Topic: I love all the publicity we are getting but...

[MU42]

Too many so called experts are picking us now. We are a trendy pick. These ppl knew nothing about us 4 days ago and then they read a few things about Elmore, Penava, and Burks and Dantoni’s style and now we are awesome. Lol

I like ppl being against us. I like being the underdog. It just has me worried that Wichita St will feel disrespected and come out harder than normal. Probably just me being nervous.

[herdadreh]

I understand MU42 but keep in mind - these guys have to sell advertising. IMO, Cinderella bracket-buster upsets are always overhyped because they sell better than "chalk".

Probably close to 1/2 of the 11 through 14 seeds get significant amounts of ink - here and there - for their upset potential. We are in that group.

We probably have a higher standard deviation of performance than typical, because of the way we play, and I think that is the popular logic behind the "Marshall can win this one" thinking. (If we have a 1/3 chance to win I'd be thrilled. Roll the die and give me a 5 or a 6.)

13s beat 4s almost 20% of the time, historically.

I wouldn't worry too much that we will not be prepared, if that is the concern, nor that our Cinderella-ness will make Wichita State more prepared.

[lovetheherd2]

If we start slow and can't hit the ocean with the ball, won't be pretty. We have done that a couple of times.

If the guys are tight & awed by the big dance, well maybe Dan should get there early with a tape measure like Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers".

Yup, basket is same height and rim same diameter as ours.... 8) 8)

[svherd]

If we start slow and can't hit the ocean with the ball, won't be pretty. We have done that a couple of times.

If the guys are tight & awed by the big dance, well maybe Dan should get there early with a tape measure like Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers".

Yup, basket is same height and rim same diameter as ours.... 8) 8)

Agree. We gotta start fast and hit some buckets, gain confidence that we can hang with them. If we do start slow and things don't go our way, it could snowball.  I have a good feeling about this game though. How awesome would it be to have us and Murray St win games and play/beat them for a sweet 16 birth!!!!!

[wasbarryb]

I find myself wondering if some of the people fearing us getting too much publicity aren't the same people who moan about us not getting enough respect.

[parshall2marshall]

As Danny pointed out, WSU is not overly tall, but has bulk. Someone posted their 5 weighs 279. WSU has a reputation for being relentless on the glass. We have to be ready to block out and fight tooth and nail for every rebound and loose ball.

WSU has not been typically defending the arc very well, but on the other hand they have a few guys of their own that can shoot the trey lights out.

We can't be tight or seemingly awed like we were for Xavier. We have to come in believing and tenacious with the attitude that we have nothing to lose.

 

[coalherd]

All the pundits, bracket experts and various and sundry talking heads can go 0-32 in their first round predictions.

And when the next basketball season and next tourney season rolls around, nobody will remember what they said, predicted, etc., in the prior season.  They will be back in the various media doing the same thing, making seemingly outrageous predictions, statements, etc. 

After all, it is called March MADNESS!!!

[chris88]

I said in a post before the seedings that Marshall will more than likely be sent far away and vs teams that play to our weaknesses....that's the way the selection committee counters having to put in teams not from top leagues and giving top league teams best chance to advance.  Wichita state is in top 10 in rebounding and rebounding margin and WV is one of better rebounding teams. Rebounding issues and inability to score in half court are generally 2 of best predictors of teams that struggle in early rounds....but nothing is absolute.

To have ANY chance we need to rebound well.  I am encouraged that we have rebounded better since inserting Williams into lineup (last 4 games) and have been collapsing more around rim but keeping Peneva out of foul trouble will also be a real challenge with Shockers 2 bigs down low. If we board well and shoot well from outside...and finish our drives with buckets and/or FTs it could get interesting.  If not it might be a long game.  But that's why you play the games!

Btw the preview article was wrong saying we didn't beat anyone in tourney, I believe we beat NC Central.....of course they got waxed last night

[bighat]

We have not won a game in the NCAA's.

[JEP3rd]

Too many so called experts are picking us now. We are a trendy pick. These ppl knew nothing about us 4 days ago and then they read a few things about Elmore, Penava, and Burks and Dantoni’s style and now we are awesome. Lol

I like ppl being against us. I like being the underdog. It just has me worried that Wichita St will feel disrespected and come out harder than normal. Probably just me being nervous.

I generally agree to a low-profile thing... but for now, I have to also admit the advance publicity is good for Marshall to gain a new audience, and for more media familiarity about the storylines possible. That could help for next year's pre-season thinking and vote-getting among writers and broadcasters, even if Marshall loses against Wichita State. At least, the stories are out there about Marshall basketball again, and the D'Antoni family's legacy in it.

Here's CBS' experts picking the brackets, which don't look good to the Herd, so at least this group isn't 'trendy' in their picks:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2018-ncaa-tournament-expert-brackets-march-madness-title-picks-upset-predictions/

But I do like this one writer's expert pick... I hope it goes much further than where he stops... with a matchup all the way to Villanova... and BTW, would be nice to avenge that 1984 84-72 loss to the Wildcats in the NCAA's:

https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2018/03/12/993de061-018b-45c8-94e1-ca7093998c1b/cpattersonncaat.jpg

[coalherd]

Agree with chris88 in that we have to be very competitive in the rebounding department, especially on the Shockers offensive end of the floor:  can't give WSU 2 and 3 second shots a possession.  Other key, IMO, is to minimize our turnover, especially those resulting from being in a rush on the offensive end and unforced turnovers.  Sometimes, to me, we go TOO OFTEN to the long lob pass at the goal which seems to end up with an errant pass, a wild, off balanced shot, and/or a turnover more than it does with a Herd goal.

On the other hand, I believe that offensively as a group our three big "guns" are playing pretty well offensively.  Don't believe all of them can have an off game at the same time.  And I stand by what I said in a post a few days ago, I believe C.J. Burks had his offensive "off" game in the CUSA tourney.  I look for more offensive production out of C.J. on Friday afternoon!!

[herdadreh]

A more or less normal late-season effort from the Herd might be enough to win.

[Flat Tire 2]

delete

[lexkyherdfan]

I love the publicity.  so far today there has been very few upsets...tomorrow should be wild.  I just hope our game is a wild one and we get the big win.

[QuickStrike]

Need Jansen to be hitting his 3s early.

[herdgameplan]

All our players need to watch out for ball fakes, reaching in fouls, and making stupid mistakes. Rebound and help each other out and play with confidence as a team.

[Scottyo614]

Guys until MTSUs collapse there was no reason to talk about us on a mid major level. I’ve heard nothing but positive since then. Our coach, let’s face it oozes charisma and is a great interview. We are a trendy pick because we are a fun team. I think also people know CUSA usually pulls an upset or two. I’m soaking it all in. Get Dan in front of as many people as possible so younger people see us and either want to come or recruits want to come.

If it helps, Vegas says we are the underdog  ;D

[bbcard1]

We have not won a game in the NCAA's.

True that. My daughter goes to Radford and for them it was great they got a play-in game.  If the hadn't the were going to be a 16 seed and in all likelihood lose by 20 or more to a top seed.  That still happened but by winning their play-in game, they can now say that they have won a game in the NCAA tournament. I think we have a puncher's chance today.

[bighat]

Just win.