Shocks vs. Redbirds - Game thread

[1972Shocker]

Another interesting thing is that Ron was pretty much on the bench during the two big runs in each half that essentially blew the game open. This is not meant as a slam on Ron but I wonder if that would have happened earlier in the year. What it tells me is that Anton and the kids have come a long way recently and are making the Shocks just that much more of a dangerous team. Hope they can keep it up.

[ShockerFever]

Dunk of the night
https://twitter.com/ESPNCBB/status/703817255931478016

Again, many thanks to the Redturds for teeing up another SC Top Ten. We should send them an annual thank you card.

[Rollbird5]

Another interesting thing is that Ron was pretty much on the bench during the two big runs in each half that essentially blew the game open. This not meant as a slam on Ron but I wonder if that would have happened earlier in the year. What it tells me is that Anton and the kids have come a long way recently and are making the Shocks just that much more of a dangerous team. Hope they can keep it up.

From an outsiders perspective who's watched a decent amount of your games it seemed that the younger guys and even sophomores like Brown earlier in the year and throughout some of conference would defer too much to Ron and Fred. Also, seemed like Ron and Fred were trying to take on too much of the load and maybe not trusting the other guys enough. Probably due to having not as much chemistry with some of the newer guys as in years past, FVV's injury hurt the improvement in this area as well. Now they all seem to have confidence in the system and their roles and aren't playing scared to make mistakes (not sure if that's right wording but I think you guys understand)/afraid to upset the Coach and get taken out of the game. Seems like you guys are hitting your stride at the perfect time and will be a tough out in the ncaa tourney. I know I'll be picking you guys to make the sweet 16 at least.

[Shockers5150]

Way too many 3s, but a great win and a great day. 6-27 from 3 games needs to stop.
Here's to winning st lou, go shox!

[shox1989]

Mcduffies dunk better be on ESPN.

It was #10. I think it should have been better than that, but it least it made the SC top 10.

[forevershockerfan]

Way too many 3s, but a great win and a great day. 6-27 from 3 games needs to stop.
Here's to winning st lou, go shox!

It has been nice to see our bigs being established more inside for us. Shaq, Grady, Kelly are coming on at the opportune time. Yesterday, Wessel had 8 rebounds and 3 steals of our 7. We only had 6 team turnovers to their 17 which really helped and we outrebounded the birds by 7.

Here's what I like. We got twice the throws at 26 and the birds only had 13. Drawing more fouls than our foes is a great sign we are moving more towards the 'establish the inside first then out mentality' which is when we are at our best. Even so, .615 % makes was not as good as usual and will improve. Frankamp blocking a shot was kewl and his D. looked better yesterday. Shaq's block was poster ready and we know 3G is pleased with rim protecting. Mr. A. Carr prolly was elated as he watched angry for us in the stands on that block because he was awesome at that.

As we move forward, we see improvements still occurring and likely to continue upward. Grady is 'getting his groove on' and his confidence is improving as he is at his best from about 12' on inward. Wait until both he and Shaq both have big nights together consistently. MM and Brown combined at the 3 will match up with the best of teams at the 3 slot. Kelly and Wessel combined to man the 4 spot nicely yesterday.

In the scheme of things, as we head towards the finish line in March/April, we hope to then be hitting on all cylinders first inside, but also drawing fouls, keeping our turnovers to a mild roar, and ramping up an already solid D. If we do those things first every game and also get hot or even consistent from the 3, we will be 'top 10 good' as many projected before our injuries plagued us hard early on. I still say we have good shooters but I like us taking it to the rack, drawing fouls, making easy shots and then hitting the 3's. Easier said than done but the Shocks have only begun to fight and we have the best of best Coaching to show us the way. Stay tuned.

[1972Shocker]

From an outsiders perspective who's watched a decent amount of your games it seemed that the younger guys and even sophomores like Brown earlier in the year and throughout some of conference would defer too much to Ron and Fred. Also, seemed like Ron and Fred were trying to take on too much of the load and maybe not trusting the other guys enough. Probably due to having not as much chemistry with some of the newer guys as in years past, FVV's injury hurt the improvement in this area as well. Now they all seem to have confidence in the system and their roles and aren't playing scared to make mistakes (not sure if that's right wording but I think you guys understand)/afraid to upset the Coach and get taken out of the game. Seems like you guys are hitting your stride at the perfect time and will be a tough out in the ncaa tourney. I know I'll be picking you guys to make the sweet 16 at least.

I think those are quite good observations especially from an "outsider" so to speak.

[forevershockerfan]

Again, many thanks to the Redturds for teeing up another SC Top Ten. We should send them an annual thank you card.

Here is a fun stat from yesterday for our various foes that try to ignore that FVV is worthy of the Valley POY. I actually like 3G's idea of a FVV/and Baker Co-POY. I noticed on their board, several of them want big E from Evansville to get it even though our Shocks distanced the 2nd place teams by 4 games. WOW!!

Illinois State team assist total---10 in 200 minutes.

FVV assist total versus the birds---9 in 38 minutes.

[shockmonster]

Here is a fun stat from yesterday for our various foes that try to ignore that FVV is worthy of the Valley POY. I actually like 3G's idea of a FVV/and Baker Co-POY. I noticed on their board, several of them want big E from Evansville to get it even though our Shocks distanced the 2nd place teams by 4 games. WOW!!

Illinois State team assist total---10 in 200 minutes.

FVV assist total versus the birds---9 in 38 minutes.

From what I've read, most aren't against FVV winning the POY but they don't think that Baker should be 1st Team All Valley. I think they should be Co-POY.

[shocksrbest]

From an outsiders perspective who's watched a decent amount of your games it seemed that the younger guys and even sophomores like Brown earlier in the year and throughout some of conference would defer too much to Ron and Fred. Also, seemed like Ron and Fred were trying to take on too much of the load and maybe not trusting the other guys enough. Probably due to having not as much chemistry with some of the newer guys as in years past, FVV's injury hurt the improvement in this area as well. Now they all seem to have confidence in the system and their roles and aren't playing scared to make mistakes (not sure if that's right wording but I think you guys understand)/afraid to upset the Coach and get taken out of the game. Seems like you guys are hitting your stride at the perfect time and will be a tough out in the ncaa tourney. I know I'll be picking you guys to make the sweet 16 at least.

Agree. We had the same issue last year when they were just freshmen...talented but untested. This year early in the season Fred and Ron felt the pressure of high expectations and tried to do to much. The team has come a long way since then.

[Bluzrover]

Oh my God that was sick. Redturd thought he was gonna get the one-handed jam. Instead he gets a Shaq sandwich. LOVED IT. GTFO

Just as awesome as Tekele's slam last year!

[Ricardo del Rio]

The Shocks were ahead by 25 with approximately two minutes remaining.

I wanted to win by 30 so badly. A 16 point win gave the Birds a touch of respectability and it misleads just how badly we stomped their sweet @ss.

[ShockTalk]

The Shocks were ahead by 25 with approximately two minutes remaining.

I wanted to win by 30 so badly. A 16 point win gave the Birds a touch of respectability and it misleads just how badly we stomped their sweet @ss.

Our seniors were worth the points literally given to the Dirtybirds and if their fans don't believe this really happened, they are just not being honest with themselves. There would have be no doubt about COY had we held that 25 point margin, but I'm certain that was not important to HCGM as it was to the Turds coach who left Purcell, Hawkins, and Paris in to the bitter end. Danny boy probably thought we were trying to rub it in and win by a bigger margin with our seniors on the court.

[SHOCKvalue]

The Shocks were ahead by 25 with approximately two minutes remaining.

I wanted to win by 30 so badly. A 16 point win gave the Birds a touch of respectability and it misleads just how badly we stomped their sweet @ss.

The margin decline in the last couple of minutes was completely due to Marshall putting in and taking out seniors for recognition. Totally worth it.

EDIT: @ShockTalk: beat me to the same basic thought.

[AZ Shocker]

Yeah...the margin simply slipped due to honoring the Seniors. No worries...should we play em in STL...we'll honor the Redbird fans with a 30 point BLOW-OUT.