UIC/ Wichita
- Thread starter MR. LOCK
- Start date
Shockers seek cures for scoring quandary
Wichita State's basketball players snorkeled on Sunday morning and watched film in the afternoon.
If ever a team needed a water break, it was the Shockers after Saturday's discouraging 59-50 loss to Monmouth in the losers bracket of the Paradise Jam. The film session in a hotel ball room didn't reveal any easy fixes, and the Shockers are determined not to make excuses for their offensive problems. WSU shot 35 for 105 (33.3 percent) in the first two games of the tournament. WSU is an inexperienced team learning a new offense. They are not hiding behind those circumstances entering today's seventh-place game against Illinois-Chicago (2-2).
"We've just got to score, really," forward Ramon Clemente said. "The plays work. We get open, we've just got to put it in the basket."
WSU coach Gregg Marshall agrees. He counted three bad shots in the first 37 minutes -- before desperation set in -- against Monmouth. Monmouth's matchup zone deserves some credit for spoiling WSU's attack. Marshall is refining some aspects of the offense. Some players know it better than others. Many factors are at work, but ultimately the problem is simple.
"I'm not going to hang it all on 'It's a new system,' " he said. "We've got to make shots. We've got to make free throws."
WSU's numbers don't get any prettier upon closer inspection. After three games, WSU is shooting 37 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from three-point range. Senior P.J. Couisnard is 1 of 16 in the tournament and 4 for 22 this season. Senior Matt Braeuer is 4 of 16 from three-point range.
Couisnard also refuses to make excuses, either regarding the new offense or his sore legs. He fell hard on his back late in WSU's first exhibition game and he feels a step slow.
"Injuries are an excuse," he said. "I don't want to have any excuses."
The film study and the stats tell Couisnard he is shooting too many three-pointers. That is something he can fix immediately. Thirteen of his 22 shots this season are from behind the arc.
"Coach pointed out that I've got to be more aggressive going to the rack," he said. "People are leaving me open for threes, that's what they want me to do."
Clemente also said it's time to take more responsibility for scoring. He has taken 12 shots in three games.
"I've got to be an offensive threat," he said. "I'm putting it on too many other people's shoulders, like P.J., expecting too much out of him and expecting stuff out of other players."
WSU's issues won't be easy to work out today. Illinois-Chicago's 0-2 in the tournament looks strong compared to the Shockers. Winthrop handled the Flames easily on Friday, but they bounced back to play Charlotte close on Saturday. Illinois-Chicago already owns an 84-75 win over Bradley.
Guard Josh Mayo averages 19.5 points and makes 60 percent of his three-pointers. He scored 34 against Bradley.
"Tremendous scorer, tremendous shooter," Marshall said.
WSU, three games into the season, is not without hope. Marshall likes his team's effort on defense. The Shockers out-rebound opponents by 7.3 a game. Those factors can help the struggling offense.
"We're pretty good in transition, when we can get it and go," Marshall said.
Some of WSU's problems, however, probably will only go away with experience. A lot of new things are being thrown at the Shockers, and some are progressing faster than others. Too many Shockers are a step slow reacting, or hesitate a second too long before making a play that should come naturally.
"That's a big thing," Couisnard said. "I think a lot of people are out there thinking and trying to make sure they don't mess up instead of just playing. You've got to play sometimes and worry about what you did wrong afterward and learn from it."
? The Shockers have developed a nasty habit of fouling when they set screens. Coach Gregg Marshall said he agrees with most of the calls. One he did disagree with was a foul on freshman J.T. Durley in the first half of Saturday's loss to Monmouth. The foul wiped away a dunk by P.J. Couisnard.
? Keep an eye on Braeuer's minutes. Other coaches are. Baylor coach Scott Drew came out of the locker room after Friday's game and told Braeuer the Bears rotated defenders in an attempt to tire him out. Braeuer played 37 minutes Friday and 34 Saturday against Monmouth.
Wichita State's basketball players snorkeled on Sunday morning and watched film in the afternoon.
If ever a team needed a water break, it was the Shockers after Saturday's discouraging 59-50 loss to Monmouth in the losers bracket of the Paradise Jam. The film session in a hotel ball room didn't reveal any easy fixes, and the Shockers are determined not to make excuses for their offensive problems. WSU shot 35 for 105 (33.3 percent) in the first two games of the tournament. WSU is an inexperienced team learning a new offense. They are not hiding behind those circumstances entering today's seventh-place game against Illinois-Chicago (2-2).
"We've just got to score, really," forward Ramon Clemente said. "The plays work. We get open, we've just got to put it in the basket."
WSU coach Gregg Marshall agrees. He counted three bad shots in the first 37 minutes -- before desperation set in -- against Monmouth. Monmouth's matchup zone deserves some credit for spoiling WSU's attack. Marshall is refining some aspects of the offense. Some players know it better than others. Many factors are at work, but ultimately the problem is simple.
"I'm not going to hang it all on 'It's a new system,' " he said. "We've got to make shots. We've got to make free throws."
WSU's numbers don't get any prettier upon closer inspection. After three games, WSU is shooting 37 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from three-point range. Senior P.J. Couisnard is 1 of 16 in the tournament and 4 for 22 this season. Senior Matt Braeuer is 4 of 16 from three-point range.
Couisnard also refuses to make excuses, either regarding the new offense or his sore legs. He fell hard on his back late in WSU's first exhibition game and he feels a step slow.
"Injuries are an excuse," he said. "I don't want to have any excuses."
The film study and the stats tell Couisnard he is shooting too many three-pointers. That is something he can fix immediately. Thirteen of his 22 shots this season are from behind the arc.
"Coach pointed out that I've got to be more aggressive going to the rack," he said. "People are leaving me open for threes, that's what they want me to do."
Clemente also said it's time to take more responsibility for scoring. He has taken 12 shots in three games.
"I've got to be an offensive threat," he said. "I'm putting it on too many other people's shoulders, like P.J., expecting too much out of him and expecting stuff out of other players."
WSU's issues won't be easy to work out today. Illinois-Chicago's 0-2 in the tournament looks strong compared to the Shockers. Winthrop handled the Flames easily on Friday, but they bounced back to play Charlotte close on Saturday. Illinois-Chicago already owns an 84-75 win over Bradley.
Guard Josh Mayo averages 19.5 points and makes 60 percent of his three-pointers. He scored 34 against Bradley.
"Tremendous scorer, tremendous shooter," Marshall said.
WSU, three games into the season, is not without hope. Marshall likes his team's effort on defense. The Shockers out-rebound opponents by 7.3 a game. Those factors can help the struggling offense.
"We're pretty good in transition, when we can get it and go," Marshall said.
Some of WSU's problems, however, probably will only go away with experience. A lot of new things are being thrown at the Shockers, and some are progressing faster than others. Too many Shockers are a step slow reacting, or hesitate a second too long before making a play that should come naturally.
"That's a big thing," Couisnard said. "I think a lot of people are out there thinking and trying to make sure they don't mess up instead of just playing. You've got to play sometimes and worry about what you did wrong afterward and learn from it."
? The Shockers have developed a nasty habit of fouling when they set screens. Coach Gregg Marshall said he agrees with most of the calls. One he did disagree with was a foul on freshman J.T. Durley in the first half of Saturday's loss to Monmouth. The foul wiped away a dunk by P.J. Couisnard.
? Keep an eye on Braeuer's minutes. Other coaches are. Baylor coach Scott Drew came out of the locker room after Friday's game and told Braeuer the Bears rotated defenders in an attempt to tire him out. Braeuer played 37 minutes Friday and 34 Saturday against Monmouth.
wrong team favored... St faded late last yr.... lost best 2 big men....only win Last 8 came against ark pine Puff........ no answer for vandy & (JC) buttell inside .... I think the shockers have a tough yr....
Fuk it, I 'm on UIC for chump change:mj07:
STRAIGHT BET Risking: 100.00 To Win: 100.00
11/19/2007 @ 10:00 AM [515] ILLINOIS CHIC EV - CBB
Saw this afternoon tip and was already on the doggie. most agree Mr.Lock and Bryanz. Power rating swings nicely to Ill Chi with a rating of opponents played: IL-CHICAGO 68.2, WICHITA ST 65
IL Chi with one more game under their belt, a win against Bradley, dominance against a non-div 1A as should be agin IL-Springfield adding tough loss against two power opponents Winthrop and a buzzerbeat agin Charlotte. Shockers haven't played any power,best Baylor where they got trounced. also like the Flames 3-pt rank at 8th versus Shockers rank 311th. Got this in at +1 and most likely a pick soon.
Waiting for a total post thinking maybe a 122 or so. would take the over.
IL Chi with one more game under their belt, a win against Bradley, dominance against a non-div 1A as should be agin IL-Springfield adding tough loss against two power opponents Winthrop and a buzzerbeat agin Charlotte. Shockers haven't played any power,best Baylor where they got trounced. also like the Flames 3-pt rank at 8th versus Shockers rank 311th. Got this in at +1 and most likely a pick soon.
Waiting for a total post thinking maybe a 122 or so. would take the over.
I was thinking the same thing, all you read is how bad WSU has been shooting the ball, new offense, etc I think it will be a close game. I'll probably just layoff.
line swung back late money on Shockers now favored 1.5 ... wish this was televised. got over 58 first half
well lets hope chicago come back on the second half to break even, well gl guys gotta head out :S. got a big game tonite in the NHL taking taking the Tbay Lighting, they got their game stolen by atlanta last one, so hoping for a little revenge here 
. GL to ya all
. GL to ya allsportsline and ********* have ILL-CHI winning 32-28 and some sites have Wichita winning which is right thanks
Lol !! :mj07: CBSportsline has it Ill chi 32-28 as does covers,com. cstv has shockers withlead :mj07:
