Sean - My guess (a very undereducated one) is that the universe is filled with several different sized spheres from several big bangs originating at several moments in time. This perspective is 3D at a frozen point in time and is only dealing with matter, not empty space. Of course if space itself has a certain shape then those spheres could form a larger pattern expanding and flowing to the shape of that definite space. I believe personally that space is infinite and that matter that does not have the mass to pull itself back to its source will expand forever. Taking in all this, the over all shape of the material universe is amorphous. Yes, this theory could probably get hit hard with dimensional relativity and time distortion and quantum theory and all, but is anyone up to it? Sorry, if I didn't address what you were actually asking Sean. I am only slightly familiar with the theory that I think you are referring to about curved space.