WSU versus USC Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[Blackmag]

This is a winnable game, even without Fred. Brown, Morris, need to pick up there game and who knows maybe this weekend will be the time they do. I really think thats part of our problem they just haven't really played like we know there capable of. As for the point guard situation Taylor will have to give us some good minutes playing three games in four days Ron is going to need a hand and I think Taylor is more than capable, if he just stays under control, he has a good offensive game. Shamet will only get better and more confident the more he plays, he has the tools to be great. Bush, well I guess we will get what we can from him, I don't expect much but I always hope for the best. Kelly, I feel has been pretty solid, not great but solid and I think he always gives us 100% and will continue to give us more offense as the season goes. He always seems to shoot a decent %. But Brown and Morris are the key, they need to produce for us to have a succesful turkey weekend. Shocks 72 Trojuns 68.

[molly jabali]

I just have a weird feeling that THIS is the game the Shocks break loose in....79-70 win.

[SirShoxAlot]

Are we 2001 WSU or 2016 WSU? Some of you need to get a grip on where the program is at. I feel like most of this board would consider beating USC an upset.

T-shirt fans…

[SirShoxAlot]

After we go 0'fer in Orlando, we'll fall below .500, drop from the rankings, have to listen to KU and KSU fans make fun of us, and we'll all be scratching our head. We'll make the tourney as an at-large and be given an 11 seed. I'm just going to keep telling myself that all these young players are gaining valuable D1 experience and the future looks bright.

Had to wipe the puke off my screen to read the second sentence of this post

[SirShoxAlot]

I'm predicting a final record of 16-18 and barely escape having to play a Thursday night in St. Louis. I think we'll have a pretty good shot in the CIT. Maybe third round if we play well.

[SirShoxAlot]

Ron shoots a season average 21% from the field, Fred averages 6.4 turnovers after returning in mid-February. Shamet regresses tremendously and McDuffie doesn't gain a single pound. Missouri State wins the conference. Marshall leaves for Texas Tech.

[WillieJeffJeffries]

I'm predicting a final record of 16-18 and barely escape having to play a Thursday night in St. Louis. I think we'll have a pretty good shot in the CIT. Maybe third round if we play well.

That's "pie n the sky" no way this team wins 16 games...

[shockerfan]

Ron shoots a season average 21% from the field, Fred averages 6.4 turnovers after returning in mid-February. Shamet regresses tremendously and McDuffie doesn't gain a single pound. Missouri State wins the conference. Marshall leaves for Texas Tech.

Chill out lol. No one is packing it in. Most people on this board have been here for a long time, hardly t-shirt fans.

That said, there are concerns. While all of us will root our hearts out for the Shockers, we arent blinded by the yellow tinted glasses. Is USC beatable without Fred? Absolutely. However, with the small sample size of games this year it is hard to predict how this team will play. If we play like we did against Tulsa, we get blasted. If the bench steps up, especially Brown, Morris, Wamukota, then the Shockers have a great chance. Hopefully the bench steps up! GO SHOX!

[molly jabali]

Maybe I missed it...what is a 'tee shirt fan'?

[shockerfan]

Maybe I missed it...what is a 'tee shirt fan'?

Bandwagon fan.

T-shirt fan = KU fans ;)

[shockmonster]

I'm concerned. Not for the long term but for the short term. Our Freshmen will all be very good but from game to game, they can't be expected to be consistent. They will have one good game and then two bad games. Wessel and Bush have to play within themselves and enhance their strengths buttheir ceilings are limited. But the two who I expected to step their game and if anything have taken a step back since last year are Shaq and Zach and it isn't our coaches fault. The accountability has to be at their doorstep. They need to step up their games.

[shoxlax]

After we go 0'fer in Orlando, we'll fall below .500, drop from the rankings, have to listen to KU and KSU fans make fun of us, and we'll all be scratching our head. We'll make the tourney as an at-large and be given an 11 seed. I'm just going to keep telling myself that all these young players are gaining valuable D1 experience and the future looks bright.

You may very well be right and......we will all still hate you.

[Play Angry]

I'm about as far it gets from a sandbagger w/r/t expectations. Factoring in a hobbled and possibly absent FVV, I would be thrilled with accomplishing (i) an opening round victory over USC, and (ii) splitting the following two games in the winner's bracket. A championship would be truly remarkable.

We are going to be an awesome team this year and I think the minutes earned by the bench this weekend will pay big dividends as the season progresses. However, potentially playing three top 50 teams in four days on a neutral court is no joke and will serve as a true baptism by fire for our young back court.

I am glad that the opener is against a good team that likes to push the tempo but generally takes a matador approach on D instead of a HAVOC-esque matchup which could rattle an inexperienced guard more quickly. Should be a fun game to watch.

[Ta Town Shocker]

You may very well be right and......we will all still hate you.

I can't imagine a scenario in which WSU goes 0-3. This would mean losing to USC, Alabama, and Iowa/Monmouth. Alabama was destroyed by Dayton and Iowa lost an exhibition game.

[pinstripers]

Good point. We could go 0-3 vs the winner's bracket, but once we fall out of the winner's bracket, the opponents get decidedly weaker.