Bring on the Shockers

[iSASO]

Too much season left to think about post-season yet, especially when you play in, quoting Marty Simmons, a "great" conference like the MVC.

[Snaggletooth]

You guys have all the tools.

WSU does have the tools, but the question is will they be able to consistently be able to use them all effectively, especially on the road. As impressive as last night was it only counts as a win, a win at home. Now let see them do it on the road, especially somewhere in the valley where it is has the crowd enthusiasm of a high school gym.

Or go into some place where they have struggled to win on the road (CU, UNI, SIU).

I don't think that will be WSU's only 30 pt conference victory this year.

to clarify when I said "could" go a long way I was referring to postseason.

Having a chance to advance deep is really function of seeding. Unfortunately with the state of the MVC this year, I doubt whoever gets the bids this year will draw very good seeds.

[Little Eddie]

From two of the last three posts I have learned that WSU has all the tools...no duh.

[Snaggletooth]

From two of the last three posts I have learned that WSU has all the tools...no duh.

What were you hoping to find out? I'm sure if you have a specific question of something that is really burning you to know about WSU basketball, you will get a specific answer.

The things that were found out about in this game were more about Evansville. But if they are talked about by WSU fans it will be called "piling on". And, as you can see the Evansville fans don't really want to talk about the truths behind this game - so it is time to move on unless again you have a specific question, or are you just trolling?

[purple&orange]

Give WSU a lot of credit for playing well and setting the tone if you will for their conference season as the preseason favorite. Although it's only one game, they couldn't have had a better start to MVC play.

As far as the Aces are concerned, the possibility for the game to become very uptempo was my biggest concern and WSU putting up 91, even on a very good shooting night, is not a game Evansville can win. UE has racked up a lot of those points against inferior non-conference opponents over the last couple games that are in no way comparable to the type of teams we'll see in the MVC. UE is at its best when it takes care of the basketball and makes the defense work 20-25 seconds each possession with the occasional quick shot off a break. As others have mentioned, WSU simply had athletes that UE does not. Going back to the Butler game, UE used the baseline drive after good ball movement in the 2nd half to get either a shot off the drive or it opened a teammate when they were forced to help but most of those possession took a ball reversal or two for things to work. It is difficult to guard a true motion offense for 35 seconds if the players continuously cut and screen with quick ball movement, but when any offense gets stagnant, it makes it very difficult. That's where the Aces miss a guy like Shy Ely who could get the ball late in the shot clock and create because he posed matchup problems for smaller guys in the post and could beat most bigger guys off the dribble with ease. He tended to bail UE out a lot in those situations and UE doesn't have a guy with his size and athleticism on the roster.

Just remember that those upsets of UNI and WSU last year were games played in the 50s to low 60s, the sort of pace that negates a lot of those athletic disadvantages UE has. For UE to be successful, I think they must play a more prodding pace. We've all played pickup against a group of more athletic guys but if your squad can play together and work for good shots, it frustrates the hell of the more athletic group and it gives you a least a chance because you can't run with them.

[Little Eddie]

From two of the last three posts I have learned that WSU has all the tools...no duh.

What were you hoping to find out? I'm sure if you have a specific question of something that is really burning you to know about WSU basketball, you will get a specific answer.

The things that were found out about in this game were more about Evansville. But if they are talked about by WSU fans it will be called "piling on". And, as you can see the Evansville fans don't really want to talk about the truths behind this game - so it is time to move on unless again you have a specific question, or are you just trolling?

It was a play on words...I was using the word tools in a different context...I wasn't trolling, I was only trying to be funny. Operative word...trying.

[Aces0976]

And, as you can see the Evansville fans don't really want to talk about the truths behind this game

I'm a little confused about this comment, as I haven't seen anything from UE fans except praise for the Shockers and saying we have a long way to go. This game absolutely exposed our lack of size and athletes. The truth is WSU IS a lot better than UE, and UE has a lot of work to do. Congrats again and good luck the rest of the way.

[Ace Dad]

What truths? Is there a conspiracy? Oh my!

[Ricardo del Rio]

Give WSU a lot of credit for playing well and setting the tone if you will for their conference season as the preseason favorite. Although it's only one game, they couldn't have had a better start to MVC play.

As far as the Aces are concerned, the possibility for the game to become very uptempo was my biggest concern and WSU putting up 91, even on a very good shooting night, is not a game Evansville can win. UE has racked up a lot of those points against inferior non-conference opponents over the last couple games that are in no way comparable to the type of teams we'll see in the MVC. UE is at its best when it takes care of the basketball and makes the defense work 20-25 seconds each possession with the occasional quick shot off a break. As others have mentioned, WSU simply had athletes that UE does not. Going back to the Butler game, UE used the baseline drive after good ball movement in the 2nd half to get either a shot off the drive or it opened a teammate when they were forced to help but most of those possession took a ball reversal or two for things to work. It is difficult to guard a true motion offense for 35 seconds if the players continuously cut and screen with quick ball movement, but when any offense gets stagnant, it makes it very difficult. That's where the Aces miss a guy like Shy Ely who could get the ball late in the shot clock and create because he posed matchup problems for smaller guys in the post and could beat most bigger guys off the dribble with ease. He tended to bail UE out a lot in those situations and UE doesn't have a guy with his size and athleticism on the roster.

Just remember that those upsets of UNI and WSU last year were games played in the 50s to low 60s, the sort of pace that negates a lot of those athletic disadvantages UE has. For UE to be successful, I think they must play a more prodding pace. We've all played pickup against a group of more athletic guys but if your squad can play together and work for good shots, it frustrates the hell of the more athletic group and it gives you a least a chance because you can't run with them.

A sensible and thoughtful post.