Canada Trip

[Rally Doug]

Interesting for me to follow this thread and learn a bit about your players. So, any predictions on how the Shockers will do on their four game tour in Canada? Here is my best guess from north of the border. Easy Shocker wins against UQAM and the all-star team. A win over McGill but a closer game. A toss-up against Carleton.

[Windiwu]

That sounds pretty good but I am not sure any of us know who the all stars are. For all we know they might have former shocker stars rounded up. That could really be entertaining but I think their fans would rather see that closer to home. Has Carleton actually released any news about the game or tickets?

[Rally Doug]

That sounds pretty good but I am not sure any of us know who the all stars are. For all we know they might have former shocker stars rounded up. That could really be entertaining but I think their fans would rather see that closer to home. Has Carleton actually released any news about the game or tickets?

The all-stars are usually a team of Montreal players that used to (or now do) play in the NCAA, the CIS or in Europe. So a wide range of talent and ages but just a team thrown together for the summer (although many members may have played together since their high school days).

No news yet from Carleton on the Shocker game details or tickets. I will post here as soon as it is available. This is later than usual as I normally would have purchased my NCAA exhibition game package by now. The Ravens other opponents have not been officially announced although some names are out there and I must say I am disappointed from what I hear. We are used to playing teams like Wisconsin, Syracuse, Memphis, Baylor, etc. Not teams like Morgan State or Fairleigh Dickinson.

[Dan]

It would be cool to see Nick Wiggins and/or Chadrack Lufile on the all-star team.

[ShockingButTrue]

I think several guys will be better this year than they have been previously. I agree that McDuff has the highest ceiling of any of the returning players, but that doesn't make me feel like some of the others don't also have a much higher ceiling than they've shown up to this point. As for developing into an E. Wessel type talent, I think both ZB and RK are already better "talent"-wise than EW was. The question is do they have the heart to put in the effort that he always put in.

They both have something to offer.

But first they have to employ the principles of the "Triple Threat" position on the court during live games. In other words, make quick & precise decisions. Don't hesitate so much.

[Kel Varnsen]

I think several guys will be better this year than they have been previously. I agree that McDuff has the highest ceiling of any of the returning players, but that doesn't make me feel like some of the others don't also have a much higher ceiling than they've shown up to this point. As for developing into an E. Wessel type talent, I think both ZB and RK are already better "talent"-wise than EW was. The question is do they have the heart to put in the effort that he always put in.

I won't beat this horse to death as everyone here knows where I stand, but we will see a much increased offensive threat and a better, more versatile defender in Evan's place, whether that's Zach Brown or Markis McDuffie (Rashard Kelly to a lesser extent).

Regardless, I'm stoked for this season. I think we have a chance to be better than most people (and even some on SN) think.

[Kel Varnsen]

And I agree with those who are talking about Zach Brown. Man that guy got timid last year. Dude would be an All-American if he could handle the ball well.

[wufan]

Interesting for me to follow this thread and learn a bit about your players. So, any predictions on how the Shockers will do on their four game tour in Canada? Here is my best guess from north of the border. Easy Shocker wins against UQAM and the all-star team. A win over McGill but a closer game. A toss-up against Carleton.

I don't know much about the teams we will be facing, but I expect WSU to sweep the games handily.

[AndShock]

I never expect a Gregg Marshall team to lose but a loss against Carleton would not surprise me. Then we will have to suffer from Valley fans bringing it up for 6 months until we go 16-2 in conference and they all crawl back into their little holes.

[Windiwu]

I think our team will give Carleton the proper respect. They have won 12 of the last 14 Canadian national championships and I think we all know that is a remarkable achievement even if they were in the Missouri Valley... I was looking for their NCAA record that I saw somewhere online but couldn't find it again. They did beat Wisconsin in 2013 then lost to them the next day in a repeat game. (Ooops, mistake... The game on the second day was with the University of Ottawa, not Carleton) I see that in 2013 they also lost to Syracuse by 4 points in OT.

[Rally Doug]

I think our team will give Carleton the proper respect. They have won 12 of the last 14 Canadian national championships and I think we all know that is a remarkable achievement even if they were in the Missouri Valley... I was looking for their NCAA record that I saw somewhere online but couldn't find it again. They did beat Wisconsin in 2013 then lost to them the next day in a repeat game. (Ooops, mistake... The game on the second day was with the University of Ottawa, not Carleton) I see that in 2013 they also lost to Syracuse by 4 points in OT.

Here is the link for Carleton games against NCAA D1 teams. That loss to Syracuse in OT was a tough one as the Ravens were up by 15 at one point in the third quarter. The 2013 Ravens teams was probably our best team ever. Carleton is not as good now, but still a dangerous team to play.

http://cishoops.ca/history/cisncaadetail.php?Team=Carleton

[Windiwu]

I think I said what I did about the MVC the wrong way. I meant to insinuate that the Shockers know well the feeling of being disrespected simply because of the conference they play in.

[jcdshocker]

Do not underestimate Zach Brown

I predict he will surprise a lot of people on SN. He has Tekele skills with more size.

He may very well have a breakout year. I hope he does.

[ShockingButTrue]

I'd like to see Zach hit the glass a little harder and not defend with his hands as much as he should his feet.

That, and if he could cut down on turnovers, would be the thing that makes him a valuable role player. Maybe even at the level of an E. Wessel. He's not shown much beyond those traits.

[ShockdaWorld]

Some people apparently haven't been watching the same games I have the past few years.