Future

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

We need to look no farther than the 2012-13 season here. Many people thought the Shockers would take a step back after Stutz, Murry, and crew graduated. The masses had yet to be introduced to Cle, Ron, Fred, and Malcolm. We know how that turned out.

I don't think that is a very comparable example.

2011-2012 had 5 Seniors each playing over 20 mins/gm. They combined for 63% of all minutes played that year. Against VCU in the NCAA Tournament the 5 Seniors played 70% of the minutes! That's crazy high. I can't find another team in the Marshall or Turgeon eras that had a senior class that averaged even 50% of the total minutes for the season, or even 60% of the total minutes for a game.

In 2013, during WSU's 5 NCAA Tournament games, only 39% of the minutes came from returning players. It was not an example of getting rid of 1-2 stars and the remaining core playing well as a team in their expanded roles. It was an example of wiping out a massive chunk of the roster and replacing it with straight up better players.

Maybe the loss of Ron and Fred gives us a chance to test the proposed theory next year, but the '11-'12 to '12'-13 transition was something totally different.

[ripemupshocks]

NBC Sports way to early 2016-17 Top 25:

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2016/05/26/the-nbc-sports-2016-17-way-too-early-preseason-top-25/

[ShockdaWorld]

NBC Sports way to early 2016-17 Top 25:

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.c...season-top-25/

If those are the 24 teams "ahead" of us, I think we're in pretty damn good shape.

[shockmonster]

NBC Sports way to early 2016-17 Top 25:

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.c...season-top-25/

Most KU fans will be unhappy to hear this. They are predicting we will drop off of the face of the earth now that Fred and Ron are gone. At least Phognet has been predicting this.

[SB Shock]

I heard Kennedy relate a story from the MVC baseball tournament that there were some MVC fans giddy about the possibility of WSU demise next season. ISUB basketball coach was there and said something to the extent of losing 2 games in the MVC conference, they might lose 3. Kennedy also said that he believe maybe the floor might be slightly lower next year, but the ceiling of this team is much greater.

[ShockingButTrue]

Most KU fans will be unhappy to hear this. They are predicting we will drop off of the face of the earth now that Fred and Ron are gone. At least Phognet has been predicting this.

Most of 'em probably don't even watch the Shockers.

[AndShock]

Most of 'em probably don't even watch the Shockers.

You should check out phog.net during or after one of our games.

[ShockingButTrue]

You should check out phog.net during or after one of our games.

I'd truly be surprised if most of those people watched much of anything besides the b12, if even that.

[WSUwatcher]

NBC Sports way too early 2016-17 Top 25:

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.c...season-top-25/

Note that the newcomers listed for WSU don't include Daishon Smith and Darral Willis, who could easily have a more immediate impact than Allen and Keyser do. So the writer has WSU in his top 25 without including a couple of important additions. That probably bodes well.

On the other hand, maybe he just loves Marshall and doesn't really know what he's talking about -- after all, look who's #21.

[Dan]

Most of 'em probably don't even watch the Shockers.

Many of them live in Wichita and some are even WSU students who had to "come back home" to finish their education.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Kennedy also said that he believe maybe the floor might be slightly lower next year, but the ceiling of this team is much greater.

A higher ceiling? Than last year? Than Ron and Fred's senior year?

I like Kennedy, but that seems like crazy talk.

[DUShock]

@SB Shock: & @Jamar Howard 4 President:

I love MK but nothing like a little Kool-Aid hyperbole. I am stoked for the 2016-17 season, too bad the off season is so damn long...

[Shocker1976]

A higher ceiling? Than last year? Than Ron and Fred's senior year?

I like Kennedy, but that seems like crazy talk.

IMO Mike K has accurately described the Shockers - slightly lower floor at the beginning of the season but a higher ceiling as the team matures/gels into a typical Marshall cohesive team (more athletic players for HC3G to coach).

[WstateU]

@SB Shock: & @Jamar Howard 4 President:

I love MK but nothing like a little Kool-Aid hyperbole.

[ShockerFever]

Most of 'em probably don't even watch the Shockers.

Actually, most of them are very insecure of us and spend a good time watching us.