Any chance WSU goes 18-0 in MVC?

[rlh04d]

As for the NCAA's UNLV was honestly very similar to this years Pitt's team I'd bet. Their "pom numbers" are inflated from the Big East. WSU boat raced them...we needed Ali to come though and he did.

It's tough to say...I'm probably biased (And will be blasted as such by WSU fans) so I'd pick UNI.

Well ... no. KenPom's numbers are specifically designed to not be inflated by conferences. That would be RPI you're thinking of.

Why would we blast you? Obviously you're biased. We are too. The only difference is, again, your entire post was gut feelings without any quantitative evidence that can really be compared between different seasons. If you think "WSU boat raced them" is an indicator that Pittsburgh is bad, then fine ... all that time you spent recapping your MVC tournament was worthless, because obviously you beating them that bad means they were bad teams to start with, so boat racing them isn't impressive. "Your defense clearly wasn't that good; they were just bad."

As for your points about the Michigan State game ... we could say the same about Louisville. We lost by four and Malcolm Armstead had possibly the worst offensive game of his career on 1-10 shooting with 2 total points. And we can say the exact same thing about fouls -- Louisville's press never worked against us until Armstead was put into foul trouble. Still, we only trailed for six minutes the entire game. Only difference is? Our loss was for a chance to go to the national championship game, and yours was for a shot at the Elite 8.

You can have your opinion, and we can have ours. Only difference is I gave about five examples of quantitative evidence that we were the better team, and you gave none. So the numbers are on our side until you can prove otherwise

Some more stats: WSU's scoring margin in 2012-13 was 8.7, UNI's in 2009-10 was 8.2. As established earlier, WSU played the tougher schedule, as well.

[glm38]

At first I was going to respond to Shoxrox post a couple of pages back that I didn't see any disrespect for WSU? But obviously there have been some posts since then that are.

In the past WSU has been the team that I've loved to hate. And in years past I thought their fans had a somewhat overblown sense of their place in the MVC and the basketball universe in general. But over the past few years they have backed that up. WSU has gotten better every single year under Marshall. In no way did WSU get "lucky" last year in the NCAA's. In my opinion the national champs/Louisville were a little lucky to get past the Shox. That Shox team was deep, talented and just flat out built for the NCAA's.

As a Bears fan I'm envious and jealous of the Shox program. But along with that has come a grudging admiration. And a hope that at some point the Bears can have a similar run (in the NCAA's and long term).

I enjoyed the discussion on UNI's sweet sixteen team vs last years Shox. I think it's close. I would take last year's Shox but not by a whole lot. UNI had a great season that year.

On the original topic - I think the Shox will be very good this year. But no way they run the table. And in the past there WAS discussion among CU fan's on this board about them being so good the past couple of years that they would go undefeated in the conference. Didn't happen. Won't happen this year.

[C0|db|00ded]

[quote="2livewu"][quote="TylerDurden"]Question for WSU fans: Are you comfortable with your PG/ball handling situation? I'm no expert about WSU's roster, but it appears that Van Vleet is the only true PG on the roster at the moment (with a couple of freshman PGs coming) - the rest are combos with varying levels of ball-handling ability, no?

If Van Vleet takes a huge step forward, the Shox could run the table. If he doesn't, they'll play a lot of low-scoring grinders and likely end up in the 13-15 win range, IMO.[/quote]

I've said it before, the PG position concerns me. Anything happens to Fred and we're in deep, in comparison to expectations.

There's also only 1 freshman PG, DJ Bowles. Holland is a 2 and will redshirt. Cotton, Baker and Bowles will back up Fred.

I also would disagree that WSU will play a lot of grinder low scoring games. This team has more scorers than any team I can remember. They'll score. Defense is the question. They lost 3 of the 4 best defenders on the team. Defense and cohesiveness. Can they gel? Of course, injuries changes anyone's game plan. Still, WSU is far more prepared to withstand injuries than any other Valley team.

Where does ISU get picked if Odom and Arop go down?
Where does UNI get slotted if Mitchell and Tuttle go down?
If Bradley loses Pickett and Lemon Jr?

They all become VERY hopeful to finish .500.

If WSU loses VanVleet and Early, they are still going to be at or near the top, and probably will win. The weakness of the Valley this season certainly plays a part in that.[/quote]

I think Cotton or Baker could run the point fine in the MoValley. The NCAA's are where we must have a healthy Fred.

Oh, and in case anybody was wondering, Malcolm ArmSTUD is probably the best ball-handling point guard WSU has had in maybe forever. The way he protected the ball against VCU and Louisville should cement his name in the record books.


T


...

[Redbird Recon]

Are you betting it won't happen or hoping it won't happen?

Betting? Sure. Got anything in mind?
Hoping? Depends if Gregg signs Teddy's waiver.

[mvcfan]

Are you betting it won't happen or hoping it won't happen?

Hoping? Depends if Gregg signs Teddy's waiver.

And I was going to apologize for calling you a dick.

[Redbird23]

Are you betting it won't happen or hoping it won't happen?

Hoping? Depends if Gregg signs Teddy's waiver.

And I was going to apologize for calling you a dick.

With all the problems ISU/WSU have had in the past few years it would show a lot of character from Marshall if he let Hawkins play.

[Zardoz]

Is he even going to be eligible to play? He could just be picking up credits. Why should WSU show you any good will, have you done anything to deserve it. Do the actions of your players and coaches over the past few years suggest otherwise. Do you think Marshall is stupid?

[2livewu]

With all the problems ISU/WSU have had in the past few years it would show a lot of character from Marshall if he let Hawkins play.

1)I thought it was settled that WSU has no input on whether or not Hawkins plays for ISU. Is this incorrect?

2)Can you please list "all the problems ISU/WSU have had in the past few years"?

3)Maybe I'm reading something that's not there, but your comment seems to imply that either Gregg hasn't shown much "character" in the past or that he owes ISU some kind of penance. Please expand this thought.

[Wufan]

With all the problems ISU/WSU have had in the past few years it would show a lot of character from Marshall if he let Hawkins play.

Here's a character question for those at ISU that feel that the Hawkins situation was handled well by the ISU staff:

When Jank left town and took Moore with him to SMU, was that a class act? Should Ill St have contacted the NCAA and asked them to grant Moore immediate PT at his new school? Would that have been the appropriate character to show?

[Redbird Recon]

I've heard a different story from every person on Hawkins, but my most reliable source said: Qualifying is and always has been a long shot, but, if he does qualify, Marshall is willing to sign the waiver if the MVC rules that Teddy's situation is even under the in-conference transfer rule. Words like 'unprecedented' and 'gray area' keep coming up. If he doesn't qualify, he is likely heading to Lincoln juco, one we've used before in similar situations.

Concerning Moore: I see that as a different situation, because he actually played. Beane and McDermott are closer comparisons, but obviously the family dynamic makes that different. I also understand that, as die-hard fans, we put an emotional investment in recruits, so I totally understand the disappointment in losing a recruit.

Honestly I think Teddy thought Ohio State or Dayton would pounce when he opened it back up. Dead end after dead end due to academics lead him to ILS. We underachieved this past season, and the roster was purged. He's the type of guy we need to take if he's willing and able.

With all that said, I wouldn't bet on him playing for Illinois State. Too many things would need to go right, and luck doesn't favor the Birds. Hope I'm wrong!