down for awhile"

[SB Shock]

Not expecting a positive outcome on Thursday, considering all of the factors against us.

Feves, VI

So are you predicting a WSU loss?

[ShockerFever]

So are you predicting a WSU loss?

I dunno. Am I?

Whatever happens, I'm not predicting that we need the autobid to get into the dance.

Are you gonna start another meltdown thread like last year if we lose?

[SB Shock]

I dunno. Am I?

Sounds like it, but wanted to make sure I'm interpreting your post correctly.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

sullentrop says

Sullentrop then quoted Gregg as saying

So... Where is the quote that indicates he is "definitely out"

[pinstripers]

We lose with a half-speed Fred.

[SB Shock]

So... Where is the quote that indicates he is "definitely out"

Maybe that will come tomorrow during the coaches show.