Bring on the Shockers

[Aces1982]

Lets get it started. UE played WSU tough last year twice, beating them once and taking them to OT the other. UE will be ready and will not back down. I believe their non-conference schedule will have them ready to play.

I don't think they will pull this game out but I do believe they will be competetive in each game and not back down. Of course they always can beat anybody on any given night(see Butler), it is doing it night in and night out that gives them fits. I believe when playing well they can play with any of the Valley teams.

It should be a fun season, it looks like anyone can beat anyone on any night. Don't we say that every year though.

UE will hang close throughout and fall just short at the end.

[cubsfan62395]

wichita by 16

[valleychamp]

On paper, wichita should win by 25. But its a UE/WSU game so you know it will come down to an overtime buzzer beater or something...

[Aces0976]

To me, this game for UE is more about us proving to ourselves that we can compete, not winning and losing. For us to compete, we're going to have to play a complete 40 minute game (something we haven't done recently). Having said that, anything is possible, but I just don't see us winning, not against a fired up Shocker team that probably has a little revenge on their minds. Like I said, I just want us to compete, play hard, and play our game for 40 minutes. If we don't play a complete game, I could see this getting ugly.

[unipanther99]

It's time to see if the wheat will separate from the chaff.

[Snaggletooth]

On paper, wichita should win by 25.

Do you just make this stuff up?

Sagrin: WSU +11 (only +3 at Evansville)
Ken Pom: WSU +13
Massey: WSU +13

I think possibly Evansville is the most underrated team in the league. There is always a team that surprises the preseason prognostications. Evansville is my pick of that team.

WSU is an example of the projections fans make on their teams. Fans will have an expectation that certain advances are linear and can be applied across the board. In WSU case, I think fans were expecting Stutz and D. Williams to be better where they left off last year (Williams is in the dog house) and Stutz is off to a slow start. Of course Gabe Blair back has some type stress fracture and is limiting his playing time. Most fans expected Durley to mature into a senior leader (but at times reverts back into his immature freshman). Then you have the projections of the JUCO guys. JUCO transfers are generally a work in progress (Ragland and Smith) and you hope they figure it out mid-way through their first year. Hannah for WSU didn't really become a force until his Senior year. On the plus side fans projections couldn't project the changes in David Kyles.

Will WSU meet preseason expectations? - I think so as long as there is not some type of "CU implosion of 2010" as they are a work in progress. But as non-conference season has shown they are not a team that is going to just roll the ball out on the court and kick butt and take names - they are going to have to work for it each game. The risk is they come off the holiday and Evansville is more focused and ready to play. If that happens the "Pimps" might make WSU their "whores".

[Ace Dad]

I will be in the "Shocker House" wearing my loud Purple and Orange and all I want is a competitive game. If we compete, I am happy. If we win, I will be elated. The Shockers will have to be off their game for us to win at their house. You never know...........................

[GarH]

I fully expect Evansville to pull off some upsets this year, but I don't expect it to be UNI or the WSU. I don't think either team will overlook them this year and both will be looking for paybacks.

[Pinkie]

I'll bet a dollar that WSU doesn't win the MVC outright.

[iSASO]

I'll take that dollar and raise you one. WSU just isn't good enough to win this league.