Wichita State vs UCONN game thread - 2pm today

[RoyalShock]

It may have finally sunk in. I think I get it now. MVC is in trouble when our pre season best team can't beat the 10th team in the Big East.

UNI lost to DePaul in a tournament game last year, costing us a shot at Tennessee and possibly Purdue. (Coincidentally, UNI only played one game prior to that tournament as well because no one would schedule us.) We bounced back from that, I think WSU will as well.

Besides, name and tradition alone will push them over the bubble when it comes down to it in March.

Thanks for this reminder. Yesterday's loss still stings but our season is not over.

We lost to Illinois and were blown out by Michigan St. in our Sweet 16 season. Although the MVC was much better that year and our RPI could easier absorb those losses.

[DoubleJayAlum]

I think that maybe WSU would have stood a better chance if it had a couple more games under their belt. I know some Shocker fans poo-pooed the impact a PG change could have, but it is significant. The two guys that WSU planned on taking over the PG position this year had a bunch of turnovers and really struggled. It will be interesting to see if WSU moves Murray to PG full time and what impact that may have on his scoring. Creighton went through the same thing a few years back when the Jays had to move Funk to PG after Dotzler went down. It really had an impact on Funk's scoring and I'd suspect the same will be true with Murray.

Why didn't WSU schedule an additional cupcake game or two before heading to the islands? It may not have mattered, but the additional real game experience might have helped the new PGs get more acclimated.

[RoyalShock]

They tried, DJA, but could not find an opponent whose schedule was open during those dates. That was addressed either during a coach's show or media article a week or two ago.

[jayball]

Didn't get to watch but I listened to the second half. The foul disparity was unbelieveable. That Walker kid sounded like we was Usain Bolt/Allen Iverson/Mark Price combined.

PG play sounded like an issue for WSU. Another game or two might have helped. Personally, I blame Kstate for canceling the scrimmage. That might have helped prepare the Shocks more.

The whole team seemed to battle pretty well, except for maybe Stutz. You outrebounded them and led most of the game. Too bad you couldn't finish it out. Where the hell did David Kyles come from? Career game from him. You are going to need him if Murray has to play PG.

Like Kahn said, If you can win out in noncon, notably winning at SDSU. You could still potentially make an at large case. The tightrope walk just got a little longer.

No letdown against Chaminade.

Valley of Death is back for sure.

[Shox21]

Chaminard is NOT going to be easy. Did you watch their play against MSU. They have a point guard that "parts the water" just like Walker did. We don't seem to have an answer YET for the dribble drive by a quick guard. Stutz was nonexistent last night; he would have been more help on the bench (less fouls). It would be helpful if he showed up this afternoon to play -- Chaminard has a very effective big guy. All in all, unless we come out stormin' to play, this could be a very long afternoon for the Shocks.

[DoubleJayAlum]

They tried, DJA, but could not find an opponent whose schedule was open during those dates. That was addressed either during a coach's show or media article a week or two ago.

How early did they start trying? Obviously, the fact that so many SWAC, MEAC, and other low division schools are playing games indicates they were willing to take the check. Maybe WSU didn't get an early enough start?

[RoyalShock]

They tried, DJA, but could not find an opponent whose schedule was open during those dates. That was addressed either during a coach's show or media article a week or two ago.

How early did they start trying? Obviously, the fact that so many SWAC, MEAC, and other low division schools are playing games indicates they were willing to take the check. Maybe WSU didn't get an early enough start?

Here's how I think the scheduling thing probably occurs:

The power-conference teams get their cupcakes lined up early while others, like MVC, MWC, A10, CUSA teams are trying to get quality opponents. By the time those schools relent and target the SWAC-like teams, the number of open dates are limited.

WSU had an existing contract with Texas Southern, which is why they were our first opponent.

[shockalot]

Hard to make that point. Neither Iowa St or Uconn received a single point in this week's AP poll. Plus, one team lost due to a ref error on the road and another straight up lost on a neutral court.

Both were played on neutral courts.

Technically yes, but some courts are more "neutral" than others. Considering Iowa St is about 45 minutes from Wells Fargo and Hawaii is over 5,000 miles from Storrs, I'd say the Hawaii match-up was probably a bit more "neutral."

And Des Moines is a whopping 120 miles from Omaha, so what? Got a point, Peanut? Your team got beat by a mediocre team on a court that was not Iowa St. home, and isn't far from Omaha. A neutral court, sunnyjim, ain't no technicalilty to it.

[hot nuts]

Talking to Calhoun after the game, Bilas makes the comment that Connecticut looked young against WSU but much more veteran tonight. Typical Bilas dis on the mid-majors (or however you want to classify MVC teams).

[WSUbballer]

[quote="shockalot"][quote="DoubleJayAlum"][quote="shockalot"][quote="bigdawg"]Hard to make that point. Neither Iowa St or Uconn received a single point in this week's AP poll. Plus, one team lost due to a ref error on the road and another straight up lost on a neutral court.[/quote]

Both were played on neutral courts. [/quote]

Technically yes, but some courts are more "neutral" than others. Considering Iowa St is about 45 minutes from Wells Fargo and Hawaii is over 5,000 miles from Storrs, I'd say the Hawaii match-up was probably a bit more "neutral."[/quote]
And Des Moines is a whopping 120 miles from Omaha, so what? Got a point, Peanut? Your team got beat by a mediocre team on a court that was not Iowa St. home, and isn't far from Omaha. A neutral court, sunnyjim, ain't no technicalilty to it.[/quote]

+ 1,000