Shocks vs Salukies GAME Thread

[Bluzrover]

MM might finally be scoring enough for us to get somebody on the Valley First Team. He looks effortless when he does these things. I still think he's under-appreciated around here.

Man, I have to admit that I wasn't completely on the MM for POY bandwagon but he just goes about his business somewhat quietly and methodically. Imagine what his numbers would be if we had an eight or nine man rotation.

Lappas kept talking about how deep Marshall goes into his bench and how he never could play that many when he was coaching. Of course, Lappas was never a National COY was he?

[Bluzrover]

He won't get the kudos of the last 2 games, but I was still impressed with Shaq tonight. He was drawing 3 defenders. I'm counting it as 3 good games in a row. Still several more to go to convince it's here to stay, but a good start.

I was surprised that he missed at least three of his shots under the basket but I agree with you. I think he had another outstanding game and SIU was definitely keying on him. I never saw the final stat but at one point we scored something like 42 points in the paint. And I think only about 8 or 10 of that was from fast breaks. I thought the guards did a great job at feeding the post players.

[Bluzrover]

I didn't expect the beat down we witnessed last night but I also didn't expect SIU to be down one starter and a key bench player. I think had they played, the difference would have been maybe 15 points. Maybe.

Great to see CJ in there getting some valuable playing time and making the most of it. And, true to 3G form, as soon as CJ made a silly pass and turned the ball over, he found himself on the bench.

I will dispute anyone who tries to tell me Conner can't play defense. He had a stellar game last night and, as it turns out, we don't need him to rain threes on our opponents all the time. The occasional ball-busting deep downtown three is just fine.

Willis had a much better game but how much of that is his own making or the talent of the opposing players is hard to say. But the quick spin move under the basket was other worldly.

Loved seeing Rauno beating EVERYONE down the court on that fast break.

And I apologize to SN for bringing up the sideline talent on these national broadcasts. I thought Fox had a winning formula but whoa, good on ya CBS Sports.

[BOBB]

Man, I have to admit that I wasn't completely on the MM for POY bandwagon but he just goes about his business somewhat quietly and methodically. Imagine what his numbers would be if we had an eight or nine man rotation.

Lappas kept talking about how deep Marshall goes into his bench and how he never could play that many when he was coaching. Of course, Lappas was never a National COY was he?

Barring some kind of disaster for Paris Lee (senior, a lot of minutes, not on WSU roster) or an outright explosion by MM, POY is not in the cards. Making a great case for 1st Team MVC though.

Lappas had a pretty good career, but no COY. To his point, I would venture our bench shortens up in close games. Great to get game minutes to the end of your bench when you can. Never know when fouls, injuries, or academics will have two of your regulars sitting on the pine.

[pogo]

The play MM glided along the baseline for an up an under lay in reminded of CleAnthony. He is really starting to look more at ease and graceful on the court.

[ShockTalk]

Starting to see Shamet at the 3 on occasions and tonight, Keyser played some 2 early.

Hamilton was still Hamilton at moments, but how anyone can say he was sliding down further after going 3-5 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1-1 FT, 4 rebounds, 8 points in just 5 minutes against SIU regulars (Rodriguez and O'Brien were in the whole time and Bol most of the time) just isn't right.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Willis had a much better game but how much of that is his own making or the talent of the opposing players is hard to say. But the quick spin move under the basket was other worldly.

You got that right. The defender could only look and admire.

[ShockerPrez]

The play MM glided along the baseline for an up an under lay in reminded of CleAnthony. He is really starting to look more at ease and graceful on the court.

I always thought he is Cleanthony with 2 additional years under GM.

[Ricardo del Rio]

I sorta hate to hang a 40+ point loss on a team, especially one coached by Coach Hinson.

The Shocks played 16 players. Even when the last five were in the game, the margin increased.

Coach Hinson looked very beat down, when he was in the "good game line." I imagine he expected to lose by 15-20 points, but 40 points leads to accelerated aging and depression.

[Dan]

For the most part, Hamilton did the right things with his time last night. His rebounding was great. In a real game, 3G would not be happy with his two 12'+ fade away jumpers. But overall, I was glad to see him play in control and within the scheme of the game.

[chitown_shocker]

MM and our big men were really keying in on running the floor last night. It seemed a pretty obvious match up issue that was drilled into them this week in practice. SIUs bigs is slow and slow to get back and loses their man in transition.

Maybe I'm not paying attention, but MM also seemed to grab the ball and go a bit more - I think that could be a big part of his college game. A little point-forward action.

Or maybe SIU just made these things obvious and I have been oblivious (delusional?).

[pinstripers]

Was not talking about his performance (which was really good), but his positioning on the bench. He is now clearly number 12.

[ShockdaWorld]

I have to disagree about "more of the same old Shaq". He struggled to get the ball to go in the bucket in the first half, and he got a little frustrated because he got hammered a couple of times and got no call. None of those things took away from his effort, his aggressiveness, or him staying mentally in the game. As long as he continues to bring those three things, I think "same old Shaq" is a thing to stay in the past.

[ShoxRoxMySox]

Anyone have a link to Barry's post game press conference ? I bet it's a good one

I did catch this, which was entertaining.

"We could have had Jesus on our squad tonight and I don't know if it would've mattered," head coach Barry Hinson said. "I know the Lord works miracles, but we would've needed a really big one tonight."

[Dave Stalwart]

I did catch this, which was entertaining.

"We could have had Jesus on our squad tonight and I don't know if it would've mattered," head coach Barry Hinson said. "I know the Lord works miracles, but we would've needed a really big one tonight."

I like that guy a lot. I hope he stays around but I don't know how long he has left. It does seem like he has had general improvement but I don't know if it will be enough

I'm talking about Hinson, not Jesus by the way :)