WSU Versus Illinois State Predictions and Pregame Discussions

[Ghost of Rick Lamb]

Hello Shocker Friends

That time again. Congrats on another 5-0 start to Valley play. You guys truly do re-load and never rebuild. Nobody is recruiting on your level in the Valley and likely nobody ever will. I am an idiot. I really thought you'd slide back a little bit losing Baker and FVV and you guys still look awesome to me.

I am looking forward to a very good, physical and well played game on Saturday. Happily........I am making the drive from Joliet (nice ref earlier this thread to my beloved J-Town also :)) and hopefully will witness a Redbird W. There really is no reason for any of your players, coaches or fans to show the Birds any respect. We haven't earned it and this fan fully understands and appeciates that. There is no reason for any of you to think of us in any way other than a small obstacle on your way to another Valley title. I am hoping we might be able to earn some respect with a well played game and a win on Saturday.

I think we match up pretty well but we aren't as deep as you are. Our defense has been very good (primarily man but occasional zone) and the only thing I will dispute is a previous poster who said we aren't long and athletic. That is exactly what we are and that is why we have a chance. We are long, we are athletic and we do defend.

For my money, Paris Lee is the Valley MVP if the season eneded today. He will need to play like it on Saturday for the Birds to win.

Shox have the advantage in coaching, depth, big game experience. Athletically I think we are on par but the difference is the Shox have more of those elite athletes. I don't know if we'll win but I at least don't feel like it's an automatic loss like in years past. But..........you guys have every right to feel that it will be an easy W for you guys. Like I said---we haven't given you any reason to feel otherwise.

Should be a great game. I'd like to see us finally beat you guys again before you leave for greener pastures. I just hope that no matter what happens both fan bases can keep it above board and respectable. I would love to see this rivalry get re-ignited with hard fought, clean basketball. Only way that happens is if we start to compete and actually beat you guys some. Hopefully the bad blood from the recent past stays in the past.

safe travels to anyone heading to Normal and good luck---even though you don't need it. :)

GORL

[SB Shock]

This team still has maturing and learning to go - last night results show that (when u have a team down by 19 u bury them) - so I have concerns about this game. If WSU wins it would go along ways in demonstrating their growth. If they lose it not the end of the world - but will likely highlight those areas that need to be improved upon if they want to have success in the post season. Hopefully whatever happens - it not like OkState game.

[Dan]

The key matchups will be Lee vs Smith/Frankamp, and Hawkins/McIntosh vs Brown/McDuffie. Frankamp guarding Lee is a concern, we may have to put Shamet on Lee when Frankamp is in the game.

The other Birds don't concern me as much with their scoring ability so it should be interesting to see how they match up defensively against our other 2 key players, Willis and Shamet. We have more offensive weapons than they do. but they may give us fits with their D. We have to keep the fouls down and play smart to win this game.

[Stickboy46]

Hello Shocker Friends

That time again. Congrats on another 5-0 start to Valley play. You guys truly do re-load and never rebuild. Nobody is recruiting on your level in the Valley and likely nobody ever will. I am an idiot. I really thought you'd slide back a little bit losing Baker and FVV and you guys still look awesome to me.

I am looking forward to a very good, physical and well played game on Saturday. Happily........I am making the drive from Joliet (nice ref earlier this thread to my beloved J-Town also :)) and hopefully will witness a Redbird W. There really is no reason for any of your players, coaches or fans to show the Birds any respect. We haven't earned it and this fan fully understands and appeciates that. There is no reason for any of you to think of us in any way other than a small obstacle on your way to another Valley title. I am hoping we might be able to earn some respect with a well played game and a win on Saturday.

I think we match up pretty well but we aren't as deep as you are. Our defense has been very good (primarily man but occasional zone) and the only thing I will dispute is a previous poster who said we aren't long and athletic. That is exactly what we are and that is why we have a chance. We are long, we are athletic and we do defend.

For my money, Paris Lee is the Valley MVP if the season eneded today. He will need to play like it on Saturday for the Birds to win.

Shox have the advantage in coaching, depth, big game experience. Athletically I think we are on par but the difference is the Shox have more of those elite athletes. I don't know if we'll win but I at least don't feel like it's an automatic loss like in years past. But..........you guys have every right to feel that it will be an easy W for you guys. Like I said---we haven't given you any reason to feel otherwise.

Should be a great game. I'd like to see us finally beat you guys again before you leave for greener pastures. I just hope that no matter what happens both fan bases can keep it above board and respectable. I would love to see this rivalry get re-ignited with hard fought, clean basketball. Only way that happens is if we start to compete and actually beat you guys some. Hopefully the bad blood from the recent past stays in the past.

safe travels to anyone heading to Normal and good luck---even though you don't need it. :)

GORL

Great post.

A couple of things. I don't think anyone said you weren't long and athletic. It was said that you aren't as long and athletic as Louisville. I think that's a true statement. I also don't think anyone on here thinks it will be an Easy W. I personally don't think it is.

[Rollbird5]

The key matchups will be Lee vs Smith/Frankamp, and Hawkins/McIntosh vs Brown/McDuffie. Frankamp guarding Lee is a concern, we may have to put Shamet on Lee when Frankamp is in the game.

The other Birds don't concern me as much with their scoring ability so it should be interesting to see how they match up defensively against our other 2 key players, Willis and Shamet. We have more offensive weapons than they do. but they may give us fits with their D. We have to keep the fouls down and play smart to win this game.

I think on defense the Redbirds would matchup Lee vs pg (smith/frankamp, Wills on Shamet, McIntosh on McDuffie/Brown, Fayne on Willis (2 athletic lefties make for a good matchup), and Hawkins on Morris/Nurger. Obviously this would change based on who's on the court, or if shockers go big lineup or small lineup

[BOBB]

This is a game where we can play pretty well and still lose. I hate that we have been shooting well the past few games going into a game where we aren't going to get a lot of easy looks. I will go with a "L" and live with it if we play well. If the team that made winless in the Big 12 Oklahoma State look like the second coming of Phi Slamma Jamma shows up, this will be ugly. 2nd half against Louisville team shows up, I'll take our chances. Shaq needs to decide if he's a Durley.

[ShockingButTrue]

Our big's have to play that way.

Against their zone, which seems to be Muller's MO, we've got to get penetration (and kick if needed) to have effective possessions. Multiple empty possessions can't be conceded in this contest.

Saturday's game will go a long way towards deciding an at-large berth, when comparing notes, if need be, for the winner.

[ShockerFever]

If they win, are they going to party like it's 1998?

The Super Bowl Meter says yes.

[AZ Shocker]

Boy...I suppose it'll just be the same 'ole song and dance. Another road game against a team that's perceived to possible be as taleted as Wichita St. Perfect for Elgin's puppet strings. Be awesone if I'm wrong but I do anticipate terrible calls putting our bigs in prison real quick. Much like at UNI. Not sure if Nurger can save us this time. As of today...leaning towards a Redbird victory.

[WheatShock]

Our big's have to play that way.

Against their zone, which seems to be Muller's MO, we've got to get penetration (and kick if needed) to have effective possessions. Multiple empty possessions can't be conceded in this contest.

Saturday's game will go a long way towards deciding an at-large berth, when comparing notes, if need be, for the winner.

Their zone was what killed us up there last year. We looked lost against it and couldn't shoot our way out. This team has been better against zone than last year though.

[Stickboy46]

Their zone was what killed us up there last year. We looked lost against it and couldn't shoot our way out. This team has been better against zone than last year though.

Agreed, We seem to eat up zones this year.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Great post.

A couple of things. I don't think anyone said you weren't long and athletic. It was said that you aren't as long and athletic as Louisville. I think that's a true statement. I also don't think anyone on here thinks it will be an Easy W. I personally don't think it is.

Not gonna be easy.

[shockmonster]

Hello Shocker Friends

That time again. Congrats on another 5-0 start to Valley play. You guys truly do re-load and never rebuild. Nobody is recruiting on your level in the Valley and likely nobody ever will. I am an idiot. I really thought you'd slide back a little bit losing Baker and FVV and you guys still look awesome to me.

I am looking forward to a very good, physical and well played game on Saturday. Happily........I am making the drive from Joliet (nice ref earlier this thread to my beloved J-Town also :)) and hopefully will witness a Redbird W. There really is no reason for any of your players, coaches or fans to show the Birds any respect. We haven't earned it and this fan fully understands and appeciates that. There is no reason for any of you to think of us in any way other than a small obstacle on your way to another Valley title. I am hoping we might be able to earn some respect with a well played game and a win on Saturday.

I think we match up pretty well but we aren't as deep as you are. Our defense has been very good (primarily man but occasional zone) and the only thing I will dispute is a previous poster who said we aren't long and athletic. That is exactly what we are and that is why we have a chance. We are long, we are athletic and we do defend.

For my money, Paris Lee is the Valley MVP if the season eneded today. He will need to play like it on Saturday for the Birds to win.

Shox have the advantage in coaching, depth, big game experience. Athletically I think we are on par but the difference is the Shox have more of those elite athletes. I don't know if we'll win but I at least don't feel like it's an automatic loss like in years past. But..........you guys have every right to feel that it will be an easy W for you guys. Like I said---we haven't given you any reason to feel otherwise.

Should be a great game. I'd like to see us finally beat you guys again before you leave for greener pastures. I just hope that no matter what happens both fan bases can keep it above board and respectable. I would love to see this rivalry get re-ignited with hard fought, clean basketball. Only way that happens is if we start to compete and actually beat you guys some. Hopefully the bad blood from the recent past stays in the past.

safe travels to anyone heading to Normal and good luck---even though you don't need it. :)

GORL

Good to hear from you again. I think you have a nice team this year and will definitely be our toughest league game, especially on the road. I can see from posters on your board that this is indeed your Super Bowl this year. We look forward to your best shot and may the best team win.

[RoyalShock]

In Valley play the Redbirds have been holding opponents to 35.4% shooting (best in the league) and 33.3% 3FG (3rd in the league). That concerns me. WSU is shooting very well, so something has to give. That said . . .

Shocker Hall - 75
McLean County Jail - 70

[molly jabali]

In Valley play the Redbirds have been holding opponents to 35.4% shooting (best in the league) and 33.3% 3FG (3rd in the league). That concerns me. WSU is shooting very well, so something has to give. That said . . .

Shocker Hall - 75
McLean County Jail - 70

made me laugh!