Shockers vs. Tulsa - Intrust Bank Arena

[Haha]

I'd say it's wide open. Not quite Drake or Evansville wide open, but no one can take any game for granted this year.

That's right nobody knows the future, thanks for the insight. Your emotion based judgement is endearing. Please read above where I specifically pointed out that WSU may not win all the games they should.

With that said at this point in time WSU/MSU is the favorite. Unless you can explain otherwise. Maybe you use different calculations than the pros. Granted I only looked at kenpom and realtime. Maybe their is an mattpisanazzrpi website that gives big time bonus points for losses at Nebraska and Iowa St or blow outs at NWtrn.

Heck I expect a loss at UNI, MSU, CU, and somewhere else for good measure. I expect winning all 9 at home. Will this happen? Probably not, but on paper I don't think You could not do much to argue.

So I guess clear number 1 is wrong, clear top 2 with WSU/MSU would be the thing to say.


I ask you to give me something other than no game is a lock. Tell me why based on results to this point why suddenly it is so apparent that CU is right there at the 1 with MSU/WSU this year?

[Turner]

Huh? Never said CU would be. Good luck.

[Haha]

Huh? Never said CU would be. Good luck.

No u didn't, I assumed u were a CU fan, my bad.

So I will word it like this, what others are now right there with MSU/WSU as the favorite?

[jayball]

Turner,

I don't understand how you would say the Valley is more wide open now than in the preseason. What in the noncon showed anything different from WSU/ MSU as the two best teams? CU could get in the mix if GE can get some toughness into our defense and a few guys hit 3s occasionally but we haven't proven anything to this point. Is there someone else you are thinking? UNI?

Every year the preseason predicitions can be wrong but I haven't seen anything so far to say things are more wide open now.

I wonder is it just because no one looked like a jaggernaut? If WSU had held on against UCONN would you feel the same?


ISASO -- This isn't my fight but I thought earlier in the thread BB was trying to make the point that if WSU was raking in cash from Intrust they might have to consider playing there more often. I don't understand why that would be offensive?

[iSASO]

My point was this: the University commissioned at least one survey to see if WSU fans would support playing all or most games at a downtown arena versus a renovated Henry Levitt arena. The vote wasn't close in favor of renovating Henry Levitt. Charles Koch stepped up when WSU's program was at the beginning of its renaissance under Turgeon. That committment on Koch's part and the feelings of Shocker fans who wish to play on-campus will not be cast aside now.

[blueblood]

So you could have just said that. Look, I really like talking MVC sports. Not just the actual games but the insides of the athletic deptartments as well. There are a few of us that have been trying the new format. I want it to work. Smack talk is fine but not all day long it really does get so boring. If your goal is to just piss people off to get a cheap thrill, well thats what ruined the old board. I was guilty there too but if it returns I am gone and a lot of others will be too.

[Turner]

So you could have just said that. Look, I really like talking MVC sports. Not just the actual games but the insides of the athletic deptartments as well. There are a few of us that have been trying the new format. I want it to work. Smack talk is fine but not all day long it really does get so boring. If your goal is to just piss people off to get a cheap thrill, well thats what ruined the old board. I was guilty there too but if it returns I am gone and a lot of others will be too.

I'll try to stay on topic too. Jayball, I don't have a sense that anyone is better than WSU but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose 6+ games in the MVC. I just think enough teams have what it takes to win on any given night that I wouldn't be stunned to see UNI or CU in the mix at the end.

[jayball]

My point was this: the University commissioned at least one survey to see if WSU fans would support playing all or most games at a downtown arena versus a renovated Henry Levitt arena. The vote wasn't close in favor of renovating Henry Levitt. Charles Koch stepped up when WSU's program was at the beginning of its renaissance under Turgeon. That committment on Koch's part and the feelings of Shocker fans who wish to play on-campus will not be cast aside now.

Short term I think you are probably correct. A game or three at the arena per season. But what if the Shocks start dominating Final Fours again......season ticket demand goes through the roof. Could there ever be a point where the extra 4-5K per game could make it finincially difficult not to play more games there? It seems plausible.

What is the shelf life of the Koch renovations? 15-20 years? You are nearly 10 years in. I realize there is a large emotional attachment to the roundhouse and Mr Koch would not want to feel like he's wasted his money, but you've topped out current capacity. At some point if the money was right, it would be tempting (if not prudent) to make a move to somewhere that would allow you to increase your attendace by 50%.

Maybe not, maybe you just jack up prices at Koch. But drawing in 15K and still having a top notch on campus arena for other sports wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

PS Fancy new arenas have cupholders sometimes, but I don't recomend Jameson and 2 yr olds. They just can't hold their liquor.

[Turner]

Not flaming here but was it a surprise the game wasn't sold out? I thought being the first game against an old rival would pack the place.

[MSUDuo]

Turner,

I don't understand how you would say the Valley is more wide open now than in the preseason. What in the noncon showed anything different from WSU/ MSU as the two best teams? CU could get in the mix if GE can get some toughness into our defense and a few guys hit 3s occasionally but we haven't proven anything to this point. Is there someone else you are thinking? UNI?

Every year the preseason predicitions can be wrong but I haven't seen anything so far to say things are more wide open now.

I wonder is it just because no one looked like a jaggernaut? If WSU had held on against UCONN would you feel the same?


ISASO -- This isn't my fight but I thought earlier in the thread BB was trying to make the point that if WSU was raking in cash from Intrust they might have to consider playing there more often. I don't understand why that would be offensive?

Probably because no one has shown that they have what it takes to run away with it, save WSU. They are the clear cut #1 right now. In the preseason poll, 2-5 was closer in votes than 1-2 was. MSU will be tough to beat at home as we have shown. Going on the road is another thing and we will learn very quickly where we stand two weeks into January. CU and UNI have what it takes to take the #2 spot. I have a feeling we are going to see a repeat of the MVFC standings in that we have a clear winner and then everyone else is tightly packed in the middle at 10-8 or close to.