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Well, it's a tougher overall schedule this year, but I will still predict a better winning pct.% than last year, buoyed by a better in-conference record (even though the Valley WILL be much improved this year). You know, watching Winthrop vs North Carolina in '07, I believe it was, I've seen what Gregg Marshall can do on a high level...that was a real eye-opener. I expect the Shockers to be solidly improved over last year, which wasn't bad at all, and win in the neighborhood of 28 to 30 games.
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I just went through my first look at how I think the games will turn out and scared myself - in a good way. I'm admittedly optimistic every year, and this year is no different.
I'm coming up with 25-4 going in to St. Louis and 16-2 in league play! With that record, we go dancing without winning in St. Louis. (Two 7' players helps pass the "eye test").
Missouri State is a sweep. The game in Springfield is the last game of the regular season. MSU is down in numbers of healthy players and 7 guys appear likely to get the bulk of the minutes. By the end of the season, those guys are going to be worn down. Depth and timing provides that sweep.
UNI is a split.
Then either CU or BU is a sweep. If I was really optimistic, I'd call both a sweep. Without Echinique, CU would be a sweep because of WSU's inside play and depth up front. Echinique should still be "breaking into" the lineup at CU when WSU goes to Omaha. That should be a winnable game. Reasonably favorable timing meeting CU in Omaha could provide WSA a sweep of CU.
Not even I could go for a sweep of MSU, CU, and BU, so I'm giving BU or CU a split - but not both.
That's 16-2 and probably a 2-game margin over 2nd place in the league. That's dancin' right there.
16-2 in Valley play is a tall order and I don't know if I'm ready to stick to that quite yet. Then I consider that Durley, Murry, and Stutz could all have breakout years.
Durley because he's a Sr. and he's still learning and applying things. A little bit of learning and application could take JT a long way.
Stutz because he's a year older and stronger. A little added strength and confidence could take Garrett a long ways.
Murry didn't show a lot of improvement between his Fr and So seasons, but was still a really good player for a So. If he's still got some advancement in his game and some of it shows up this year, he could be a terror.
Then 16-2 looks a lot more realistic.The future's so bright - I gotta wear shades.
We like to cut down nets and get sized for championship rings.Comment
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I'll think about the overall w/l record later. I'll just say this:
We sweep Creighton. I know, I know...we haven't done it...blah blah blah. I never buy into the past dictating the present. I'm strictly going with who I truely think the better team is and this year I think WSU is the better team regardless of venue. Plus, they are putting in a new system and I just don't think they have the horses this year.
We go 2-1 in Maui. I think we beat UConn and beat either Washington or Kentucky. I wouldn't feel comfortable enough to put money on it though. I wouldn't be shocked if we went 1-2, but I think the game against Washington or Kentucky is a toss up. If we are anywhere CLOSE to the Valley favorite this year we should beat UConn.
I think we will lose @ Missouri St, @ Bradley & @ (insert unexpected loss here). I don't think we trip up at home, although I'm sure we will have a few nailbiters as usual. So I'll go with 15-3 at best in the Valley. I don't see us doing worse than 14-4 though regardless. That would give us 2 losses against "lower tier" MVC programs. If we do worse than that, we don't win the Valley.
P.S. off topic but not worthy of a new thread. I'm thinking about heading up to the Kennesaw St vs Creighton game this year. I can get free tickets as my wife's cousin is one of the assistants. Who is with me? LOL I'm gonna wear my WSU gear...after all it's the same colors as Kennesaw St. Plus it'll piss off the Creighton fans, which is always fun. ;)"He called me around noon and was thrilled," Brandt said. "He said he was going to be a Shocker forever." -- RIP Guy, you WILL indeed be a Shocker forever!Comment
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Here's the deal. FSF did his homework. Common sense tells me we will not be undefeated at home this Season but very, very hard to beat. The Valley looks tough and I think our depth and experience will result in an improved road record. 14-4 in the Valley which should make us Champions and 23-7 overall before St. Louie. We must take at least 2nd there but pla--eeeeese win it all at the Lou. I am not comfee at all with others deciding our fate. Let's determine our own destiny.
We can not afford to lose Valley games to a last place team that has not won any other Valley games as last Season. The undefeated regular Season at home was a bright spot, but we MUST also prevail on the road this Season.
Okay, let's say the above predictions are accurate from an eternal optimist. Then what? We better take at least 2nd in St. Louie, Louie, or our hearts will be crestfallen and we will be NIT bound. What do I think will really happen? Way back when, we have pointed to THIS Season as being OUR TIME TO DANCE. Thus, pass the black and gold kool aide because I predict the Shocks will march to the Big Dance In March and even win a game or 2. Can u dig it? Groovy!!! That's all.Shocker basketball will forever be my favorite team in all of sports.Comment
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That doesn't get old...Comment
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Spot On, FSF. :good:Originally posted by forevershockerfanComment
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Originally posted by shockerfan
No offense, but even if it's Joan of Ark night at the rented Husker gym and they are promoting a come dressed as a mime Jamar Howard while impersonating P'Unk best technical memory while your personal selection of BJ coeds engage in a 5 on 1 version of Why Creighton Girls Love the Shocker Seminar, I am afraid I'll be a no show.
But please enjoy yourself.
:wsu_posters: :goshocks: :posterwu: :posterwsu:Comment
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I will, but only because I get to piss off Creighton fans in their own "house" for free. I would probably be going to Omaha anyway to see my wife's cousin, who we don't get to see often as it is. Since I'm gonna be there anyway, I may as well have some fun of my own LOL. But I understand your take and I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for that.Originally posted by WuDrWu"He called me around noon and was thrilled," Brandt said. "He said he was going to be a Shocker forever." -- RIP Guy, you WILL indeed be a Shocker forever!Comment
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I sincerely doubt you will piss off many Jays fans by wearing Shocker gear to a game against Kennesaw Mountain Landis State Northeastern Technical Institute. Rather, just like the games you guys have against cupcakes, you'll probably have to wake Creighton fans up from their slumber just to have them notice you in the first place.... If you are looking to make a splash or cause a scene, you will be severely disappointed.Originally posted by shockerfanComment
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I predict we will beat our cupcakes. Beyond that I got nothin'.Wichita State, home of the All-Americans.Comment
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Don't forget, forevershockerfan (FSF), Evansville beat Wichita State and Northern Iowa too last year. :shock: And , as you know, Northern Iowa turned around and beat Kansas. :yes: So, we'll give the Valley credit.. nothing comes easy. But I just like it that Marshall has a veteran team, finally, of his own players, coached only by him in their major college careers.
UConn will be tough. Calhoun doesn't have two bad years in a row, and Walker is legitimate 1st team All-American material, without a doubt. Calhoun could build a very good team around an ultra-talented point guard like that. WSU needs to come into that game like this- :-xComment
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I'm happy to hear that no one thinks about the team having one of those "da" games, where nothing clicks, bad clock management or a stupid pass or "can't hit the trey" will get in the way of a victory.Comment
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I don't feel that UCONN will be any better than last year. in fact, I believe they will be worse.Originally posted by another shocker
Kemba Walker is legit.
6 freshmen? uhhhh... no so much.
3 of their 4 best players do not return.
Stanley Robinson.
Jerome dyson
Gavin Edwards. (i never thought Gavin was that good, BUT he played alot of minutes, which helped him score more and get more rebounds)
UCONN is looking down again this year.
one of their freshmen i remember reading about, apparently quite good.
so now we have"
kemba walker + one good freshmen + 5 (relatively) average freshmen - 2 players that had been starting and eating tons of minutes since they were sophomores = slightly worse than last year.
thats how i feel about it.
I wouldn't get too worked up about them. obviously, I don't want the players to overlook the game and they certainly won't due to the name alone, BUT we ARE the better team. the more experienced team. and, between realists, the favored team.
a look at this years roster
if i had more time, i'd look up the expectations of their freshmen.veni, vidi, viciComment
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Winners treat all opponents with a healthy degree of respect, and resistance, notquiteBWING. Krwyczeski has been pumping that very formula better than ANY OTHER COACH, in all of big time coaching, at DUKE, love them or hate them, for thirty years now. I would hope they come at UConn and Michigan St. like this- :-x I would hope they come at Evansville and Alabama A&M like this- :-x If they should stumble, I would hope they bounce back like this- :-xComment
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if they don't, Shocker fans will be :cry:Originally posted by another shockerComment
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