Shockers v Aggies Game Thread

[Blackmag]

When you hit shots you can look pretty good, and when you don't you look pretty ordinary. Our defense has been through the roof, defense is not the problem, taking care of the ball is not an issue, rebounding is pretty solid. Shooting has been our Achilles heel. We're not a great shooting team, but we're not a 30% shooting team either. Both our losses came against decent defensive teams who played probably as well as they could on defense and we just couldn't knock down open shots. We had ten possesions in a row against UNI with a chance to take the lead and couldn't do it. It was a fluke, it got in our head, and I don't think we will see that again for a long, long while. I expect us to turn things around and finish strong. We have too many good shooters not to make a run at this thing....tonight was a good start.

[bleed yellow]

When you hit shots you can look pretty good, and when you don't you look pretty ordinary. Our defense has been through the roof, defense is not the problem, taking care of the ball is not an issue, rebounding is pretty solid. Shooting has been our Achilles heel. We're not a great shooting team, but we're not a 30% shooting team either. Both our losses came against decent defensive teams who played probably as well as they could on defense and we just couldn't knock down open shots. We had ten possesions in a row against UNI with a chance to take the lead and couldn't do it. It was a fluke, it got in our head, and I don't think we will see that again for a long, long while. I expect us to turn things around and finish strong. We have too many good shooters not to make a run at this thing....tonight was a good start.

A friend of mine asked me during the game why Marshall isnt recruiting an inside game. I merely laughed and explained that is one of the million dollar questions.. The problem began to show last year and now it is rearing it's ugly face at the fan base this year.
I realize that it's tougher to recruit bigs to the Valley, but even Valley teams are bigger than wsu. If you don't have bigs, that means you are relying on higher percentage shots further away from the basket and 2nd chance points are going to happen a lot less. So, in affect, shooting is the problem, but the lack of bigs is the main problem. 3G must really like the speed of a smaller team.
But overall it's kind of sad because it makes one wonder what could of happened the past 2 years with above average bigs. I hate to say it, but this team falls short of it's championship goal this year. We encounter a team loaded with bigs and average guards and that is that. Kind of like the Seton Hall game.

[shockmonster]

It's nice that we can have a good game and it can be balanced out with a sad fan. I still remember after a road loss (we probably had 15 or so losses at the time) and our fans met our team with a standing ovation against Creighton. We won that game. I believe that it was Greggs first year. I am going to be more sad when I don't get to see Fred and Ron any longer, not because our talent pool is gone and we will begin to lose (I don't think we will have a losing team next year), but because old all the good memories they have given us. That will be my sad time.

[asiseeit]

We're still struggling on offense. And why did Rauno take THAT 3?

I would bet that GM encouraged him to try it hoping that if he made one it would draw out one of
those huge trees from the basket and open up the lane some. At that stage of the game they were
dominating the paint. RN has always known / played his assigned role and most always does
little to hurt the team in any way.

[The 'hut]

Deep Thoughts---Remember the SNL Skit?---
1. Great energy from the crowd until the circus came to town at every time out.
2. Conner looks much more comfortable playing zone where his instincts are an asset and he isn't getting isolated by bigger guards who know exactly where the help is located.
3. I love live music and am a very pro band guy, but I still am not sold on some of the selections and I will never, ever join in on War where they attempt to stick it every game.
4. Rauno just makes me scratch my head. i want so badly for him to have a break out moment, but that bunny was perplexing.
5. Rashard finishes the shot he looses control of on the way up and just slaps it in the hole, but a power layup confuses him like a child proof cap in a dementia unit.
6. Like all, I loved the effort. See ya Thursday

[WuDrWu]

I posted this in the the UNI thread, but it's a good read about your 3rd point. Conners time will come. He looked good tonight. As aggressive as he has been all year.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...e60584096.html

I had to be a dad and have a microcosm of Shockernet talk with my teenage daughter after the UNI game. Completely spoiled (as many of us are) from 43 straight wins at home, a zero point game where he missed an open shot to tie at the buzzer was seemingly all she could take.

"He's here to make shots, not miss them and get DUIs" was one of many comments following the UNI debacle. Ouch.

Her and I had to have a little sit down. We discussed the pressure of the moment, the lifetime of effort and dedication it takes to even GET to the point where you can take the shot. How these kids are just that...kids.

We then discussed her shortcomings, mistakes, moments of poor judgement and how those things don't get printed and shared for the entire city, state and country to discuss and how they are discussed without the benefit of knowing the person.


Are you a good kid?

I think I am.

Have you made mistakes?

Yeah, everyone does.

Do those mistakes make you a bad person?

I don't think so.

Do we all deserve a chance to redeem ourselves and be forgiven?

Yes sir.

Well then, we agree on that. But with mistakes come consequences. No NMSU game for you.

Sometimes I hate being a dad.


I thought Conner was one of many Shockers that were really good last night. You see why they want more. Ron and Fred want more. They know what he's capable of and they are trying to get it out of him. @Aargh: made a great point about turnovers. Yes, he's been insanely careful with the rock and so far has only 3 turnovers. THREE. Only little Bush and Shamet have fewer. Think about that for a minute. BUT he needs to push things more, take some chances and test boundaries. He's got the talent, it's time to unleash the beast.

He's a quiet and serious kid at times. I wish he'd smile and enjoy the moment more often. I don't think I've seen him smile once. I've heard he's happy to be here and I believe him. His demeanor wasn't any different at Lawrence. Young man, there will all too rapidly come a time when you will wish people payed attention and cared....just like WSU fans, enjoy the moment.


I'll comment on the game more later. These guys played their tails off last night. They did Saturday as well. 41 points, 53 points....the next "fan" that questions the effort of this team is going to my boot directly up their internet ass. It's ridiculous. I've never seen a team bust ass every time down the court like these guys. Even Nurger, who gave up a year of his career for the team, not for him, but for the team, and is struggling mightily to be successful, is out there busting his hump trying to out work the other guy.

[ShoxRoxMySox]

They had only 1 player score more than 7 points. Obviously a by-product of holding them to 41, but still, wow.

[ShoxRoxMySox]

A friend of mine asked me during the game why Marshall isnt recruiting an inside game. I merely laughed and explained that is one of the million dollar questions.. The problem began to show last year and now it is rearing it's ugly face at the fan base this year.
I realize that it's tougher to recruit bigs to the Valley, but even Valley teams are bigger than wsu. If you don't have bigs, that means you are relying on higher percentage shots further away from the basket and 2nd chance points are going to happen a lot less. So, in affect, shooting is the problem, but the lack of bigs is the main problem. 3G must really like the speed of a smaller team.
But overall it's kind of sad because it makes one wonder what could of happened the past 2 years with above average bigs. I hate to say it, but this team falls short of it's championship goal this year. We encounter a team loaded with bigs and average guards and that is that. Kind of like the Seton Hall game.

No, we don't have a behemoth 7'3" center. But how much did that help NM state in their 30 point beat down? Our bigs took down two likely lottery picks in Poeltl and Zimmerman. I'd love a more dominate inside game, but it's not like they haven't pulled their weight.

[pie n eye]

A friend of mine asked me during the game why Marshall isnt recruiting an inside game. I merely laughed and explained that is one of the million dollar questions.. The problem began to show last year and now it is rearing it's ugly face at the fan base this year.
I realize that it's tougher to recruit bigs to the Valley, but even Valley teams are bigger than wsu. If you don't have bigs, that means you are relying on higher percentage shots further away from the basket and 2nd chance points are going to happen a lot less. So, in affect, shooting is the problem, but the lack of bigs is the main problem. 3G must really like the speed of a smaller team.
But overall it's kind of sad because it makes one wonder what could of happened the past 2 years with above average bigs. I hate to say it, but this team falls short of it's championship goal this year. We encounter a team loaded with bigs and average guards and that is that. Kind of like the Seton Hall game.

We are all now dumber for having read this post. Thank you.

[Stickboy46]

No, we don't have a behemoth 7'3" center. But how much did that help NM state in their 30 point beat down? Our bigs took down two likely lottery picks in Poeltl and Zimmerman. I'd love a more dominate inside game, but it's not like they haven't pulled their weight.

I really think the only thing holding back our Shaq/Grady Combo is fouls. If they stay out of foul trouble, and we utilize them, they do great. They can make mid-range shots and have decent post moves. They always seem to get good position also. We just don't always get the ball down there for them to work.

[wusphlash]

Tanveer Bhullar is listed at 7-3, 335. But his big bro Sim Bhullar who played for the Aggies from 2012 - 2014 was 7-5, 360. They do take up a bit of space.

Breast fed babies.

[pinstripers]

1. Best game Connor has had.

2. I don't understand what a foul is.

3. Did Brown even shoot in the second half?

4. Judas Priest that was a great big man.

5. I woulda put Hamilton, (and maybe TTT) in the game sooner. Don't understand that.

6. Their big lefty was similar to Cleanthony.

7. Wessel was really good, again.

8. Big Bush was about as good as he has been this year.

9. I swear, Taylor is faster than Demetric was.

10. Dog-N-Shake, pretty good cheeseburger.

[Stickboy46]

1. Best game Connor has had.

2. I don't understand what a foul is.

3. Did Brown even shoot in the second half?

4. Judas Priest that was a great big man.

5. I woulda put Hamilton, (and maybe TTT) in the game sooner. Don't understand that.

6. Their big lefty was similar to Cleanthony.

7. Wessel was really good, again.

8. Big Bush was about as good as he has been this year.

9. I swear, Taylor is faster than Demetric was.

10. Dog-N-Shake, pretty good cheeseburger.

5. I can see why Hamilton doesn't get in sooner. He gets the ball and immediately goes to the hole, no matter how many guys are in his way. He went up last night against 2 guys that were way bigger than him and it went as expected. He got blocked. Thankfully TT saved it then made a 3 off it. The kid just oozes potential, but he's got to understand how to play good team offense.

[xazshox]

Inside Player recruiting

Shockmonster, I guess you don't follow the recruiting thread. If you did, you would have noticed that SK Shittu, a 6-9 prospect, made an unofficial recruiting visit to WSU for the UNI game.

On a different subject, I also have lost track of what a foul is now. If a player drives to the basket & his shot is not blocked, but he is hammered to the floor, it appears that is not a foul. Perhaps someone can explain the subtleties of it to me & that is just one example.

When WSU was ahead of NMS 7 fouls to 1 in the 2nd half last night, it looked like the referees suddenly recognized the unfairness of it & decided to even things up.

One interesting foul that happened to Shaq in the UNI game came in the 2nd half when he was running down the floor with a UNI player hanging on him. Shaq made a move with his right arm to throw the guy off of him & it resulted in the Ref's going to the replay to determine if it was a flagrant foul by Shaq. I guess that is a good example of a player who is retaliating getting caught instead of the instigator. One thing I did like very much about the game with NMS last night was that Anton Grady didn't get flagged for any silly fouls.

[ShockRef]

Interesting crew

Different mix of guys last night.
Not sure how many times they have worked together, but they didn't appear to all be on the same page.

LS was calling most fouls, some not in his primary. His inadvertent in the 1st half was strange too.

NM State has some talent (Siakim is the real deal), but clearly plays like a young and still developing group.
They were also obviously tired in 2nd half and had no legs from 10:00 on.
Sim's 'little' brother is big... and just as slow.

Good to see guys pump fake, drive and take the 15' jumper vs continuing to fire away from 23'. There was balance in their offense last night for the 1st time in a few games.

Grady really played well and was confident. Brown also had the look of someone out to make a point.
Mission accomplished by both.

Shaq continues to commit some of the dumbest fouls known to man. Probably will not break bad habits until he is a Sr.

That is all.