Official Drake Game Thread

[wsushox1]

This team is really close to being dominant, just need to get a little more production in the paint....and even if we aren't we can't totally ignore the post. We got fouled about 3 straight times we threw the ball in the post, if nothing else it gets us into the bonus quicker.

We gonna be alright.

[XManCometh]

I don't know what you are watching but they can shoot.. Which is enough to win a few MVC games alone.

They shot 37% and got 4 offensive rebounds. I think 4 wins is a good starting point. Maybe they'll surprise me and get 6, but I wouldn't bet any of my own money on it.

statistically better shooting team than wichita state.

The only two "good" teams they've played so far are Iowa and Nevada. And they didn't shoot the lights out against either of those two teams. I'll stick by my prediction.

[WstateU]

They shot 37% and got 4 offensive rebounds. I think 4 wins is a good starting point. Maybe they'll surprise me and get 6, but I wouldn't bet any of my own money on it.

In fairness, our defense was pretty solid holding them to 37%.

[jdshock]

Remember when a.few.thougbt our 2nd team could win the Valley. Oh, the confidence of pre season.

To be fair, with the starting lineup today our second team--if healthy--consists of CF, Shamet, McDuffie, Kelly and Grady. That group (obviously without Shamet) combined for 23 points, 15 rebounds and only 4 turnovers. I'm not placing any bets on that lineup to go 18-0, or even to win the conference probably, but that's not a bad lineup at all. Our end of the bench looked really weak with about four minutes to go.

[ShockerMas]

What a difference a year can make. Last year Shaq got left at home for the NYE game @ Drake, this time on NYE Shaq starts at center and finishes with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and a block. This team can be elite if he (and the other post players) keep progressing!

[1972Shocker]

With 10 minutes remaining in the game Ron had 3 points. When he left the game at about the 2 minute mark he had a team leading 14 points.

Ron, Fred and Zach-1 combined for 37 points on 14-25 (56%) shooting. The rest of the guys scored 30 points on 9-29 (31%).

Overall a so-so offensive game for the Shocks but a very good defensive effort.

[Cdizzle]

I guess Pollard had the under? Glad to see he still didn't make it.

Feel bad for Taylor. Not his fault. A carry? Are you shi##ing me? #3 couldn't dribble twice without impersonating a waiter.

[ShockerFever]

We're up eight but having no inside presence will allow us to go 11-7 in the valley.

In meteorological terms, this would be considered a bust. Total blue sky bust.

That was an extreme post to make and one you probably regret making.

[tropicalshox]

The Morris, Grady rotation at the 5 is working OK. I would like to see them in togather but not going to happen. Shaq can't play too many more minutes and Evan is best at the 4.

[ShockerFever]

Defense was impressive. Offense was lacking. Let's face it. We're 12 games into the season. The statistics don't lie. We are not a good shooting team. Fact. We are an elite defensive team. Fact. We're gonna have to win ugly.

Everybody but Fred and Ron can make free throws (at least two in a row). It's an amazing phenomenon.

Kelly can make some nice moves but he is really soft. He cannot finish at all whatsoever. He's Wamakota with better handles. Frustrating.

Shaq has the potential to tear up defenses. His last shot off the glass was beautiful. Baker woke up in the second half with seemingly no effort. So smooth. His defense is creeping closer to Tekele territory. Fred ran the show well. Conner hit a tough 3 late to cover the spread. Nicely done CF. He also had a killer pass that should have been an assist that wasn't finished (by Shaq I believe?).

Good win. Need to blow Bradley out by about 30 on Sunday.

[WstateU]

The Morris, Grady rotation at the 5 is working OK. I would like to see them in to gather but not going to happen. Shaq can't play too many more minutes and Evan is best at the 4.

Speaking of Evan, how many loose balls did he come up with again today? I missed some of both halves and not sure he even scored, but heard his name mentioned several times getting extra possessions on the offensive end.

[Shocker1976]

We're up eight but having no inside presence will allow us to go 11-7 in the valley.

What seven games do you predict the Shockers will lose?

IMO you will rue the day you posted this message.

[Cdizzle]

I'm a big believer that stats don't lie once you get to a certain point, but I just still don't believe this team isn't capable of being a good/great shooting team, not a crappy one. Perhaps it is my fan-ness getting all up in the way. I just look at FVV, Baker, Frankamp, Brown, and even McDuffie and don't see 32% 3PT shooting team. I guess those guys did go 8/19 today. So, maybe less 3Ptrs from...Grady? Maybe put that shot on the shelf.

[double dribble]

I would still like to see Hamilton in the mix. I was disappointed that he didn't get in even with us up 20pts.

[tropicalshox]

I'll admit our post presence in the first half went missing much of the time. One reason was settling for 3's.