Basketball Preseason Picks

[WuDrWu]

http://www.mvc-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7600&ATCLID=204819710

Shocks picked 9th ahead of SIU. CU picked 1st.

We'll see.


:wsu_posters: :goshocks: :posterwu: :posterwsu:

[The Mad Hatter]

I completely understand why we are picked 9th, but I have my doubts that we will finish that low (and maybe not very close to that low).

[1972Shocker]

I'm surprised we weren't picked last again. These preseason polls are all about what experience and quality you return from the prior year.

With a combined total of 3 years of D-1 experience (4 if you count Morgan's 1 game at MTSU her freshman year which did cost her a year of eligibility, but not sure you can count that as a year of experience) the Shocks simply don't have any currency in the bank.

That's probably as it should be, but as Doc and TMH said we'll see. One thing about the Fort Smith transfers is that they are not used to losing much and neither is this group of freshman. Let's hope they can keep it that way.

:goshocks:

[SubGod22]

I'm not expecting any drastic improvement in where we finish this year.

[1972Shocker]

I posted the following in March 15th when I started the Looking Forward thread:

Marcy and Daria could hold their own against about any other 5/4 combo in the league, but I think SIU and Evansville lose even more. SIU loses their top 2 scorers (Jasmine Gibson and Erica Smith and their top 3-point threat (Kaci Bailey). Evansville loses their top 3 scorers (Ashely Austin, Shannon Novosel and Robyn Jennings) which includes their point guard.

I can see WSU passing Evansville and SIU and moving up to 8th place, but it is hard to project much more improvement than that with so many new faces being added to the mix, even if they are highly touted freshman. Not sure what Jody will be able to do in the late signing period but that will interesting and a big key to how next year goes as I assume the late signees will have a strong JUCO flavor. But still they will be new to D-1 basketball and new to Jody's system.

I am sticking with my initial thoughts and I think the Shocks will finish in 8th ahead of Evansville and SIU.

The main things I am looking for this year is to see significant growth and improvement by both the incoming freshman and the JUCO transfers from the beginning of the year to the end and I would also like to see an improved road performance. We were significantly better on the road last year than two years ago, but we still have a long ways to go to be a decent road team. Whether our youth and inexperience will allow the latter remains to be seen.

If we achieve the above this year than I can see the Shocks poised to make a move into the top half of the league next year.

I can see the Shocks exceeding these expectations. I would be pretty disappointed if they fall short of these very modest expectations.