Shocks vs. Redbirds - Pregame thread

[RoyalShock]

Now that we're a couple of days removed from the big win it's time to set our sights on the Redbirds.

ISU's Odiakosa and Sampay are much better than Lawson and Walker.

Eldridge and Oguchi > > > > Stin'nett and Woodfox. Those ISU guys will not roll over in a game like Stin'nett did.

I see three possible outcomes:

- If we play a carbon copy of the CU game, we lose by < 5.

- If we build on that by reducing our turnovers and hitting FTs, we win by < 5.

- If we have a letdown, we lose by 10-15.

If I had to predict one of the three, I'll go with the close loss.

Now, Shocks, go and prove me wrong, just like you did against CU!

[jocoshock]

White or Gold Jerseys < Black

But the Shox will need to do what you said. Maintain intensity, improve on TOs and FTs.

I am optimistic. Shox win by < 5

[ShockerGorilla]

Shockers 69
Redbirds 64

Shockers pick up where they left off on Saturday. Rebound City!!

:posterwu:

[Phantom]

Greetings Shox fans...been awhile.

Well, it's time once again for my Redbirds and your Shockers to engage in what will surely be another tough battle. I've said all season that I think you guys are better than your record indicates and no doubt you have gotten a lot of confidence back after thumping CU the other day.

I had a tough time trying to predict an outcome here. We have struggled on the road in conference so far, especially in defensive, physical, grinder-type games and that's likely what we are in for at the Roundhouse. No doubt you guys will be ready for us, I just hope we are too. It should be a heck of a game either way, as lots of Birds/Shox games have come to be in recent years. I hope we can pull out a win, but we have our work more than cut out for us in this one. Here's to hoping we have another clean, hardfought, safe game.

PS---one of these days I hope to catch a Redbirds/Shockers game in Wichita. I've always wanted to see a game at your place and I know Ghost of Rick Lamb and several other Redbird fans have too. Maybe if we have a weekend game there next year...

[ShockerNut2305]

i think that we will take the momentum from the cu game and pull this one out
Shockers: 65
Redbirds: 60

[SubGod22]

Phantom, I hope you guys get your chance to make it out here in the near future. At some point I'd like to get to where I could take some road trips with the Shox as well. It'd be fun. And ISU would be at the top.

As far as the game goes I agree with what Royal said. Saturdays game should show these guys what is needed from them to compete in college basketball. I think they'll keep it up but fall just short.

My favorite team - 68

My 2nd favorite team - 72

[ShockTalk]

The Birds are a team that can be had, particularly on the road. They have not been near as daunting as their 16-2 record might lead one to believe.

In their favor is that they do seem to be very talented and have won most of their close games (even if those games shouldn't have been that close).

They have two big victories: the blowouts of Creighton and Evansville at home. They lost to Indiana St in overtime and went to overtime to beat MSU, both on the road. They beat Drake by 4 at home. Their non-conference schedule had to be one of the weakest you'll ever see. Two independents who have a 6-28 combined record, the other 9 teams combined for 47-58 non-con with ICU having the best non-con at 7-3, but are now 2-5 in the Horizon. Four of Ill St non-con games were won by an average of less than 6 points.

Come on Shox! Now that you've had BJs for lunch, let's have Cardinals (Redbirds) for dinner.

:clap: :wsu_posters: :clap:

[RoyalShock]

A couple of keys I see from looking at the stats for conference games only are rebounding and turnover margin.

ISU appears to be a pretty good rebounding team. We sure aren't going to outrebound them by 27.

And they lead the league in turnover margin (+2.71). We are dead last at -4.0.

They also lead the league in made 3FG (9 per game and 3FG attempts with 164 (23.4 per game, which seems like an awful lot). The Shocks have attempted 122 (17.4 per game). Our 3FG percentages are very close at 38.4 (ISU) and 37.7 (WSU).

In looking at their road losses (1-2 on the road, winning at MSU and losing at BU and InSU), they shot poorly from the 3-pt line (combined 12-48) and did not outrebound their opponents.

So there are our keys to victory: limit our turnovers, hit our FTs, rebound and play good perimeter defense, particularly on Oguchi and Eldridge.

[ShockerGorilla]

So there are our keys to victory: limit our turnovers, hit our FTs, rebound and play good perimeter defense, particularly on Oguchi and Eldridge.

I believe our turnover problems are going to plague us the rest of the year. The games we win will be despite the turnovers, much like the Creighton game. Our FTs will improve.

:goshocks:

[WuDrWu]

As much as I want to be excited about Saturday's game, there are 2 stats I cannot shake....

We are last in turnovers.

We are last in free throws taken.


Good/winning teams do not have these stats.

[Shox21]

So there are our keys to victory: limit our turnovers, hit our FTs, rebound and play good perimeter defense, particularly on Oguchi and Eldridge.

Sounds obvious doesn't it Royal. Now all we have to do is convince a certain 15 young men of this.

[Ta town]

Shox fall behind double digits early. Battle back within 2 buckets or so before finally running out of juice. Redbirds win by double digits due to the need to foul late.

[SpanglerFan316]

If the Shocks play with 100% effort (and at least as hard as against Creighton), I don't think ISU can handle our physical game. I think Murry and Hatch can guard OE and CO fairly well. If GS can stay out of foul trouble and JT plays smart and hard, I think we win the battle at center.

If we play with heart, I think the Shocks win by 6+. If not, WSU loses by 10+.

[Ghost of Rick Lamb]

Hey Shocker Fans!!!

It's that time again. Our annual trip to my 2nd fav Valley squad with the best fans in the Valley. I will echo my buddy Phantom's sentiments especially the part about someday getting to The Roundhouse to watch our teams play. When the sched comes out next year if we have a weekend game I will really try to make it happen.

As far as this game goes I think it's a toss up. WSU will be flying high after their big win over the Jays. I watched a good portion of that game and your team looked tough, determined, physical and much improved from last year.

I think it's a 3-5 point game either way. The Birds need to keep Odiakosa and Sampay out of foul trouble to have a chance. If these 2 struggle it's a long night for ISU. Odiakosa has been a good barometer for the Birds this season. When he goes well it's usually a good sign for ISU. One thing to look for is that OE is due for a big game. He's been a bit up and down since the flu ran through him and most of the team a couple weeks back. He needs a big game for the Birds to win.

The team that wins the rebounding battle and makes their FT's wins this game as I think it will be close.

The game should be entertaining and close. Have fun and may the best team win. I wish this game was on TV. I love watching televised games from The Roundhouse.

Anyway good luck and AFTER Wednesday Night............... :goshocks:

:D

[SubGod22]

No TV for you guys? That sucks. I believe we have it on locally. I'll be recording it and hope to enjoy it live.