CREIGHTON @ WICHITA ST (Sat, Dec 31st, 5pm)

[FeartheQ]

Should be a good game. I'll take the Shox at home.

[Jays26]

Going with my heart over my head on this one......Creighton gets a few things figured out since Wed and pulls off the upset.

CU 82
WSU 79

Happy New Year Everyone!

[wushockalocka]

I think the Shox can take CU in Wichita - and possibly in Omaha.

The St. Joe's game exposed CU's weakness in the paint, which is one of WSU's strengths. DMac is a great defensive rebounder. Hall is a great offensive rebounder. Both Stutz and Orukpe look like glass cleaners compared to Echenique and Artino. I think CU fans will disagree about Echenique, but Stutz is stronger on the boards this year than he has been in past years.

A lot of CU's success so far has been attributed to Gibbs' production. He's going to have the returning Valley Defensive POY covering him. Young and Ragland is going to be a war. CU has great perimeter shooters. WSU has great perimeter D.

I think WSU's advantage in the paint and on the boards will give WSU a W. WSU looks like they have strength in CU's weakest areas and that could decide the game.

James Anacreon (6'7" JuCo Jr) saw really limited minutes until the Bradley game. The word was that he hadn't figured out Marshall's defensive system. It's not unusual for JuCo guys to struggle the first half of the season (think about Ragland the first half of last year). Anacreon had a great defensive game against Bradley. There's no questioning his athleticism, quickness, and physical skills. If he's figured out the system, the assignments, and is ready to mentally compete at the D1 level, then WSU has another quick defender who will pick pockets and join WSU's transition game. Anacreon could defend a SF with the quickness he's got.

If WSU plays anything resembling what they've done starting with the UNLV game (and if CU lets them), it's a double-digit win for the Shox. The team WSU is putting on the floor now doesn't even resemble the team that got beat by Alabama and Temple.

CU is hoping for up tempo. MSU's plan was to slow it down and play halfcourt. (and succeeded) You will find CU's "best" offense is uptempo, 4-5 passes= easy bucket. Not the same thing as UNLV's uptempo game. CU is not Bradley, Kansas Newman and Chicago St. Ball will be fed into the middle over and over. Hopefully we will have the same type of officiating as in the MSU game. They let them play. Stutz will foul out and Hall can't follow D Mc arond the court. Should be a great game.

And Wichita State is not Missouri State and Wichita is not Omaha.

[Kip Dynamite]

I think the Shox can take CU in Wichita - and possibly in Omaha.

The St. Joe's game exposed CU's weakness in the paint, which is one of WSU's strengths. DMac is a great defensive rebounder. Hall is a great offensive rebounder. Both Stutz and Orukpe look like glass cleaners compared to Echenique and Artino. I think CU fans will disagree about Echenique, but Stutz is stronger on the boards this year than he has been in past years.

A lot of CU's success so far has been attributed to Gibbs' production. He's going to have the returning Valley Defensive POY covering him. Young and Ragland is going to be a war. CU has great perimeter shooters. WSU has great perimeter D.

I think WSU's advantage in the paint and on the boards will give WSU a W. WSU looks like they have strength in CU's weakest areas and that could decide the game.

James Anacreon (6'7" JuCo Jr) saw really limited minutes until the Bradley game. The word was that he hadn't figured out Marshall's defensive system. It's not unusual for JuCo guys to struggle the first half of the season (think about Ragland the first half of last year). Anacreon had a great defensive game against Bradley. There's no questioning his athleticism, quickness, and physical skills. If he's figured out the system, the assignments, and is ready to mentally compete at the D1 level, then WSU has another quick defender who will pick pockets and join WSU's transition game. Anacreon could defend a SF with the quickness he's got.

If WSU plays anything resembling what they've done starting with the UNLV game (and if CU lets them), it's a double-digit win for the Shox. The team WSU is putting on the floor now doesn't even resemble the team that got beat by Alabama and Temple.

CU is hoping for up tempo. MSU's plan was to slow it down and play halfcourt. (and succeeded) You will find CU's "best" offense is uptempo, 4-5 passes= easy bucket. Not the same thing as UNLV's uptempo game. CU is not Bradley, Kansas Newman and Chicago St. Ball will be fed into the middle over and over. Hopefully we will have the same type of officiating as in the MSU game. They let them play. Stutz will foul out and Hall can't follow D Mc arond the court. Should be a great game.

And Wichita State is not Missouri State and Wichita is not Omaha.

You're quite right about that and unless you come out of Omaha with a win this year, you're not going to be either.

[iSASO]

I do think Echinique will come out with a fire under his but for this one.

I don't see the Shockers' answer for Echinique. Didn't he terrorize the Big East before graduating to Creighton and the MVC?

[denjayfan1]

He did have a successful freshman campaign at Rutgers averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds.

[MVCfans]

Quick look at the game:
The MVC Report - Preview of New Year's Eve games

[glm38]

I think the Echenique vs Stutz matchup will be key.

Also how WSU defends McD. Will they doubleteam and collapse in the middle? Or will they play him straight up? I think trying to play him straight up 1:1 might be a mistake.

[Wufan]

This games is gonna be won at the 2 and 3 spots. Can Creighton overcome Wichita's athleticism advantage and depth at the 2 and 3? I'm not so concerned about the post like last year with the likes of Durley and Ellis having graduated unless Stutz gets some early fouls on Echinique. I do think Echinique will come out with a fire under his but for this one. The bench is much shorter for Creighton as was originally thought as Dingman, Chatman, and Artino are not ready for primetime. This has the makings of a great game if Creighton brings their A game. If they don't, this could be another repeat of last year. Here's hoping for a good one!

While this game may be decided at the 2-3 positions, Stutz and Hall are statistically better than Durley, Blair and Ellis. Of course Wragges is back and Doug McD is much improved.

[MVCfans]

A trip down memory lane - youtube style. Matt Braeuer and Booker Woodfox?

link: wp/2011/12/31/wichita-st-vs-creighton-remember-these-moments/