Samurai Shodown help

[RS]

I bought the Samurai Showdown anthology for Nintendo Wii. I like the game but even on easy I am getting my butt kicked. I am familiar with the Street Fighter games and reasonable good at them but this game is way different. So far, this is what I've figured out-

1. Counterstriking is more important than quick offense.
2. The special moves are basically worthless for most characters
3. How do you throw people? In SFII, if you get close 90% you can do a throw. In this game it seems random when it works or not.
4. Haromura is the best character, most well rounded, no?

Any tips on how to beat this game (so I can quit play it)?

RS