WSU next year

[Aargh]

I hate to make a Valley post that's all about WSU, but next year the national attention to the Valley is going to all be based on what WSU does. So, here's what WSU fans have been thinking about what's happening at WSU.

WSU fans thought last year was a reloading year. Some thought it was a rebuilding year. Very few thought WSU would beat CU for the league championship, but most thought WSU was a solid pick for 2nd. Most thought the difference in W/L would be a lot greater between WSU and 3rd than it was.

Injuries made those expectations realistic. Then, when some of the injuries were resolved, the Shox went on a huge (and mostly unexpected) run to the F4.

Most Shox fans were expecting 2012-13 to be a good team with potential for a S16. 2013-14 was supposed to be the good year. On paper, the 2013-14 version of Shocker basketball is better than the 2012-13 version.

WSU's perimeter and wings next year are:
Fred VanVleet - may challenge Odum for 1st team MVC PG
Ron Baker - If you have any questions, review the NCAA tourney games
Tekele Cotton - Guarded some of the best perimeter scorers in the nation in the NCAA's - shut them down
Evan Wessel - Starter as a So before he was injured. Top returning 3-pt. shooter.
DeRail Green - (6'7" RS FR) The best "practice" 3-pt. shooter on the squad.
Nick Wiggins - JuCo AA's tend to be better in their Sr seasons.

In the front court there's Early (might go ahead of Dougie McD in the NBA draft); Kadeem Coleby, a 3-year D1 starter in as lesser conference; Darius Carter, a JuCo AA; and Shaq ("Attack") Morris, a 6'8", 260 Fr #1 player in OK last year.

Look for a lot of stretch-4 O from WSU next year. Unlike last year, the squad is loaded with 3-pt. shooters and most of them have the handles to drive to the hoop and finish.

From the start of the season to the end, the Shox will be better next year than they were last year. That doesn't predict an appearance in the NC game, but they've got the potential to do that depending on the draw and matchups in the tourney.

[jwa123]

WSU will be the class of the league next year with strong competition from ISUb. Should be an interesting season between the two.

[BCPanther]

The wild card for me for WSU next year is Ron Baker having to play a full season. He had fresh legs around tournament time and flourished. How good will he be in late February and March next year with legs that have 30+ games on them??

[shockalot]

Consider that due do Ron having a stress fracture in his foot that meant he could not run or even be on a stationary bike to keep himself in shape for over 2 and 1/2 months, and had to come back and get into game shape immediately. Yeah, he had "fresher" legs in the tournament, but he also was lacking the conditioning work, so I don't see your point as having anything that would be of concern for Mr. Baker being in top form come tournament time next year.

[TheShock]

DeRail Green - (6'7" RS FR) The best "practice" 3-pt. shooter on the squad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frsId3goYYE

[rlh04d]

Kadeem Coleby, a 3-year D1 starter in as lesser conference

Coleby was only a 1-year D1 starter at LA-Lafeyette, actually. He spent two years in JUCO before transferring to the Sun Belt.

However in that one year he lead the conference in shooting percentage (56.1%) and was second in blocks per game.

[ShocksRbest]

Consider that due do Ron having a stress fracture in his foot that meant he could not run or even be on a stationary bike to keep himself in shape for over 2 and 1/2 months, and had to come back and get into game shape immediately. Yeah, he had "fresher" legs in the tournament, but he also was lacking the conditioning work, so I don't see your point as having anything that would be of concern for Mr. Baker being in top form come tournament time next year.

I agree...the fresh legs were offset by a lack of conditioning. He, and the Shocks made the best of his presence back in the line up--and not a moment too soon. Can't wait for next season.

[AngryWheat=FTW=]

There's a lot to be excited about with regards to next year's Shocker basketball squad. Our depth will be astounding. The word is - Kadeem Coleby has Coach Marshall very excited about his prospects in the paint for next year. Apparently K.C. is a one-man wrecking machine down low.

[rlh04d]

There's a lot to be excited about with regards to next year's Shocker basketball squad. Our depth will be astounding. The word is - Kadeem Coleby has Coach Marshall very excited about his prospects in the paint for next year. Apparently K.C. is a one-man wrecking machine down low.

I'm excited about Coleby. I don't think he'll be the rebounder that Hall was, but I think he'll be similar in offensive ability and probably better blocking. And he's significantly bigger. If Lufile can be a solid #2 at the 5, the position should be very good. Lufile and Wiggins improving are the only questions I have about our two deep lineup.

[BEARZ77]

I think you'll [WSU] be challenged alot more than you think in conference, and ISUb doesn't appear to me to have any clear advantage over any of the next 3-4 teams personnel wise. I'm not saying both aren't good,just that you're giving alot of credit to new players or players in secondary roles stepping up on your end, and very little of the same type of credit to other programs. UNI has a proven track record of Jake getting his type of players to play his type of ball and Mitchell and Tuttle have been seasoned over the past two years to be ready to assert themselves. Bradley is building with some quality athletes and again their coach has a proven track record in the MAC. I'm not sold on Lusk yet, but our roster is very solid and deep as we will have multiple guys who have started in the past playing secondary roles and fighting for playing time along with 3 proven double figure scorers returning with Gulley's return from injury.

I think besides Early, your frontline is very much a question mark, not in talent,but in roles and chemistry. Coleby gets alot of talk but his stats were no better than Addo's sophmore stats at N. Colorado and everyone else has yet to show anything at the D-1 level. Again talent is there, but Carl Hall was a beast, Orupke had some presence, and I thought White made alot of hustle plays on the offensive boards for you. I don't know who wants to do the dirty work for you yet, and no matter who, they won't be Carl Hall. I thought your defense was the difference for you down the stretch and you've lost probably 3 of your best and most willing defenders; Cotton gets alot of notice,[ although he didn't show any more ability than any other Shocker to hang with Marcus Marshall by seasons end] but I think you always struggle defensively for a bit when you have alot of young guys in new roles. I think it's a big change to for guys like Baker and FVV to now be the focus of a teams preparation. Baker has shown he can hit shots as a spot up guy, but honestly the next guy he breaks down off the dribble will be the first I've seen, so that will be something he will be challenged to do as teams prepare for the Shocks.

No doubt the Shocks are the easy pick for top team next year, but as usual, I just think you vastly underestimate a conference you were only second best in and that teams like CU/UE were able to take 5 out of 6 games from you last year. There will be teams just as good this year, and I think you do have question marks that are yet unanswered.