Vandy/Wichita St.

[nchiappetta]

Does anyone else think this line is a little high? I have looked at the last 10 games or so for each team and Wichita St.'s only questionable loss came back on @ Bradley on 2/12 by 6. All the other losses have come to NCAA tournament teams N. Iowa (by 1), Creighton in the conference semis, So. Illinois, and Miami-OH (NIT team).

Vanderbilt, also has been playing well, but more recently loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament. It just seems like these teams are a little more evenly matched than 7 point spread.

Any thoughts?

 

[HoopsGuru]

only possible reasons for the high line i've seen touched by a few people are: 1. its a tough gym to get adjusted to, scoring is tough in the 1st half getting used to their setup of the court. 2. wich st has had little or no rest for the past week and traveling sunday for this game and vandy has had 5 days to prepare for this game. wich st is a solid team and i expect them to stay within the number but if they start out slow it could get ugly. good luck

 

[nchiappetta]

Thanks HoopsGuru,

Have 1 question:

1) What is so different about Vandy's gym that it takes that long to get used to that it would effect the game?

 

[kcwolf]

Being from Wichita, I thought I'd throw out a few observations.

HC Mark Turgeon shook up his starting line up for basically the first time this season for the NIT. Sr. guard Randy Burns was benched (sore hip, but think he probably was going to be benched anyway) for Fr. Sean Ogirri. I think the best change was going with Fr. PJ Cousinard over Rob Kampman.

It presents a shorter line up with more team speed. It seems to have rejuvenated the team.

They shoot the 3's fairly well. The Shockers forte is rebounding, out rebounding 26 of 31 opponents. They will usually give you 40 minutes of in your face half-court defense. I feel they match up well against Vandy guards Smith & Moore.

As mentioned, we all know Memorial Gym is a very tough on visitors. I think the Commodores have only lost two home games this year - Kentucky & Florida.

WSU plays fairly away from home, 8-5. Road wins include N Iowa, Providence, Drake, Tulsa, SMSU, Austin Peay - blew big lead at Creighton. Only 3 of 9 losses by more than 7. Creighton twice and Illinois St.

Worries I have about WSU:

They have shot close to 70% L2. FT shooting very inconsistent.

Some things to ponder.

 

[HoopsGuru]

vandy's gym is weird that i believe the fans are far away from the court, and there is a lot of room on the perimeter of the court. when you see the game you'll understand what i mean. its really obscure and teams just struggle to score there. i would wait for the half and evaluate the situation.

 

[flapjack]

Q for kcwolf:

I was not aware that Burns was benched. Will he be benched for this game as well? There is a player prop on Burns vs Moore. Being on the road in a difficult gym made me lean towards Moore in the first place, but if Burns is on the pine, that makes this much more tempting.

 

[IntenseOperator]

another reason to have this high line....

Vanderbilt - 9-0 ATS at home off a non-conference game

Vandy shoots just shy of 50% at home

I'm on the Shockers