We spent most of November and December worrying about WSU’s offense. While that part of the game remains an issue, the Shockers are shooting better in recent games – 46 percent, 50, 48.7 in the past three games. From three, they are 30 of 69 (43.4) percent in the past four games. Unfortunately, WSU’s offense is locked in a feast-or-famine cycle. The Shockers make shots. Or they turn the ball over – 19 or more in three of the past four games. Opponents are getting more shots than the Shockers (12 more by MSU, seven more by UNI).
WSU’s defense has become the larger problem. Its lack of quickness at guard and shotblockers inside leaves WSU vulnerable to, well, everything. MVC opponents are shooting 48.8 percent and 45.3 percent from behind the arc. MSU had not shot better than 40 percent in eight straight games. The Bears made 23 of 51 shots (45.1 percent) against WSU.
WSU coach Gregg Marshall took responsibility for not preparing his team after the game. It is refreshing to hear a coach take some of the hit. Some coaches are reluctant to say those words. Whether or not he really adequately prepared WSU is almost irrelevant (and I’m sure he did from a tactical standpoint). It is important for him to get in the foxhole with his team. It is also good to take the heat off his players, who are obviously deep in a crisis of confidence. He is the adult. He is getting paid. While Marshall is ultimately responsible, I think it is the players who must get themselves ready to play hard from the start. My observation is that Marshall must spend a lot of time and energy trying to supply passion and motivation that needs to come from players. I’ve watched enough practices and shoot-arounds (with Marshall and Mark Turgeon) to have seen coaches explain a point clearly only to have the players space it off in games. Bradley’s Jim Les told David Collins to expect WSU to run the pick play late in the game and Collins still ran over Clevin Hannah. In the end, coaches wear the wins and losses. Game to game, players must reach a point where they are locked in and enthusiastic without a coach holding their hands. Like many things with WSU, experience will help.
We’ve reached a point where some fans are going to start running off players and rebuilding the Shockers with new recruits. They should remember that continuity, experience and youth are WSU’s biggest problems. Major roster changes will be a bad sign. Nobody feared MSU’s Wade Knapp last season when he averaged 2.4 points. Check out the improvement on Illinois State’s Dinma Odiakosa from the start of his career to today. If WSU improves next season, it will be in large part because the returners are older and more mature.
“WSU coach Gregg Marshall took responsibility for not preparing his team after the game. It is refreshing to hear a coach take some of the hit.”
I’m sorry, but since Marshall never takes blame and always gives it to the players (Waiver Wire, etc?), I don’t think we should be so quick to pat him on the back because he finally acknowledged that he’s getting his head handed to him every night in the Valley. MSU was seriously reeling before last night, and they played as if WSU wasn’t even there. I for one am starting to worry. I might be the only one, but a potential 0-8 start in the Valley is a bad thing.
Don’t let the wagon wheels run over you as your jumping off the bandwagon baby21.
SWMO has 4 seniors. They were playing at home. Sh_t happens. WSU not going to be able to compete until Marshall has his players in the system and they have some player leadership.
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“WSU coach Gregg Marshall took responsibility for not preparing his team after the game. It is refreshing to hear a coach take some of the hit.”
I’m sorry, but since Marshall never takes blame and always gives it to the players (Waiver Wire, etc?), I don’t think we should be so quick to pat him on the back because he finally acknowledged that he’s getting his head handed to him every night in the Valley. MSU was seriously reeling before last night, and they played as if WSU wasn’t even there. I for one am starting to worry. I might be the only one, but a potential 0-8 start in the Valley is a bad thing.
Don’t let the wagon wheels run over you as your jumping off the bandwagon baby21.
SWMO has 4 seniors. They were playing at home. Sh_t happens. WSU not going to be able to compete until Marshall has his players in the system and they have some player leadership.