#8 Wichita St at #25 Utah - ESPN2 10pm

[rlh04d]

The shox have a bit of a hole in recruiting post players. We'll see how that works out tonight. We're going 6'7" against 7'0" and 6'4" against 6'7" in the front court.

Past that it's a 6'10" Fr, a 6'7" RS Fr, a 6'8" Fr, and a 6'11" JuCo project. 4 of 6 front court players are first year players. To me, that's a hole in recruiting. That could bite us tonight, because Utah's 7' guy (A Fr) is already getting NBA looks.

So let me see if I understand:

1) WSU has a recruiting hole because we're playing first year post players.
2) That will bite us against Utah's first year post player.
3) Experience matters, unless it doesn't.

That about sum it up?

[Aargh]

The shox have a bit of a hole in recruiting post players. We'll see how that works out tonight. We're going 6'7" against 7'0" and 6'4" against 6'7" in the front court.

Past that it's a 6'10" Fr, a 6'7" RS Fr, a 6'8" Fr, and a 6'11" JuCo project. 4 of 6 front court players are first year players. To me, that's a hole in recruiting. That could bite us tonight, because Utah's 7' guy (A Fr) is already getting NBA looks.

So let me see if I understand:

1) WSU has a recruiting hole because we're playing first year post players.
2) That will bite us against Utah's first year post player.
3) Experience matters, unless it doesn't.

That about sum it up?

If you ignore the fact that Utah's Fr center is 7' and already being scouted by the NBA and already being mentioned as a potential lottery pick after this year, then we're in great shape.

Please count the number of players on the Shocker roster with any D1 experience who are taller than 6'4". If the number you come up with is one (1), then you have performed that task successfully. The reliance on JuCo bigs is risky. This year it caught up with Marshall. WSU has a weak spot. We might be able to "get by" until February or March. By then some of the new guys should be ready to take on some serious resposibilities, but none of the new guys have shown (so far) that they're ready for that now.

Tuttle is going to tear the Shox up if the fouling in the front court isn't solved by the time we play him.

[rlh04d]

If you ignore the fact that Utah's Fr center is 7' and already being scouted by the NBA and already being mentioned as a potential lottery pick after this year, then we're in great shape.

I'm not ignoring anything. Just trying to understand your logic. One moment you're arguing the importance of experience, the next you're arguing the importance of talent. That's simply inconsistent. If experience is vital, then their 7' center is also a problem. If talent is paramount, then the issue isn't how experienced our bigs are, but how talented they are.

Please count the number of players on the Shocker roster with any D1 experience who are taller than 6'4". If the number you come up with is one (1), then you have performed that task successfully. The reliance on JuCo bigs is risky. This year it caught up with Marshall. WSU has a weak spot. We might be able to "get by" until February or March. By then some of the new guys should be ready to take on some serious resposibilities, but none of the new guys have shown (so far) that they're ready for that now.

And the only guy on Utah's roster over 6'6" with any D1 experience is Dallin Bachynski, who is averaging 10.8 minutes, 3.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg. You're worried about his experience?

So are we talking about the experience of bigs or simply about height overall? You're putting a lot of emphasis there on the experience of their 6'5"/6'6" guys, even though that isn't your argument. 6'4" is an odd line to draw when you're discussing experience of bigs, and it's one you're only drawing because it's relevant against WSU rather than relevant to your actual point.

[Aargh]

I'm talking about the #8 team in the nation having 1 player taller than 6'4" with any D1 experience. That's usually not a good formula for remaining in the Top 10.

WSU's guards could be good enough to cover up that weakness in the roster, but that's a weakness in the roster for what is being referred to as a top-10 program. This game will be a test of whether the Shox can effectively minimize that weakness.

[rlh04d]

I'm talking about the #8 team in the nation having 1 player taller than 6'4" with any D1 experience. That's usually not a good formula for remaining in the Top 10.

WSU's guards could be good enough to cover up that weakness in the roster, but that's a weakness in the roster for what is being referred to as a top-10 program. This game will be a test of whether the Shox can effectively minimize that weakness.

So making comparisons to Utah didn't mean you actually wanted me to respond with comparisons to Utah.

Okay then.

[mvcfan31]

Wichita State with a chance to make a statement tonight! Utah is a TOUGH place to play, not to mention they have their best team since Andrew Bogut. My prediction is WSU by 2 on a game winner as time expires.

[COUTEAU]

Watching the game on TV.
The grey wearing Utes with SHOX in black is somewhat confusing.
Doesn't SHOX have yellow away uniforms?
Seems Utah would have informed them that they're wearing gray tonight, so SHOX could have packed the yellow, if needed.

GO SHOX
GO MVC

[Aargh]

Poeltl is killing us inside.

[Aargh]

And Carter is killing Utah inside.

[Bradleyfan1]

Utah have the shock on the roaps ;? 57 48 431 to go