Shockers road

[FearDaTrees]

Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE to see the Shox make another run and give the Valley more press, but I just don't see them getting past Kentucky. If K-State can pull off the upset, I think WSU gets to the Elite 8.

[Wufan]

Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE to see the Shox make another run and give the Valley more press, but I just don't see them getting past Kentucky. If K-State can pull off the upset, I think WSU gets to the Elite 8.

Kentucky is a good team with a high ceiling. WSU isn't as long, especially on the perimeter, but I think we match up well with them from an athleticism stand point.

[Shoxfan11]

I can't see the future, so I don't know how it's gonna play out. But any "Kentucky's athleticism will bother WSU" prediction reminds me of what we heard before the Pitt game last year. And we know how that went.

[rlh04d]

Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE to see the Shox make another run and give the Valley more press, but I just don't see them getting past Kentucky. If K-State can pull off the upset, I think WSU gets to the Elite 8.

I'm not too concerned. Kentucky isn't going to suddenly become a different team overnight just because it's tournament time. They are who they are: some very athletic future NBA draft picks who can't play defense, aren't disciplined, and don't play together as a team.

WSU is a better team than UK in every advanced statistical model. Doesn't matter which one you pick: KenPom, LRMC, Sagarin, and on and on and on.

I think UK gives us the best of both worlds: a team we're better than that will give us a lot of respect for beating them.

It's certainly possible they win, and they're one of the better 8 seeds, but I don't think Randle is going to single handedly beat us.

[Shockerfan13]

A lot of teams are good in the tourney. Kentucky is no exception. HOWEVER, this is more the name on the jersey. Yes Randle is a matchup nightmare for everyone. HOWEVER he is prone to turnovers and we have some of the best guards at digging on the post and causing big men to turn it over. That is how we neutralize him...some. You won't shut him down. But turn him over and you have a chance.

They aren't deep. Get Cauley-Stein and others in foul trouble and you got a chance. WSU is spectacular at drawing fouls. Especially on big men.

VanVleet has experience head to head against Harrison and Fred tore them up as I understand it. Yes it was AAU...but still.

As a team Kentucky turns it over a decent amount. Plays in WSU's hands IMHO.

The one key will be WSU's transition defense (along with rebounding of course). But transition D is huge as Kentucky can run with the best of them. Get them to play half court and ANYONE has a chance against them.

As ANY game in the tourney you HAVE to play well. But Kentucky is FAR from unbeatable.

Plus I am not sold they will beat K State. In fact I would pick K State if they weren't horrible away from home.

[Snaggletooth]

Wow. Kentucky is NOT the matchup the Shox want to see. Kentucky plays bad at times, but Wichita won't have an answer for Julius Randle.

If pure talent was the determining factor UK wouldn't have 10 losses. Evidently there is some of their fans feeling disrespected with a 8-seed.

This kentucky team was losing 3 of 5 games before the SEC tournament. Some of their fans are afraid their team will be a little pouty about not getting any benefit of taking Florida to the final minute. They also lament the road they will have to take after they beat WSU. Evidently they have forgotten they have to beat K-State first.

This couldn't have unfolded any better. I was worried that WSU getting the #1 seed might compromise the "play angry" attitude. But with most talking heads already discarding WSU and talking about Kentucky, Louisville and Duke.

[Shockerfan13]

Wow. Kentucky is NOT the matchup the Shox want to see. Kentucky plays bad at times, but Wichita won't have an answer for Julius Randle.

If pure talent was the determining factor UK wouldn't have 10 losses. Evidently there is some of their fans feeling disrespected with a 8-seed.

This kentucky team was losing 3 of 5 games before the SEC tournament. Some of their fans are afraid their team will be a little pouty about not getting any benefit of taking Florida to the final minute. They also lament the road they will have to take after they beat WSU. Evidently they have forgotten they have to beat K-State first.

This couldn't have unfolded any better. I was worried that WSU getting the #1 seed might compromise the "play angry" attitude. But with most talking heads already discarding WSU and talking about Kentucky, Louisville and Duke.

That is just Kentucky fans. They make KU fans seem humble. They forget that even though they ALMOST beat Florida, the fact is they still lost all 3 times to them. Not to mention Arkansas, Georgia....etc.

It will be a close game. But in close games I would pick WSU most of the time due to their unflappable nature. Composure in a tight game will be HUGE

[Sycamore_DevilDog]

To Hell with all of them......Shockers, go kick some ass and shut up all these talking heads that think they know it all......and that's all I've got to say about that.

[rlh04d]

My dream scenario right now is for WSU to beat VCU in the championship game.

[AndShock]

FearDaTrees doesn't even think WSU is a Top 10 team, I wouldn't put too much stock in his opinion.