Sunday’s game provided about what one should expect when the MVC favorite plays the team picked for ninth. WSU’s offensive problems continue to be frustrating. They are issues only time and recruiting will help. In balance, the Shockers took a very inexperienced bunch on the road for the first time in the MVC and didn’t fall apart. The crowd of almost 18,000 never became a factor.
- The simplest way to look at WSU’s problem is that the Shockers can’t get more than two or three players to score effectively in one game. Last night, it was Clevin Hannah, Toure Murry and A.J. Hawkins. In the previous game, Hannah and Murry shot poorly. WSU will take a step when coach Gregg Marshall knows what he will get from each player on most nights.
- Hawkins is one guy who continues to score consistently. Nine or more points in six straight games.
- Bradley, Wednesday’s opponent, leads the MVC in blocked shots. Creighton is second. WSU’s big men can’t be a non-factor again. In addition to their poor shooting (3-19), they failed to get to the line. J.T. Durley, Ramon Clemente, Aaron Ellis and Garrett Stutz combined to shoot four free throws against Creighton. My impression of WSU’s big men is that they get the ball, then wait too long to make a move. That gives the defense time to help. I think there are times when the guards don’t do a good enough job of giving the ball to open big men. Remember the play early in the game when Creighton’s Kenny Lawson got the ball, gave it up and got it back in better position in the lane? WSU works on “post and repost” almost daily in practice. Fundamentals like that need to improve. So does their strength and power. Patience.
- Creighton did not impress me as much as anticipated. The Jays had been playing very well against some solid competition. If you’re a Creighton fan, I think every team is evaluated on two levels; 1) Can CU win the MVC? and 2) Can CU get to the Sweet 16. Really, those are the only significant markers for that program. I think CU can win the MVC. They are certainly good enough to do that. I don’t see them as a Sweet 16 team. I see Creighton as a good team with some very good shooters. Their big men might be too young and their rebounding too weak to make a Sweet 16 push. I don’t think they have players as good as Funk and Tolliver from two years ago. Now, if Justin Carter makes a big improvement, my opinion might change. He looks like a guy who can really help as he gets more comfortable with his new team. Creighton is good because its shooters spread the defense, then they can drive and score in the lane. Can they do those things against better teams and better athletes?
- Since scoring 30 points against New Mexico in the opener, P’Allen Stinnett has not scored more than 18. He seems to have willingly (at least somewhat) taken a back seat to Booker Woodfox. He did not force many shots against WSU. For a short time, he took over the game and then stepped back into the shadows. He is a talent and I think Creighton will need him to do more scoring as the season goes on.
Around the Valley
- SIU may be in bigger trouble than I thought. Bradley had lost three of five and looked shakey in a win entering Sunday’s game. The Braves did almost everything right against the Salukis.
- The Omaha perspective on Sunday’s game.
- I talked to Todd Golden today. Bad deal. I can’t think of a worse place to be stuck in December in the MVC than Cedar Falls. Brrrrrrrr and far from home. Lots of good news for the Sycamores, on the other hand. No team needed a win on Sunday more than Indiana State.
- Illinois State is 12-0 after a tougher-than-expected win over Missouri State. MSU’s Will Creekmore had 19 and 11 in his fourth game as a Bear.