Here's how it breaks down now after Wednesday's games

[Aargh]

SF, you need to make an appointment with a Doctor. Tell the Doctor that you seriously need a testosterone supplement.

Right now InSt is much better than SIU. InSt was probably better when we beat them in Terre Haute than SIU now. SIU just got a road W over a team that's been in free fall for a month (with the exception of one game).

SIU does not play "Saluki ugly ball" this year. SIU can't play a heavy fouling game or they run out of players. WSU fans should recognize the problem of playing with 8 players. We saw it first-hand last year.

We get the 5 seed.

[ShockerFever]

SF, you need to make an appointment with a Doctor. Tell the Doctor that you seriously need a testosterone supplement.

Right now InSt is much better than SIU. InSt was probably better when we beat them in Terre Haute than SIU now. SIU just got a road W over a team that's been in free fall for a month (with the exception of one game).

SIU does not play "Saluki ugly ball" this year. SIU can't play a heavy fouling game or they run out of players. WSU fans should recognize the problem of playing with 8 players. We saw it first-hand last year.

We get the 5 seed.

I don't care how many players they're down to. Drake just came off a freakin win AT UNI.

You conveniently left out the following factors out of the equation:
- SIU has already proven they're capable of handling us in Wichita (8 players, 10 players, whatever)
- Our stellar road record
- Our stellar 10 year history in Carbondale
- Their senior night
- Their fight to stay out of Thursday

You're so blind Argh, it's not even funny. What'd ya do? Stab yourself in the eyes with one of your darts?

[T.VuOP]

SF,
Did you know SIU doesn't have Mullins?

[ShockerFever]

SF,
Did you know SIU doesn't have Mullins?

I did TV.

Didn't stop them from upsetting a Drake team, on the road, who had a 2 game winning streak, and in their last Valley outing, won at league leader UNI.

[ShockRef]

"The sky is falling. The sky is falling."
SF has to take the cake for the infamous title of Mr. Negative in the history of SN.
He makes Debbie Downer look like a ray of sunshine.
Give it a rest. 8)

[C0|dB|00ded]

You conveniently left out the following factors out of the equation:
- SIU has already proven they're capable of handling us in Wichita (8 players, 10 players, whatever)

Are you trying to say that today's Shocker team is comparable to the Shocker team that played SIU-C at the beginning of the season? :whistle:


T


...8)

[T.VuOP]

Are you trying to say that today's Shocker team is comparable to the Shocker team that played SIU-C at the beginning of the season? :whistle:


T


...8)

In addition, SIU without Mullins is not the same as when they played us earlier. :yahoo:

[ShockerFever]

"The sky is falling. The sky is falling."
SF has to take the cake for the infamous title of Mr. Negative in the history of SN.
He makes Debbie Downer look like a ray of sunshine.
Give it a rest. 8)

Yes. We should all predict a WSU victory. That would make for a very funnnn siteeee.

(Yes, I'm only doing it to be garnered "Mr. Negative in the history of SN", not because I actually think it's gonna happen".

Woe on meee.

[ShockerFever]

You conveniently left out the following factors out of the equation:
- SIU has already proven they're capable of handling us in Wichita (8 players, 10 players, whatever)

Are you trying to say that today's Shocker team is comparable to the Shocker team that played SIU-C at the beginning of the season? :whistle:


T


...8)

No not at all. I'm just simply pointing out that we didn't match up well with them at home. Of course, we were playing differently then. Of course, our road play has remained the same throughout though. :whistle:

[WSUwatcher]

Cherry picker

Fever, you've earned your scorn by carefully choosing to respond to Ref's mockery while ignoring the very legitimate and substantive points made by Cold and the Preacher. In fact, the Shocks are a much better team than the one SIU played in Wichita; and, in fact, SIU without (or with a very limited) Mullins is not as good a team as they were back then.

Whether that's enough to swing the game, we'll see. WSU still hasn't done much to prove itself on the road, and actually has the worst true road record of any team in the Valley. But the fact remains that what SIU "proved" in Wichita is largely irrelevant to Saturday's game.

[ShockerFever]

Ok, that's 1 point that should be taken off the board. The other 4 are still valid.

[GO_SHOCKERS]

I'm gonna be cheering for the boys to no end on Saturday..

but things are looking bleak..


You guys are right though. No way did I think we'd be in this position a month ago. That's a good way to look at it.

We just need to get this season over with and carry our second half into the beginning of next year.

Gosh darn it.. and to think I thought we actually had a chance to do something special if we could've avoided Thursday. Effing DRAKE! :-x

http://www.hulu.com/watch/19280/saturday-night-live-debbie-downer-birthday-party

[tropicalshox]

The Shockers pretty much have a must win before them. I like that. Every game thereafter is a must win. I'm feeling pretty good on how this team responds to pressure these days.

Whatever happens, we should be pretty good next year. No way the poor start that put us in a hole reoccurs.

[SFL]

I'm gonna be cheering for the boys to no end on Saturday..

but things are looking bleak..


You guys are right though. No way did I think we'd be in this position a month ago. That's a good way to look at it.

We just need to get this season over with and carry our second half into the beginning of next year.

Gosh darn it.. and to think I thought we actually had a chance to do something special if we could've avoided Thursday. Effing DRAKE! :-x

http://www.hulu.com/watch/19280/satu...birthday-party

Go, that's a classic!

:good: :good:

[Steeleshocker]

I'll bite...

You conveniently left out the following factors out of the equation:
- SIU has already proven they're capable of handling us in Wichita (8 players, 10 players, whatever)
- Our stellar road record
- Our stellar 10 year history in Carbondale
- Their senior night
- Their fight to stay out of Thursday

The first point has been addressed. The second is pretty valid, although we did beat InSt in their house right before they went off and won 5 straight.

The third point about the 10 year history in Carbondale is a ridiculous stat that means absolutely nothing. It's only something fans talk about. How many of those games were the players and coaches of both teams involved in? This means nothing to the current team chemistry and importance of winning the game.

Point 4: Their senior won't play. Maybe they'll try some rally around the gipper thing, but the most important player on their team is not playing. Maybe he tries to inspire his teammates by stepping out there for a few minutes, but he's largely a liability since he physically cannot play to his usual level. Also, I think this point is overshadowed by point 5. Both teams effort will be high because they are still playing for something, largely overshadowing the "senior night" mantra.

Point 5: We have the same desire, so I consider that a wash.

Here's the way I see it...

The Good:
1) The game means something. THIS SEASON, our team has responded to pressure well. 2 last second 3's to win, holding off several opponents with clutch free throws, etc.

2) SIU is down to eight players, and some of those aren't even full strength. With our depth and athletecism we should pound it inside and drive to the lane with purpose. This is what Drake attempted to do, but they couldn't make point blank shots or layups.

3) This is not the SIU defense of old, SIU still struggles offensively, and Drake isn't nearly as effective as we can be offensively. If Drake is hot from 3, they can't be beat, but when that shot disappears, so do their wins. Our team is more versatile, being able to play inside and hit the mid-range jumper.

The Bad

1) It is on the road in likely a very hostile environment, because of the Thursday scenario. We won't be as comfortable shooting the ball.

2) SIU has some very talented young players who are stepping up. Bocot and Dillard have to be shut down to win this game.

Honestly, I think if we just stay close through the first 25-30 minutes of the game, we can pull away down the stretch. And if we build a lead early, that would take the crowd out of it, but I don't quite see that happening on the road.