WSU next year

[glm38]

I don't think there's any question WSU will be the class of the MVC next year. But I'm left wondering how good can they be?

[Rollbird5]

Everybody has pretty lofty goals since it's Baker/Van Vleet/Wessel's last go around so I'd say anything less than a sweet sixteen would be disappointing but there's absolutely potential for another final four run depending on matchups and how players step into Cotton/Carter's starting roles and roles off the bench with the new recruits

[AndShock]

There definitely isn't a ceiling for how good they can be next year. College basketball will be down as a whole and WSU will be better next year. Marshall has already said next year could be the best team yet. I don't particularly see how they will be better than the undefeated team, but I'm not one to doubt Marshall's words. A national championship is certainly possible and that is exactly what Marshall is shooting for.

[Redbird23]

16-2 in conference play and a round of 32 appearance

[Cdizzle]

16-2 in conference play and a round of 32 appearance

A very fine season indeed.

Also, 2 conference losses? More than the last 2 years combined? Ballsy.

[2livewu]

A lot depends on the last addition.

A quality big man would probably place them firmly in the preseason top 10. Combine that with just decent development from any 2 combo of Shaq, Kelly and Bush and you've got a much improved inside game vs last year on offense but especially on defense.

We'll never replace Cotton, but Frankamp is a lights out shooter and Zac Brown should be better.

With Marshall in control, I'm sure WSU will be a tough out for everyone on their schedule. They should imho compete, strongly, for a protected seed and with the departure of Lynch, should be odds on to win both MVC titles, barring the unexpected.

Baker is 41-2 against current Valley teams. Wessel is 46-2. VanVleet a modest 52-7 by comparison. With those 3, and a capable support staff, another year in the top 25 seems more likely than not for the Shocks.

[Stickboy46]

16-2 in conference play and a round of 32 appearance

A very fine season indeed.

Also, 2 conference losses? More than the last 2 years combined? Ballsy.

While that would be a dream season for just about any other MVC team, that would be slightly disappointing for WSU next year. Next year is a 18-0,17-1 type team with a minimum of a Sweet 16, and realistic chance at a FF/NC.

[Redbird23]

16-2 in conference play and a round of 32 appearance

A very fine season indeed.

Also, 2 conference losses? More than the last 2 years combined? Ballsy.

While that would be a dream season for just about any other MVC team, that would be slightly disappointing for WSU next year. Next year is a 18-0,17-1 type team with a minimum of a Sweet 16, and realistic chance at a FF/NC.

With Lynch gone I'm adding one more win to their Valley total. Hoping we can still get them in BloNo but I still think they get tripped up somewhere

[Cdizzle]

With Lynch gone I'm adding one more win to their Valley total. Hoping we can still get them in BloNo but I still think they get tripped up somewhere

Very likely. 18-0 is crazy-town. Even 17-1 is pretty freaking crazy in a true round-robin league of decent quality like the Valley.

[glm38]

A lot depends on the last addition.

A quality big man would probably place them firmly in the preseason top 10. Combine that with just decent development from any 2 combo of Shaq, Kelly and Bush and you've got a much improved inside game vs last year on offense but especially on defense.

We'll never replace Cotton, but Frankamp is a lights out shooter and Zac Brown should be better.

With Marshall in control, I'm sure WSU will be a tough out for everyone on their schedule. They should imho compete, strongly, for a protected seed and with the departure of Lynch, should be odds on to win both MVC titles, barring the unexpected.

Baker is 41-2 against current Valley teams. Wessel is 46-2. VanVleet a modest 52-7 by comparison. With those 3, and a capable support staff, another year in the top 25 seems more likely than not for the Shocks.

Good post. I think if the Shox add a quality big man as you say then it's possible they return to the final 4. I think a round of 32 finish would be disappointing in VanVleet and Baker's senior year.