POLL WATCH

[ShockerFever]

I'll save KCShox the trouble.


This is NOT a top 25 team. Yes, it has the potential to be a Top 25 team, and maybe even higher, but in my humble opinion has done little to warrant that kind of attention, at least to this point.

With how this team played at times on the road and after we lost one of our most important and influential players, I will completely agree with this. We're gonna be good, I feel. I think we have some serious potential. However, at this time, I do not believe we're the 21st best team in the nation.

I do appreciate the Katz love though.

[Aargh]

On paper this is a better team than the S16 team.

The S16 team was so thin in the front court, that the most minor problem could have been fatal - but that didn't happen.

The S16 team had some incredible chemistry and was probably better than this year's team if you just look at the starters.

This year's WSU squad is a legitimate top-25 team.

[another shocker]

I don't know. UNI got the shaft, finishing at #13 in the final polls last year. WSU might be underrated. :-x

[Capitol Shock]

I agree. Northern Iowa did get the shaft and we had four losses last year by four points or less.

I know we haven't proven anything yet and neither has anyone else. For those reasons I think WSU should be a top 20 team.

However, this ranking will serve as motivation so there's nothing wrong with that.

[wufan]

The top end of this team's success will be heavily weighted on the PG running an efficient offense, and the guards ability to hit open threes. Those two things fall into place and we will be a site to behold. Without it, we're just dangerous.

[Ashockalypse]

I agree wu. Our inside game will open up Toure, David, Hatch, Ben, DWill, Tyler and Joe the shots. For us to kill people will depend on an improvement in everyone's percentage improving. If we shoot real well, we will literally run away from teams.

[Snapshot9]

I agree, so many past frustrating losses were because of a lack of 'Offensive punch' to our team. We seem to fall into lull periods when we lack the ability to score. This is one reason in recruiting that I take a cautious eye towards anyone we recruit that doesn't have a good perimeter shot, especially guards.

I just don't care to have the player that takes 3 years of hard work to have a decent year when he is a Senior. I want the player that adapts fast to D-1 ball and is good in his Sophmore year.

[wufan]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

[BOBB]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

The key to ending a scoring drought is having the kind of player(s) capable of making a bucket when the system breaks down. We haven't really had that in a while. I think we have a few players with the potential to do that. Unshakeable point guard play helps too.

[Kung Wu]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

The key to ending a scoring drought is having the kind of player(s) capable of making a bucket when the system breaks down. We haven't really had that in a while. I think we have a few players with the potential to do that. Unshakeable point guard play helps too.

Hatch comes to mind. He seems unflappable. His shooting hasn't always been consistent, but he seems unfazed and able to focus when the momentum has shifted the wrong way. If he gets his shot dialed in, he'd be the exact guy to lean on.

[Maggie]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

The key to ending a scoring drought is having the kind of player(s) capable of making a bucket when the system breaks down. We haven't really had that in a while. I think we have a few players with the potential to do that. Unshakeable point guard play helps too.

Hatch comes to mind. He seems unflappable. His shooting hasn't always been consistent, but he seems unfazed and able to focus when the momentum has shifted the wrong way. If he gets his shot dialed in, he'd be the exact guy to lean on.

Can Hatch create his own shot consistently? I think that is the point. Maybe I am wrong but I don’t see Hatch breaking down too many defenders. He would be a good option for a penetrating guard though (and I think he will be).

[The Mad Hatter]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

The key to ending a scoring drought is having the kind of player(s) capable of making a bucket when the system breaks down. We haven't really had that in a while. I think we have a few players with the potential to do that. Unshakeable point guard play helps too.

Hatch comes to mind. He seems unflappable. His shooting hasn't always been consistent, but he seems unfazed and able to focus when the momentum has shifted the wrong way. If he gets his shot dialed in, he'd be the exact guy to lean on.

Can Hatch create his own shot consistently? I think that is the point. Maybe I am wrong but I don’t see Hatch breaking down too many defenders. He would be a good option for a penetrating guard though (and I think he will be).

Toure' and J.T. are the two guys that come to mind in this role. It is also why most of the end of shot-clock/end of game plays that Marshall draws up involves getting the ball to one of those two.

[Maggie]

All teams go through droughts. It is a game of runs. It just seems like the Shockers do more than most because WSU is OUR team! Our heart is in every possession.

The key is to shorten our droughts and extend the oppositions.

The key to ending a scoring drought is having the kind of player(s) capable of making a bucket when the system breaks down. We haven't really had that in a while. I think we have a few players with the potential to do that. Unshakeable point guard play helps too.

Hatch comes to mind. He seems unflappable. His shooting hasn't always been consistent, but he seems unfazed and able to focus when the momentum has shifted the wrong way. If he gets his shot dialed in, he'd be the exact guy to lean on.

Can Hatch create his own shot consistently? I think that is the point. Maybe I am wrong but I don’t see Hatch breaking down too many defenders. He would be a good option for a penetrating guard though (and I think he will be).

Toure' and J.T. are the two guys that come to mind in this role. It is also why most of the end of shot-clock/end of game plays that Marshall draws up involves getting the ball to one of those two.

Yup. And maybe one of the PGs. We shall see.

[Aargh]

With the game on the line and our possession - I'd like to see the ball in he hands of ...

...Durley
...or Hatch for 3
...or maybe Stutz to drive to the hoop
...or Murry, who had several pressure-packed game winners as a Fr
...or Ragland, who's likely to be the best pure shooter on the team

As you might be able to tell, some how I'm not just terribly worried about that aspect of the game.

[another shocker]

I'd like to see the rock in Williams' hands when the going gets tough. I like his moxie.. he's a bit of a warrior and a big-time slasher to the basket.