Official WSU vs. Bradley Game Thread

[kstarheel]

Good win. 7 guys hit 3's, impressive. Great depth...

[1972Shocker]

Biggest win in Peoria since 1970. That, preceded by WSU's largest margin of victory since 1973 in the win over Evansville, is really saying something. But they'll still need a full 40 minutes to win in Omaha, Springfield, Cedar Rapids, etc..

We will definitely lose if we show up for a game in Cedar Rapids. ;-)

[another shocker]

I'm an optimist, 1972Shocker. I still say we win all the way from Cedar Rapids! 8) Three point bombs across state lines! Paul Bunyon stuff!

[1972Shocker]

Fortunately, we weathered the big foul trouble in the 1st half and kept the game tight.

Shocks did some very nice things in the 2nd half not the least of which was pounding the boards.

When this team works their offense with energetic motion and they share the ball it is a thing of beauty.

Bradley was actually better than I was expecting. In any case, a 16-point road win is sweet.

:goshocks:

[forevershockerfan]

The Shocks have so many weapons. Tonight in the 2nd half, Gabe, DK, Ben, Rags, and Stutz had some moments that were finer than a frog-hair.

[Aargh]

There have been numerous posts over the years hoping the Shox could develop a killer instinct and put a team away after building a lead.

This makes two games in a row where that happened, including a roadie.

[SHOXAAC]

The Shocks have so many weapons. Tonight in the 2nd half, Gabe, DK, Ben, Rags, and Stutz had some moments that were finer than a frog-hair.

Now that's fine. ;-)

[forevershockerfan]

SHOXMVC--Did DK lead tonight from your vantage point?

[SHOXAAC]

SHOXMVX--Did DK lead tonight from your vantage point?

Not in the first half, although except for Gabe, nobody did. At half DK was I believe 0-5/0-4, which means in the second half he was 5-8/1-3. I beleive there was about 3 times in the second half he drove aggresively & decisively toward the basket and made plays inside the arc. When he does that he opens the offense up for opportunities for him to score, but also dump off opportunities for others. This team is so much better when 50% (I would even like to see it closer to 40%) of his shots are from the arc vs. 70%. He is such a special talent, I just want him to maximize it. He grew tonight in my opinion...for whatever that is worth.

:wsu_posters:

[Ricardo del Rio]

SHOXMVX--Did DK lead tonight from your vantage point?

Not in the first half, although except for Gabe, nobody did. At half DK was I believe 0-5/0-4, which means in the second half he was 5-8/1-3. I beleive there was about 3 times in the second half he drove aggresively & decisively toward the basket and made plays inside the arc. When he does that he opens the offense up for opportunities for him to score, but also dump off opportunities for others. This team is so much better when 50% (I would even like to see it closer to 40%) of his shots are from the arc vs. 70%. He is such a special talent, I just want him to maximize it. He grew tonight in my opinion...for whatever that is worth.

:wsu_posters:

I agree about the growth, MVC.

I have always been puzzled because he was not a more effective driver. He certainly has the athletic ability to be a great penetrator.

In the Tulsa game, he made a very nice baseline drive.

In today's game, he was far more aggressive in driving than I can recall in the past.

In the past, most of his drives have been baseline. Actually, virtually all of them.

If he becomes effective in driving the paint, he will be just too much for most teams to handle.

And you are sooo right. He is special.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Biggest win in Peoria since 1970. That, preceded by WSU's largest margin of victory since 1973 in the win over Evansville, is really saying something. But they'll still need a full 40 minutes to win in Omaha, Springfield, Cedar Rapids, etc..

sidenote: Bradley would be a serious dark-horse to win the Valley post-season tourney if they had Maniscalco and Brown. Tough break for them.

Bradley circa 1970...I remember a little scrappy guard named Frank Sylvester. Seemed like about 5-5, but a fun guard to watch.

Is he the point guard, who was built like a fireplug and the Shocks could not guard him one on one?

[Shocktoberfest]

Agree about Smith. I love his instincts. Reminds me a lot of PJ.

[SHOXAAC]

Biggest win in Peoria since 1970. That, preceded by WSU's largest margin of victory since 1973 in the win over Evansville, is really saying something. But they'll still need a full 40 minutes to win in Omaha, Springfield, Cedar Rapids, etc..

sidenote: Bradley would be a serious dark-horse to win the Valley post-season tourney if they had Maniscalco and Brown. Tough break for them.

Bradley circa 1970...I remember a little scrappy guard named Frank Sylvester. Seemed like about 5-5, but a fun guard to watch.

Is he the point guard, who was built like a fireplug and the Shocks could not guard him one on one?

Yes, about as tall as a fire plug. Don't know why I thought of him, but he was tough as nails.

[shockerfan]

LOL Gabe Blair is the man:

Blair said he warned the Braves as they lined up for the free throw.

“(Bradley’s Jake) Eastman was on my right, and I told him I was going to get the rebound,” Blair said. “He said ‘You probably are.’ So he told a teammate to (help). I said ‘It’s going to take more than two

of you all to box me out.’”

Bradley shot 14 free throws in the first half, so Blair had plenty of time to plan his attack.

“I knew I was going to get it,” he said. “I would beat my man every time. I was there every time.”

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/01/165...#ixzz19r3uDZBk

[forevershockerfan]

It is awesome to have both Stutz and Gabe come in because the beat will go on and on. Tonight Rags and Ben gave us a very nice 'high octane boost' of needed energy as well. DWill will continue to grow and it felt great to see EO in the mix. It seems to be coming together and if we keep improving, it is scary how good we may be come March.

Stutz was whipping some nice passes around and our teamwork in the 2nd half was a big part of the Braves demise. DK scored 13 and has been developing into a consistent player. FSF too likes it when DK drives to the basket. He made a great steal tonight and was 'gone with the wind' before they knew what hit them.