Sometimes you wake up and read the paper and you are less-than-pleased by the story you wrote the night before. Sometimes the feeling is even less satisfactory. I walked off the court last night thinking that Reggie Chamberlain was the most interesting angle to Monday’s exhibition win over Emporia State. I thought that during the interview session and after the questions and answers. Somehow, I failed to relay that development adequately in the story.
Most of Monday’s game went as expected. I did not expect Reggie Chamberlain to play the final four minutes of that game. WSU led, but it wasn’t in the deep freeze yet. I kept waiting for Clevin Hannah to check in and guide WSU during crunch time. After, WSU coach Gregg Marshall said the two are close in the race to start. That is good news for the Shockers, because I think Hannah has played well in the practices I’ve watched. Chamberlain, in my mind, has been less noticeable. Not bad, just not as assertive and confident as Hannah.
“Clevin has obviously won the spot, but it’s not like Secretariat and a plowhorse,” Marshall said. “It’s pretty close. Chamberlain can play.”
Monday’s performance in the closing minutes should be a boost to Chamberlain’s confidence (and maybe that was the plan). Marshall likes his shooting ability. He is also an excellent free-throw shooter, a handy asset in close games. I think Chamberlain’s solid performance (11 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 3-of-3 from three) is a nice step for the Shockers out of the exhibition game. Three assists and two turnovers is not ideal, but Chamberlain’s performance is definitely something for him to build on.
“If coach leaves me out there, I believe in what coach is doing,” Chamberlain said. “When I’m out there, I just worry about what’s going on the court. Just trying to maintain the tempo and keep the score up for us.”
- I’ve lost track of how the stand-and-clap tradition has changed over the seasons. For years, fans stood and clapped until the Shockers scored until a coach – I think Scott Thompson – changed it to clap for defense because he thought it put too much pressure on his team to score. Not a bad point in those days. Randy Smithson changed it back to clap for offense as part of the MXTE2 return to the old traditions. Mark Turgeon liked clap for defense better. At least that is the way I remember it. Now Marshall wants to make a small adjustment – stand and clap until the opponent scores a basket from the field. Since you can’t defend a free throw, I guess it makes sense. Anybody know when this tradition started?
- Marshall liked J.T. Durley’s game. He took two charges and showed some effort on defense. Durley looked good on offense, inside and out, as expected. “The threes that he took were wide open, in rhythm threes,” Marshall said. “He’s played better. He’s just got to continue to get to the point where he can play more extended minutes in a quality way.”
- One of my biggest concerns would be rebounding. The Shockers out-rebounded ESU 37-29. I think you would like to see a bigger margin against a small Division II eam. Hornets guard Lamar Wilbern had nine, more than any Shocker other than Ramon Clemente. Durley and Garrett Stutz need to rebound better. WSU led the MVC in rebound margin last season. This area will get lots of attention in practice.
- It will be interesting to watch A.J. Hawkins this week in practice and in Sunday’s game. He got a clear message about defense in the second half. He can be an excellent defender, but Marshall is not going to put up with less-than-great effort. Let’s remember this was Hawkins’ first game after sitting out last season. He may need an adjustment period. From Marshall’s view, the good thing is this season he has enough depth to sit Hawkins and play somebody else. Graham Hatch played well on defense, another good sign for the Shockers. He is quicker and more confident than last season.
- The best news of the night might have been the injury report. Aaron Ellis (sprained toe) may return Thursday to practice. Mantas Griskenas has a sprained ankle (not a strained Achilles as I was originally told) and he may practice Thursday. Both could play Sunday against Florida A&M in the opener. The Rattlers won an exhibition game Monday against NAIA Warner Southern.
- If you missed the announcements during the game, Wu’s 60th birthday party is Dec. 19 during the UMKC game. WSU has compiled a slide show of Wu through the years. WSU taking donations for Toys for Tots that night. No gifts for Wu, and certainly no birthday candles.
- The highlight of my night: Meeting Doug Moe, who is the father of ESU coach David Moe.