Evansville @ Wichita State

[shocktheheart]

Sorry, I forgot Witchita is in a league of their own.

You must be getting WSU mixed up with CU. CU is AWESOME. Proof here.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/12952547/cu-is-awesome

That is awesome!

[Aargh]

Stutz didn't practice today (Tuesday). I have to think he's out for the Aces' game.

I don't think that helps UE's chances - or even the point spread. The Shox have shown that when they're missing a key player, they are more focused. Overconfidence has been a problem for the Shox, but don't count on it with Stutz out.

I have more respect for SIU's front court than for UE's. The Ugly Dawgs may have thrown in the towel, but Jake White and Ehimen Orukpe totally dominated the inside game against SIU.

If Orukpe gets 20+ minutes, UE's front court will understand "fear". Orukpe isn't talented on the offensive end. He's absolutely intimidating on D. Even on offense, Orukpe intimidated SIU's front court guys. He caught the ball on the low block once (after a couple of monster throw downs). The look on Setty's face was like a deer in two sets of headlights.

Jake White had a strong game against SIU. He showed why he was a Parade AA last year. He was ripping boards away from others like he was actually muscular. He's decent from 3, and demonstrated he understands both front court positions in Marshall's system. I think White is better than any of UE's front court players

With Stutz out, that only leaves the Shox 3 front court players capable of going off for a double double against UE. Stutz is out at just about the exact time that the front court reserves are demonstrating their ability to extend the Shox bench.

[UE 71]

I have no illusions about UE going into the home floor of WSU and dominating them. However, UE is a different team than in the past and when they are playing their game, they are capable of beating anyone in the Valley on a given night. If 13 points would have shifted in outcome, their overall record would be 16-3 and with a 5 point Valley shift they would be 8-1 in the Conference. The discussion would be totally different.

However, I'm going to give WSU their due. They are an excellent team that sometimes play below their ability and anyone who comes into their house can be dominated by them on a given night. I fully expect they will go to the Big Dance and will win games there. Their big men are better on paper then UE's big men, but the game will be won or lost on the court.

As for whoever wins, I hope the game is as exciting as the last one and whomever loses goes away thinking they should have won the game. Basketball in the Valley is getting better and I can't wait until tomorrow night.

[sixth ace]

MVC Chris said "Evansville at Wichita State
Some question as to whether senior center Garrett Stutz will play – reports are that he did not practice on Tuesday. Shockers are playing very well, so not sure it will matter. I’ll take WSU."

And give up 16 points? Really?

[Aargh]

By now the Vegas bettors are aware that Stutz is questionable and likely to be a no show. Even with that info, the people putting money on the game say that the Shox are about 16 points better than the Aces.

I'm not going to say "bet the farm on WSU" because 16 points is verging on a blowout.

I don't think WSU is going to have the mental breakdowns that have cost them some second half leads and given their opponents some late-game opportunities. I hate to say that UE doesn't appear to be on the same level as the Shox, but except for Ryan, UE has no one that would be getting minutes in WSU's lineup. I think WSU covers the spread. Wounded bear syndrome could be in effect.

[Ace Dad]

By now the Vegas bettors are aware that Stutz is questionable and likely to be a no show. Even with that info, the people putting money on the game say that the Shox are about 16 points better than the Aces.

I'm not going to say "bet the farm on WSU" because 16 points is verging on a blowout.

I don't think WSU is going to have the mental breakdowns that have cost them some second half leads and given their opponents some late-game opportunities. I hate to say that UE doesn't appear to be on the same level as the Shox, but except for Ryan, UE has no one that would be getting minutes in WSU's lineup. I think WSU covers the spread. Wounded bear syndrome could be in effect.

I sat with your fans after the dissapointing Shocker showing at the MVC tournament. Your fans were frustrated because they never know which Shocker team would show up. Which team will show up tonight? Will it be the team that dominated the last two MVC games? Or, will it be the team that was glad to run off the Evansville court with a one possession win?

UE 71 summed it up better than I, we do not expect to go into the Roundhouse and win, but unlike SIU, I doubt if you will sense that we will "give up" if the game does not go our way. The Aces were underdogs at UNI and we did not expect to win. The Aces were underdogs at MSU and we did not expect to win. The Aces are underdogs at WSU and we do not expect to win. That said, this team has been down on the road early and late and they will fight, fight, and fight. So, after beating us at our place by one possession as the ball tipped, tipped, tipped around the rim and fell away, I would expect some sembalance of respecting one's opponent.

I expect your players think that the game at Evansville was a fluke and they are going to come out a little bit over-confident. If their shots fall, the Aces are in trouble. However, if WSU starts the game shooting poorly and if we can score, we may have have a pretty good contest.

[MVCfans]

MVC Chris said "Evansville at Wichita State
Some question as to whether senior center Garrett Stutz will play – reports are that he did not practice on Tuesday. Shockers are playing very well, so not sure it will matter. I’ll take WSU."

And give up 16 points? Really?

Playing a hunch. Not sure I'd actually put my money on this one fwiw.

[Snaggletooth]

I find it interesting when fans want to talk about their team and then they blather stuff like "we can win on any given night so u should fear us" or "we will never quit" or "you will overlook us" or "or your shots are not falling" It is all meaningless drivel. It is a given that things can happen. Hell if Bradley and Siu can win games it is evident Anybody can.

If u were really want to talk about today game then break down both teams to their relative strengths and weaknesses and how your team might overcome their weakness and maximize their strengths. If u did this there might be more meaningful conversations here.

Evansville is AWESOME!

[MoValley John]

Colt Ryan is awesome. That said, Evansville as a team is not. I will pick the Shockers by 10, with or without Stutz. Maybe, just maybe, if some evil scientist created a Colt Ryan-Jake Odum clone, a Colt Odum if you will, Evansville would be unstoppable. Then again, if that happened, earthquakes would spread across the land, the gates of Hell would open and all evil would escape to wander the earth. Scary stuff!

GodColtOdumGod!

[havoc]

Colt Ryan is awesome. That said, Evansville as a team is not. I will pick the Shockers by 10, with or without Stutz. Maybe, just maybe, if some evil scientist created a Colt Ryan-Jake Odum clone, a Colt Odum if you will, Evansville would be unstoppable. Then again, if that happened, earthquakes would spread across the land, the gates of Hell would open and all evil would escape to wander the earth. Scary stuff!

GodColtOdumGod!

Shockers by 10 would be quite an improvement over UE at WSU last year.

Colt Odum would without a doubt make just about any team unstoppable. More realistically, Evansville is an experienced big man away from being a contender in the conference, granted, many teams could probably say the same thing. UE's backcourt is a top half group but the front court at this moment is probably one of the worst.

Wichita second and third string centers are better than UE's first string guys. The only way UE sticks around in this one is if they can get the WSU big guys in foul trouble early and Ryan has another career night. Or, of course, if Colt Odum shows up and is 7 foot, 250 lbs.