WSU VERSUS ILLINOIS STATE PREDICTIONS AND PREGAME TALK

[REALBird]

Gotta agree with my Redbird brethren....this game scares the crap out of me! The Shocks are athletic and ISU has a difficult time matching up with other athletic teams. One of the few reasons I think this game will be decided by less than 3-4 points.

The key to this game will be how Shipley handles the full-court press by WSU, and whether he can knock down early shots like he did against Drake.

I'd like to see ISU go with a more conventional lineup against the Shocks of Shipley, Eldridge, Oguchi, Thornton and Odiakosa....but I know Jank won't change a thing.

D@MN!!!! I just don't like how Oguchi and Eldridge have to match up against Clemente and Murry! You guys have a hellava team...should be a good one!

FWIW...gotta agree with Phantom and GORL. The Nation of Shock is by far my 2nd fav. fanbase and I got mad love for WSU when they're not playing ISU.

Good Luck...and let's hope we can get through with no injuries on both sides.

[ShockRef]

Gotta agree with my Redbird brethren....this game scares the crap out of me! The Shocks are athletic and ISU has a difficult time matching up with other athletic teams. One of the few reasons I think this game will be decided by less than 3-4 points.

The key to this game will be how Shipley handles the full-court press by WSU, and whether he can knock down early shots like he did against Drake.

I'd like to see ISU go with a more conventional lineup against the Shocks of Shipley, Eldridge, Oguchi, Thornton and Odiakosa....but I know Jank won't change a thing.

D@MN!!!! I just don't like how Oguchi and Eldridge have to match up against Clemente and Murry! You guys have a hellava team...should be a good one!

FWIW...gotta agree with Phantom and GORL. The Nation of Shock is by far my 2nd fav. fanbase and I got mad love for WSU when they're not playing ISU.

Good Luck...and let's hope we can get through with no injuries on both sides.

It's a good thing when other teams primary posters can stop by before a game and provide legit insight and conduct themselves as adults.
It's also the reason why we share a beverage or two with ISU supporters in STL and enjoy hoops discussion. It's good time for all.
GORL, Phantom and Real are always welcome here and other school posters need to observe and learn. 8)

[RoyalShock]

There's just something about ISU and its fans that you can't dislike, even though their coach is a former Kitty and Beaker. (But he did coach at my juco alma-mater, so I guess that makes up for it.)

Being rivals of Bradley probably helps!

Speaking of Jankovich, here are some comments from today's Hutch News.

http://www.hutchnews.com/Sports/shockers2009-02-17T22-21-11

[1972Shocker]

The Shocks have not shown me enough on the road to give me any great confidence that they can upset Illinois State on the road.

In ICT the Shocks did a fabulous job containing Osiris and IIRC they absolutely took Champ out of the game. Hard to believe the Shocks will be able to duplicate that tonight as I expect Osiris and Champ to get back to a more Normal outing.

Personally, I think the key tonight is whether the Shocks can have a decent offensive game and can make some shots.

I expect ILS to score around 70 even if we play decent defense. To overcome that the Shocks will definitely need a good offensive game.

[moshock]

I keep reading that this game is televised. Is it local Wichita or available on satellite. I'll hang up and listen.

:wsu_posters:

[SubGod22]

KS22

[RoyalShock]

moshock, I believe it's on Kansas Now 22.

[WuDrWu]

The Shocks have not shown me enough on the road to give me any great confidence that they can upset Illinois State on the road.

In ICT the Shocks did a fabulous job containing Osiris and IIRC they absolutely took Champ out of the game. Hard to believe the Shocks will be able to duplicate that tonight as I expect Osiris and Champ to get back to a more Normal outing.

Personally, I think the key tonight is whether the Shocks can have a decent offensive game and can make some shots.

I expect ILS to score around 70 even if we play decent defense. To overcome that the Shocks will definitely need a good offensive game.

In no way, shape or form did we contain O in the first half. In fact, if not for a really good timekeeper, I'm not sure we come back from what would have been 10 down instead of 7. I think he had 10 at half and it could have been 25.

We have to move forward and play with our hearts and our heads for 40 minutes to have even a chance to beat a quality team on the road.

The NEXT time it happens will be the FIRST time it's happened. Count me as still skeptical....optimistic, but skeptical. Now if somehow we were to win.......

[RoyalShock]

This is a huge game from the standpoint that a win puts us pretty much where we thought we'd be in the Valley, albeit not by the route we expected. And it would give us major momentum heading into the last few games.

A loss (as long as it's not a blowout and we compete with solid effort) doesn't really mean much. This is a geme that, on paper, we should lose.

[moshock]

moshock, I believe it's on Kansas Now 22.

For some reason, I can't get the local Springfield channels to carry that station.

:wsu_posters:

[Phantom]

It's also the reason why we share a beverage or two with ISU supporters in STL and enjoy hoops discussion. It's good time for all.
GORL, Phantom and Real are always welcome here and other school posters need to observe and learn. 8)

Much appreciated. I've been able to have a few cold ones with Shocker fans at some establishments in STL the last few years and hopefully will again this year too. It's always a pleasure and always good basketball discussion.

[ShockerFever]

Redbird fans = classiest fanbase of the Valley. No doubt about it. I'm glad REALbird has joined up the discussions as well. Can't get enough of these guys.

Now as for the game itself, it's just not realistic to think we're going to go to Normal and get the win. All I want to see is a 'good' road game for once. At least play 'good' basketball and act like you give a damn. So many times this year, our team brings these lackluster road efforts when the games matter so much. Hopefully now that they realize they're in the middle of a heated race to stay out of Thursday night, that they'll start playing like it.

ISU has too many athletes and too many good shooters to contain. The Redbirds are also trying to stay with CU in the battle for 2nd, and trying to stay ahead of BU for 3rd. They have just as much at stake as we do. I hope we keep it close.

But as Royal said, this is a loss on paper, so don't be too disappointed with an L..

With that said:

WSU 62
ISU 73

And yes, I hope I'm wrong, just for the record.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

I think the Shox open up on a team that is coming back together.

The Shox lead from the start and win going away 65-51.

ISU is a good team, and capable of winning Valley tourney. They do not, however, match up well with the Shox.

And for the record...I hope I'm RIGHT!!
:goshocks:

[KC Shox]

With Kyles out, our defense will be too slow to keep up at their place. We lose 75 - 59.

[Rosewood]

We win, 65 (thousand) to 55