WSU versus USC Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[bpwsu86]

Can you explain that one to me? What channel are you watching it on?

If you have the at&t uverse mobile app go into the guide then down to espn2 at 606, it is the next "channel" and says espn3 tap for more games, I live in wichita and have not been blacked out yet

[Aargh]

Ron Baker, Taylor, Brown, Kelly, Grady. That is my starting five. Makes us athletic enough to compete on will power alone. Taylor is a natural two anyhow.

I don't know if putting Taylor at the 2 is possible. He's been used as a PG up until now, so he may know the plays and sets better from PG than from SG.

Simon knows the plays and sets. Baker is best when playing SG. I wouldn't be surprised to see Simon get the start. It's going to be a tough call. Taylor coming off the bench for some points out of the PG spot isn't a bad plan.

Baker is the best available PG, but would the team be better with Baker at his normal position and Simon, who knows the plays, running point?

I can see Simon and Taylor splitting time at PG. Baker and Brown splitting time at SG. Wessel/Brown/McDuffie at SF. That lineup would just sub in a walkon and a Fr for one of the AA's, but everything else would be what was expected.

[Aargh]

There's always a lot of speculation about possible lineups during the offseason. Some of the speculation was about going tall. Here's a lineup that could actually see the court.

PG - Baker
SG - Brown
SF - McDuffie
PF - Kelly
C - Wamukota

That's a little far-fetched, but it could actually happen during the tourney. The biggest stretch is putting Brown at SG, but that's an adjustment that may need to happen. I don't know if having Brown, McDuffie, and Wamukota on the floor at the same time is likely

[WuDrWu]

USC warmed up again last night by pasting Cal State Northridge 96-61. They are averaging 92 a game (admittedly they haven't seen strong competition) and it's clear Andy has them turned in the right direction.

IMHO, they're better than Tulsa...a lot better.

[WillieJeffJeffries]

USC warmed up again last night by pasting Cal State Northridge 96-61. They are averaging 92 a game (admittedly they haven't seen strong competition) and it's clear Andy has them turned in the right direction.

IMHO, they're better than Tulsa...a lot better.

Yes, I agree and they are not beating Empo St by 20 at home. This could be a long holiday weekend in Fla.

[_kai_]

This is as good a time as ever to just come out and punch a team right in the mouth, make a statement win, and get on track with the season.

[ShoxRoxMySox]

Yes, I agree and they are not beating Empo St by 20 at home. This could be a long holiday weekend in Fla.

It's going to be a tough weekend, I agree... But framing it as a 20 point win at home doesn't do it justice in the grand scheme. What'd ESU score by half, 13? We made them look like a rec team in the first half before opening up the bench and testing things out.

[Stickboy46]

On the positive note, it may be hard for usc to prep for this game since most of our players that Will be playing haven't seen the court that much.

The gameplan this weekend for ever team we play will be "Stop Ron Baker". Its up to the rest of team to prove that isn't a good game plan

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

A little adversity may be the best thing that could have ever happened to an extremely talented and deep team needing sophomores to step up and needing freshmen to contribute. We'll see what we're made of by the end of the weekend, that's for sure.

I still think that in the long run, we may see this as a blessing in disguise.

[Kung Wu]

JRS just needs to slow down a touch on offense and let the game come to him. He's a bit frantic and trying to force stuff on the offensive end. If he'll just relax a touch, he will be a very serviceable point guard. Tyler just needs to learn the right physical speed of the NCAA D1 game, and then get his tactical speed caught up (and learn to trust Coach's system).

I guess one needs to slow down tactically, while the other needs to speed up tactically. They both need to slow down (just a touch) on offense physically.

[shocka khan]

I have always been a fan of JRS and have always said that there may become a time where he is valuable to the team (and been laughed at for it). Laugh no more.

Kung, I completely agree with you, when I saw JRS against Charleston, he was a little hurried. Having said that, there were times last year when he was in during critical times and did a great job filling in for Fred.

I think he'll be OK. I think the entire team is a bit twitchy over losing Fred and this may be the cause for the suboptimal performance we're seeing right now. Now that he knows his number will be called, that he has to be ready and he's not practicing with the scout team, I'm betting he'll be more than capable for the USC game, as I understand that USC's guards are not known for their quickness.

If we run into a team with the height and athleticism of say, a Tulsa, then it may be a totally different deal.

If we can get 10 or 15 minutes out of JRS with 3 or less turnovers and he gets a couple of assists, we should be more than OK. I'm thinking 90 percent of the time we can get that.

[shockmonster]

Im not concerned with JR's ball handling. Zach Brown does concern me. I hope it works out and Zach shows me I don't need to worry.

[wufan]

Baker, Brown, and Wessel to start in the backcourt. Ty and Markis to back them up. JR and ZBush as needed.

Front court is healthy.

[ShockdaWorld]

There's always a lot of speculation about possible lineups during the offseason. Some of the speculation was about going tall. Here's a lineup that could actually see the court.

PG - Baker
SG - Brown
SF - McDuffie
PF - Kelly
C - Wamukota

That's a little far-fetched, but it could actually happen during the tourney. The biggest stretch is putting Brown at SG, but that's an adjustment that may need to happen. I don't know if having Brown, McDuffie, and Wamukota on the floor at the same time is likely

I like this idea for a few minutes at a time, specially if someone is having their way in the paint against us. If we wanted to go a little taller and bring a little more offensive fire power, we could slide Grady into the 4 spot.

[Kung Wu]

Honestly this is a time for Baker to become selfish. VERY selfish.