#10 Northern Iowa at #11 Wichita State, WINNER TAKE ALL

[glm38]

Washpun only goes left. Just throwing that out there. Seriously, even when he goes right, he's going to try to finish left. Not stopping that was the real problem WSU had in the first meeting. It created all sorts of problems. Ria'n Holland was the only WSU player that forced Washpun right, and he threw up two ugly "shots" off the backboard. Everything else was left, and it allowed the defense to be diced.

This is true and nobody seems to be able to stop it. I don't know if its because Wes looks so damn goofy and unorthodox when he's got the ball or what it is, but everybody forces him right and somehow he ends up in the air finishing with his left hand.

Washpun is one of those freaky athletic guys that isn't a natural basketball player, so everything looks so damn difficult for him.

I concur, but a bigger factor is whether Wes is under control or not. When he is amped and under control (as he was in the first game), there are very few who can deal with his quickness and athleticism. When he is out of control, he is his own worst enemy.

He hasn't been out of control much at all this year though has he?

[unipanther99]

He hasn't been out of control much at all this year though has he?

Not much. Last night is probably the exception, some shades of last year. What's helpful is it seems when either Washpun or Mitchell struggles, the other excels.

[uniftw]

He hasn't been out of control much at all this year though has he?

He was last night...he was pulled and Deon became Wes. I'd never seen Deon play like that.

You are correct though, he hasn't been out of control for much if at all, this season

[achrist70]

The Panthers have been pretty lucky this year, just about every game either Wes or Deon has been good, the only game I would say that neither one had a good game was at Evansville and Wes actually had 11 but was out of control most of that game.

[Cdizzle]

The Panthers have been pretty lucky this year, just about every game either Wes or Deon has been good, the only game I would say that neither one had a good game was at Evansville and Wes actually had 11 but was out of control most of that game.

Put me in the camp that doesn't think this is 'lucky.' At some point, you are just good and deep, and I think UNI is that.

Reminds me of fans constantly saying "WSU looks so beatable" after getting beat by double digits at home. At some point, it has to start to ring a little hollow.

[Kyle]

Biggest game in the history of the conference. Should be a fun one.

[unipanther99]

Biggest game in the history of the conference. Should be a fun one.

Probably the biggest game in the modern history of the conference as we know it today. The history of this conference goes back a long way with some really good basketball.

[ACECARD]

Was listening to a podcast with Jerry Palm last night and he believes that if WSU is swept by UNI (including the conf championship), then WSU will be a bubble team at 26-5 on Selection Sunday because they lack any wins over surefire tourney teams. Their best win is Tulsa who is on the bubble right now.

Anyone else believe this?

I would like to believe it, but at home, I think the Shocks will win. They are used to pressure games, and UNI not so much.

So, you would like to believe that a 26-5 WSU team won't make the tournament?

Either that, or a first round loss. Take your pick.

[Cdizzle]

Either that, or a first round loss. Take your pick.

Just making sure I understood correctly. I assume you would also like to return any NCAA shares WSU gains for the conference as well. Not like your program needs it or anything.

[rlh04d]

Was listening to a podcast with Jerry Palm last night and he believes that if WSU is swept by UNI (including the conf championship), then WSU will be a bubble team at 26-5 on Selection Sunday because they lack any wins over surefire tourney teams. Their best win is Tulsa who is on the bubble right now.

Anyone else believe this?

No.

27-5, 19 RPI, 90 SOS, 34 Noncon SOS. Not going to be close to left out in that scenario. Probably no worse than an 8 seed.

I don't know who was going to win the last game and I don't know who will win this one. WSU has the advantage being at home, but I think both teams are just about identical in talent this year. It'll come down to which team is shooting well and how the officiating goes. If the refs let us get away with what they let Evansville do, we'll win. If they're touchy, Shaq's fouling out, and Carter might, too.