Wichita State @ Indiana State

[PowderBlue]

Missing the FT hurt, obviously, but I didn't even notice the poor shooting because I honestly felt both teams were playing fantastic defense.

Agreed. Great defensive game overall.

I'm not sure exactly what ISUb was doing different this time, but it completely threw WSU off. Early was the only one able to consistently score in the second half, and for some reason we couldn't get the ball to him on the block often.

Our bigs played much better defending the ball screen and our wings were much more active rotating along the baseline and weak side. We also didn't try to defend out to 28 feet, which gives the bigs so much more space to roll to the basket. Forcing the screen at 22 feet and sagging weak side defense in made it tough for WSU to get the lob inside. The defense from ISU the last five minutes (minus garbage foul time) was among the best I've ever seen a Lansing team defend.

Sometimes the other team just doesn't make the really tough shots either. Those seemed to be falling more in Wichita than tonight in Terre Haute.

[PowderBlue]

Shox shot 42% from the field and did not hit a single 3 in the 2nd half. Yet ISU was unable to capitalize, Arop held to 3 silent points 2nd half, Early stepped it up, Arop was shut down

Baker is a fantastic college basketball player. He's the reason Arop didn't score. Great switch by Marshall. Lansing put Arop on the block a couple times and he got a basket out of it, but WSU's interior defense is just so strong.

[Aargh]

That was the worst 40 minutes of basketball I've seen from the Shox this year. I blame that 100% on the game InSU played. Great defensive game plan that was well-executed.

I've heard a lot of comments that the Shox didn't get the ball to Early down low often enough. Watch the replay on ESPN3 and you will see that InSU's positioning on D made that a low percentage pass.

Much better inside game from the Trees than they had in Wichita. It seemed like a completely different front court for the Trees.

[glm38]

Caught the last few minutes. Looks like Lufile had a good game. He's turning into a nice post for the Shox. Never would have thought that watching him last year. Smart of Marshall to stay with him.

Shox keep rolling!

[Wufan]

Caught the last few minutes. Looks like Lufile had a good game. He's turning into a nice post for the Shox. Never would have thought that watching him last year. Smart of Marshall to stay with him.

Shox keep rolling!

He was not good in the first half and did not get the start. Played great late.

[CBB_Fan]

I thought that this game was perhaps the first time all year the Shockers were outworked. The Sycamores wanted this game badly, and for the most part did a great job following their gameplan and getting to 50/50 balls.

However, I think eventually Indiana State got tired and started to make bad decisions. FT shooting at the end, and two fouls on shooters beyond the arc earlier really changed the game. Their defense was solid all game, and they won the rebounding battle by one, but it is very hard to beat Wichita State without a good finishing stretch.

Two decisions by the Shockers in the second half were huge. #1, Marshall switched Early off of Arop in favor of Baker after Arop scored to give the trees their only lead of the night. After the switch Arop was held without a FG for the rest of the game (though that was helped by Arop missing some open shots as well).

#2, Marshall tried to get the ball to Early as often as possible. While the Sycamores did a good job denying him the ball, when he got it he was very effective, scoring 15 points in the second half including multiple And-1s and a foul on a 3PT shot. With bad games from Baker and Van Vleet, Early provided the consistent scoring the Shockers needed.

[SycamorePsycho]

Definitely one of the best college basketball games I've witnessed in person...great atmosphere. Sycamores left it all on the court tonight. If the Syc's could knock down some darn free throws it may have played out a little differently. Bottom line is the Shockers are GOOD...very good. Easily the best team I've ever seen play in the Hulman Center. Hope we can close out the season well and be the #2 seed in St. Louis. Would love to see the Shockers one more time in the final of Arch Madness.

[mvcfan]

As I expected the tree fans showed up and were accounted for. It's a fun atmosphere when you can feel all that energy in an arena. That what Shocker fans want to experience every home game. Nice game.

[SeeRed]

Buddy bet me 10$ that Wu won't make the sweet 16.

Easiest 10$ ever.

[DUShock]

I'm not sure that those that matter agree, but I think if the Trees go undefeated until the finals at St. Louis, they still have a chance at an at large. Personally, I think ISU is as good the middle of the Big 12, but they just don't have the schedule to prove it. Keep going! There is a post season run in the Sycamores this year and talent for the future.

I agree with WUfan