Congrats to the Shockers

[BlackwellSooner]

31-0 on the season. Sure the Missouri Valley no longer deserves the appellation of "The Valley of Death", but still impressive to sweep the board.

I used to live in Wichita during the Dave Stallworth to Jamie Thompson to Warren Armstrong years when Shocker basketball was great.

Not too shabby this year, either.

 

[ksSooner13]

Since my Dad went to WSU in the Early 80s, during the MTXE years, I grew up watching and still watch a lot of Shocker Basketball/and Baseball (Even though I know a lot of Sooner fans will forever hate Gene Stephenson, he's a legend in my parents house).

It's amazing what Marshall has turned those 3 star and 2 star players into something amazing... they have a system, they know the system, and they always play full out. Like them or not, 31-0 is something we may never see again.

Woo Shoxs :clap:clap

 

[WTSooner]

It is cool to see, but unfortunately, they will probably be upset early in the Dance. Just hard to win that many games in a row, and they will probably be facing the 2nd toughest team they've played all season by the 2nd round. Definitely by the 3rd.

I think they deserve a #1 seed if they win out b/c winning that many games in a row against any schedule is pretty special, but boy are they unchallenged.

 

[mict085]

They are for real. They're better and deeper than last years final four team that nearly beat Louisville to play for a title. The tourney is all about the draw and matchups. This team matches up well with anyone. Great coaching, great guard play, strong in the paint, and fearless. I don't see how anyone that has actually watched them play can continue to doubt them.

 

[garyeb2]

They are for real. They're better and deeper than last years final four team that nearly beat Louisville to play for a title. The tourney is all about the draw and matchups. This team matches up well with anyone. Great coaching, great guard play, strong in the paint, and fearless. I don't see how anyone that has actually watched them play can continue to doubt them.

You may be right. But, there is an old saying that is right more often than not. I goes like this, "you are only as good as the league you play in."

 

[bgrch1350]

You may be right. But, there is an old saying that is right more often than not. I goes like this, "you are only as good as the league you play in."

Come tournament time, none of that matters. They might as well erase 31-0 because its all about who's going 6-0. And they have just as good of a chance as the rest of the league because there are no great teams this year. Especially since Mich St and Arizona are banged up.

 

[WTSooner]

Come tournament time, none of that matters. They might as well erase 31-0 because its all about who's going 6-0. And they have just as good of a chance as the rest of the league because there are no great teams this year. Especially since Mich St and Arizona are banged up.

You'll never convince me that they have "as good a chance as the rest", when they will likely have to win 5 games against teams that are better than all but one team they've played this season.

 

[bgrch1350]

You'll never convince me that they have "as good a chance as the rest", when they will likely have to win 5 games against teams that are better than all but one team they've played this season.

This team is better than the team that barely lost to the National Champions in the final 4. Those back to back Butler teams that went to the championship games only won one quality win in non conference in 2 years and that didn't stop them.

 

[stormspencer]

You'll never convince me that they have "as good a chance as the rest", when they will likely have to win 5 games against teams that are better than all but one team they've played this season.

This...and just like you mentioned in a previous post...there is a good chance that they will be facing the 2nd best team that they have played all year when they get to the 2nd round.

Same thing happened with Gonzaga as a 1 seed last year. They played one of the best teams that they had faced all year in the 2nd round and lost....which, ironically, happened to be Wichita State.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

You may be right. But, there is an old saying that is right more often than not. I goes like this, "you are only as good as the league you play in."

Another old saying is that you can only play the schedule that's in front of you. This team was a whisker away from the final game and by most pundits opinions this team is better. 31-0 is impressive in the CYO league.

 

[TINY]

I have a feeling they will be the first victim for a 16-seed.

This may be the weakest bunch of 1 & 2 seeds of my lifetime.

 

[opsooner]

It is impressive to go undefeated no matter the conference and they do definitely deserve the #1 seed if they win their conference tournament - maybe regardless of that. There is no doubt they are very good based on their record this year and their performance in the tournament last year.

On the other hand they will not surprise anyone this year in the tournament and everyone will be ready for them. If they can repeat what they did last year it will be very impressive.

Who knows? Butler was national runner-up 2 years in a row.

 

[ICTSooner2]

I have a feeling they will be the first victim for a 16-seed.

This may be the weakest bunch of 1 & 2 seeds of my lifetime.

WSU will not lose to a 16 (or 15). This is a group of mentally tough guys who play as a team, with a combination of athleticism, basketball skill/talent and almost to a man, high basketball IQs. Everyone knows their role and plays to it and for the most part they don't try to do too much. Put that together with Marshall's coaching and motivation, and it is easy to see how they have achieved their success. Get past the first round and then it is all about matchups, but I like their chances at another deep run.

That said, I see a lot of parallels to how Kruger is rebuilding the program at OU. Start with good guards and build around them. Can see the coaching staff's work in getting them to be smarter basketball players/team. One thing that I think can't be overlooked is how almost everyone has improved their shooting. Most of that is work in the gym, but it starts with coaching proper mechanics. Kruger and Henson would still win free throw shooting contests - I doubt there is as good a couple of shooting coaches in college basketball as those two.