Official Drake Game Thread

[vancedave56]

IMO Ron is just being a team player - him and Fred want everyone to be involved, because we will improve more as a team if they are. When we "need" a bucket, Ron will be more than willing as will Fred.

[Shockeriffic]

Ah, sounded like a boo from where I was. Makes sense.

Could have been boos. The cheerleaders cost the Ashley Furniture shootout guy his last shot by not giving him the ball fast enough. They got booed.

[Shocker1976]

[QUOTE=wsushox1;613364]With jack up the three offense, twice to Evansville, twice to UNI, once to Il state, once to SIU, and once to Loyola. QUOTE]
Have you seen Evansville and UNI play this year, especially away games? IMO unlikely either of these teams beat the Shockers at Koch.

Am I correct in assuming you think the Shockers will lose away games to EU, UNI, Illinois State, Southern Indiana and Loyola? If so I agree that these five games comprise the more difficult "hurdles" the Shockers will have to clear to "run the slate" in the MVC. But I am confident the Shockers will win a majority of these games; more likely outcome of 5-2 than 0-7.

[WuDrWu]

Doc and I discussed something in the first half when our defense forced a five-second count on their point guard. I thought the 5 second count rule was removed. I asked Doc and that was his understanding as well.

Can anyone clarify that one? Please and thank you.

Off topic, I haven't seen the travel out of bounds call made in quite some time.

[wusphlash]

I was seated at the student end, and saw several passed up shots. To the extent there were a few collective groans in my section at the passive play by Ron, sometimes followed by forced shots at the end of the clock. I don't mean to be overly critical of the guy, he's an absolute stud, wouldn't trade him for anyone. I've just never seen him exhibit that level of offensive tentativeness.

This goes beyond Ron. All the guys need to understand the value of a "decent" look once we're under 10. Repeatedly waiting for a late Fred drive is not a recipe for success.

[WuDrWu]

IMO Ron is just being a team player - him and Fred want everyone to be involved, because we will improve more as a team if they are. When we "need" a bucket, Ron will be more than willing as will Fred.

There is NO doubt in my mind Baker was trying to get others involved for the benefit of the long term. Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet are the best teammates I've ever seen at WSU and perhaps anywhere.

You can hardly show an INSTANT where they are negative...not to each other, not to a coach, not to a ref....help people up, they prop up struggling teammates...they cheer lead, they are happiest when their teammates succeed.

They are amazing young men, and better basketball players.

Baker dominated when he decided to take over. Best player, by far, in this conference, maybe the country.

Fred stirs the drink and was only not the best player because Ron was on the court.

I thought Shaq was very, very good. He has 2 concerns....going hard for more than a couple minutes, and what to do when Fred isn't out there. He's not the same. But he was excellent tonight and his motor was running.

Zach Brown keeps getting better. Great energy, LOVED the way he attacked the offensive glass.

It's really not fair Evan is in the same class with Ron and Fred, 2 guys that should have their jerseys retired. He's so valuable. Great D, gets every loose ball. Never have 300 career points been so important to a program.

McDuffie looked like a freshman today. Man was that fading 3 a bad shot in the first half.

Thought Grady was ok. Not great, but getting better. Still need to get him more touches.

Conner is getting more comfortable. 2-5 from 3 and 2 of them were bad shots...bad in that his form was off. I'd be willing to wager he's over 40% from 3 the rest of the way. Defense is still lacking. No more nice guy for Conner, get after it and bust your ass young man on defense or keep little Bush company. You've got the talent, use it.

Absolutely loved Kelly's motor today. He played at a different speed....hair on fire speed. Is there any chance he could finish a play though?

Ty looked like he hadn't been in a game for awhile, but I'm going to worry about a kid that got pulled when 3G decided JR was a MUCH safer option.

Nurger tried hard and got hurt because of it. Feel bad for this kid. Should be redshirting.

Now the bad ...... I will go to April believing this team is a good shooting team, perhaps a VERY good or dangerous shooting team. But we're more than a third through the season. Right now we're a POOR shooting team. Under 41% is insanely bad. #301 in shooting. Yikes. Evansville is #4 at 52.30%. Do you realize how good we have to be everywhere else to overcome that kind of disparity? 18 times? I realize everyone can't shoot that well, or against our defense which is incredible. But still, with today's rules, you have to be able to score consistently and we struggle. If we make ANYTHING today the score's probably 85-50. Maybe worse. But until we can score with some consistency, we're going to be in danger of losing games we shouldn't.

I've watched a lot of Valley play....WSU is BY FAR the best team. It's not close. Even with UNI playing their best they are no match for our A- game. Probably even our B+. But we have to make shots.

[ShockerPrez]

We are not just missing treys. We are missing the 2 footers also.

Im high on Taylor. He hasn't looked good, but my God, how much pressure has that kid been put on.

Most guys getting mop up duty get cheered to get to go play, but we expect him to go out and get a double double in 5 minutes of PT.

I have no expectations of production this year, but I hope he doesn't grind himself down.

[Dan]

Who are the people expecting Taylor to get a double-double? I was just hoping he would show signs of being a competent point guard. Right now, it doesn't seem like he's even D1 ready.

[WuDrWu]

We are not just missing treys. We are missing the 2 footers also.

Very much so....it's the 2 point % shooting that REALLY concerns me.

Im high on Taylor. He hasn't looked good, but my God, how much pressure has that kid been put on.

Most guys getting mop up duty get cheered to get to go play, but we expect him to go out and get a double double in 5 minutes of PT.

I have no expectations of production this year, but I hope he doesn't grind himself down.

All the kids are under pressure, thus is the nature of the program these days. That being said, other than the games Fred was injured, I don't think the pressure has been that high. He's a really sharp young man, but you can see the frustration on his face. He certainly needs to stop thinking about producing and stick to simplicity. Do his job, that's it. He's not being put out there to beat Gonzaga.

[pinstripers]

Taylor's ceiling is as high as any freshman we have.

[wsushox1]

That's not quite right, but I will probably also be mistaken. I think it's if you dribble the ball and then pick it up, only then can you get a 5 second.

Someone step in here...

I believe you are correct here.

[wsushox1]

I think Gregg doesn't mind his games being called by Jerry Pollard. Somewhat ironic since it was Jerry who tossed Gregg in Gregg's very first Arch Madness game.

Wasn't that Mike Sanzere? or at least Sanzere was the instigator.

[asiseeit]

TT has all the physical tools, probably more so than FVV, but doesn't seem to understand much
about being a floor general........yet. When I watch him play it looks like he is trying to see what
he can do for himself rather than what he can do for the team. He will have to turn that completely
around if he wants to play for GM. Until there is significant improvement as a floor general there
are too many other options at the PG position including JRS. I personally think LS may play some
point next season simply because as GM has said " he gets it" meaning he understands the offense.
This would also allow CF to play a wing. In addition, we have a couple other newcomers coming in
who will have a chance to see if THEY "get it" or not. The big question for TT is if and when he "gets it".
I don't see him playing a wing. Lots of competition for PT there too.

[wusphlash]

Wasn't that Mike Sanzere? or at least Sanzere was the instigator.

Sanzere may have been part of the crew but I have it in my mind that it was ultimately Pollard who heard Gregg's last few words.

[forevershockerfan]

Some thoughts from reading posts here. Later last Season, FVV had to score more, understood that, and did so. Likewise, Baker as mentioned does whatever he needs to do to help the team and that varies in every solitary game. Yesterday, Baker knew and we know he could have scored 20 plus but we did not have to do that to win. Baker still had 5 rebounds and 0 turnovers in 31 minutes played. Even on a flat night for Baker, he still helps this team like a true All American player, but in the confines of team, team, team.

Shocker shooting woes? Yes, but Drake has shooters, but yet shot only .372 yesterday. This was not a game of horse but rather our coming around on "hair on fire D." Shaq shoots a high % and Grady is coming around. In due time, FVV, Baker, and CF will shoot lights out and party will be over for our foes. We will continue to get our Inside game ramped up to full-throttle which will help this concern as well.

Speaking of our inside game, will there be a Shaq and Grady on the court together sighting for ample minutes? In terms of rebounding and inside scoring potential, is this a good idea? These 2 players are both improving which will really help. Their stamina and committing foul issues would have to be considered but I love their upside and think the ceiling for them is very high. This could have FVV licking his chops with court visions of assists grandeur.