Orlando Expectations

[shockar25]

Georgetown, Maryland, Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, Sienna, Wichita State, Michigan State, Tennessee

[shocker22]

Well...it will be good expereince for our guys right off the bat and they will know very quickly what it takes to contend in Div. 1 basketball.

[calfan]

I expect them to lose all three. Any wins would be major victories.
This is a tough field. WSU has a lot of new players.

[BostonWu]

Just play competitive ball.

[rrshock]

Georgetown, Maryland, Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, Sienna, Wichita State, Michigan State, Tennessee

Looking at this field, it all comes down to who we get matched up with.

Oklahoma St. is a program that you never know what you're gonna get. Especially if they have a new coach.

Maryland... well let's just say Gary Williams doesn't have a program that looks really great on the outside now. They have had lots of turnover with players too.

Sienna is also a team that could come out swinging or be a team that you can beat into submission. But they will still be tough none the less.

Georgetown, like mentioned before is rebuilding too. That could be good for a young Shocker team to get ahold of right off the bat and possibly build some confidence.

Tennessee can be really good. I expect them to start the year off pretty well, but who really knows, right?

I really don't know much about Michigan St. How'd they do last year? And did they lose alot of players. Izzo is a good coach and should have his team, regardless of changes, ready to go in November.

And Gonzaga. They're always tough. Don't really want them in the first round. Could be bad news for a young team.

So with my thoughts, I say that if they get ahold of the right team to begin with, it is possible for them to win 2 games. Beating a big name team right off the bat could really do wonders for these guys.

But I honestly believe we will get matched up with Tennessee, head straight to the losers bracket and get a win on the last day. So 1 win is what I think will happen.

[SpanglerFan316]

I expect them to lose all three. Any wins would be major victories.
This is a tough field. WSU has a lot of new players.

My thoughts exactly. I expect the team to grow as a result of this experience and I expect the payoff to come in March (2009), when we win the Valley tourney. :D

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Im hoping we match up with Maryland the first round. They dont have enough players to field a team.

The victory is ours.

[shox8498]

Regardless of what happens, my hopes are that nobody comes home limping, in a cast, with a concussion, contusion, or otherwise hobbling.

I want us to be healthy for the Valley season, with as much confidence, and as many non-con wins, as we can accumulate.

In short -
1. NO INJURIES
2. LOTS OF CONFIDENCE AND CHEMISTRY

[shocks771]

Im hoping we match up with Maryland the first round. They dont have enough players to field a team.

The victory is ours.

Speaking of Maryland, here's an interesting article that I found.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3469331

[SpanglerFan316]

I'd be willing to see WSU win a national title and risk a slide back down to our current situation. :D

[Zardoz]

One win with the possibility of two. This is the kind of situation in which our coach thrives.

[Yellow Snow]

I hope we keep all three games within ten points and dont get embarassed.

[ShoxCO94]

I just hope are games are respectful and we are competitive. If we win a game or two all the better. Either way I will be wearing black and gold proudly while riding space mountain.

[ShockerPrez]

I don't see any wins in this field. But then again, I really don't have the foggiest on what we have in this squad, but I haven't been this excited in newcomers in a long, long time.

3 games against quality teams is what we need at this stage in the program, and we are going to get it.

Does anyone know if the games are going to be on TV anywhere?

[SubGod22]

I believe ESPN shows this tournament but I'm not positive.