Shockers Down !

[glm38]

Any truth to the rumor that Shaq Morris is leaving the team? If true that would be a pretty big blow. He was a pretty highly thought of recruit. And he's one of the Shox frontcourt players I would have expected to step up by the end of this season.

[Wufan]

Any truth to the rumor that Shaq Morris is leaving the team? If true that would be a pretty big blow. He was a pretty highly thought of recruit. And he's one of the Shox frontcourt players I would have expected to step up by the end of this season.

When we traveled to Drake Shaq was told to stay home. The reason given was lack of effort in practice. He is still with the team. This seems to be an ongoing issue, so to bring those interested up to speed, here's a rundown on Shaq's issues that were made public:

In high school OU and OSU backed off of recruitment and ultimately did not offer a scholarship due to perceived issues with effort.

Arrives at WSU 30 lbs over weight and is red-shirted.

During RS year VanVleet told Shaq and his teammates that he would rather play with someone else if he wasn't going to practice hard.

Called out on Twitter by FVV for not showing up to a summer workout (though this was more playful).

At Shocker Madness he was forced to ride a bike during the live scrimmage.

Looked awful in Hawaii.

Current incident.

Shaq is a great guy and is loved by all. He has a very high ceiling so he remains on the team, but we are over-committed for next year so Shaq has some ground to make up if he wants to stay. Marshall is unsure if he will be allowed to play against ISU tomorrow.

[rlh04d]

Shaq's frustrating. He has the potential to be one of the best players in the Valley by his junior year. He also consistently sleep walks through games.

[glm38]

Thanks. Shaq seems like a real talented young player. Hope he gets it figured out.

[glm38]

With the Shockers current post position problems (especially depth) I think it's a real shame Jake White left the team. He would have been a senior this year? I don't remember why he left? Playing time? But he was a big strong kid who was a good rebounder and could have really bridged the gap for WSU at the 4/5. IMO if he had stayed he would have gotten plenty of PT this year.

Glad to see Shaq is still with the team and getting some PT. That's a good sign. I think WSU is good enough to win the Valley regardless but to go anywhere in the tournament it can't just be Carter alone in the post.

[Cdizzle]

With the Shockers current post position problems (especially depth) I think it's a real shame Jake White left the team. He would have been a senior this year? I don't remember why he left? Playing time? But he was a big strong kid who was a good rebounder and could have really bridged the gap for WSU at the 4/5. IMO if he had stayed he would have gotten plenty of PT this year.

Glad to see Shaq is still with the team and getting some PT. That's a good sign. I think WSU is good enough to win the Valley regardless but to go anywhere in the tournament it can't just be Carter alone in the post.

Big Jake White fan. But he wanted to play, and he had the talent to play more than he would at WSU. Unfortunately, injuries have hampered his career since transferring. But who knows how things work out. If White had stayed, who wouldn't have been on the team last year? Would they have gone undefeated?

I'll be curious to see if the 'post position problems' the Shox currently have are still perceived as such by the end of the conference season. There is some serious young talent at those positions, they just need time. And if they figure it out at all (we'll see) the efficiency of the guards is going to go up tremendously. In the last 2 games, the Shox post players are averaging 31.5ppg, 15.5rpg and 4bpg. Not unbelievable, but over time that will loosen things up. We'll have to see if they can take it on the road and keep it up.

[Wufan]

Shaq is averaging 15 minutes, 9.5 points, 3.5 boards, and 2 blocks in his two Valley games (DNP at Drake). Marshall said he's had 5 straight very good days. I believe he will still be up and down this year (practice and games), and he has a propensity to foul which may limit his minutes on occasion. The sample size is far too small, but here's Shaq, again, getting Shocker fans excited for the ceiling that this team has.

Also of note: Shocker freshman Rashard Kelly, Corey Henderson, and Zach Brown are playing at a notably higher level (and over several games) and appear to be the rotational players the Shockers need off the bench. If they can improve, along with Shaq, this team will have a chance to win a few in the dance.

[LanceShock]

With the Shockers current post position problems (especially depth) I think it's a real shame Jake White left the team. He would have been a senior this year? I don't remember why he left? Playing time? But he was a big strong kid who was a good rebounder and could have really bridged the gap for WSU at the 4/5. IMO if he had stayed he would have gotten plenty of PT this year.

Glad to see Shaq is still with the team and getting some PT. That's a good sign. I think WSU is good enough to win the Valley regardless but to go anywhere in the tournament it can't just be Carter alone in the post.

Marshall has shown the ability to figure out how to motivate guys. JT Durley would freely admit to being lazy, but Marshall was able to get him motivated to work. His freshman year he cost the team as much on defense as he gained it in offense. By his senior year, I remember thinking that the Shocks defense was going to weaken when he went out of games.

Hopefully, this is Marshall starting to get through to Shaq as well. He looks to be a special player if motivated properly.

[rlh04d]

With the Shockers current post position problems (especially depth) I think it's a real shame Jake White left the team. He would have been a senior this year? I don't remember why he left? Playing time? But he was a big strong kid who was a good rebounder and could have really bridged the gap for WSU at the 4/5. IMO if he had stayed he would have gotten plenty of PT this year.

Glad to see Shaq is still with the team and getting some PT. That's a good sign. I think WSU is good enough to win the Valley regardless but to go anywhere in the tournament it can't just be Carter alone in the post.

I like Jake White, but his numbers at Omaha against a far lower level of competition aren't anything special so far. He might have been useful for this season, but ultimately he just wasn't ever going to be a real contributor at WSU.

[Wufan]

I wouldn't say Jake wouldn't be a contributor, but likely not a star. Definitely could have used Jake this year. The point above that we may not have landed another post (Darius Carter, or Cle) is valid.