By: Wichita State
Mercer (6-4) vs. Wichita State (7-3)
7:05 p.m. ? Mon., December 29, 2008 ? Charles Koch Arena (10,502) ? Wichita, Kan.
Radio: KNSS 1330 AM (Brian Petrotta) / www.shockerradio.com
In a week usually full of gatherings with family and friends in celebration of the holidays, Jody Adams' goal for the Wichita State women's basketball team is to remain focused on what lies ahead. The Shockers begin what could arguably be called one of the most important weeks of the season when they play host to Mercer at 7:05 p.m., Monday night inside Charles Koch Arena. It's a week that ends with the first weekend of conference play, as WSU hosts Bradley on Friday before taking on UNI on Sunday.
"I think the next week is very important," Adams said. "You obviously want to be playing your best basketball going into conference play. This week is a focus on refining the things we want to do well and perfect them."
The Shockers appear to be on their way to that goal. Over the last five games WSU is 4-1, and shooting nearly 43-percent as a team. The guards have begun to settle in as the team's three-point shooting percentage during the same span is nearly 39-percent. WSU has outrebounded its opponents by 2.0 boards per contest and has forced an average of 22.6 turnovers per game while cutting down its own miscues to an average of 19 per game over the last three weeks.
While the Shockers have been playing well, it faces a crossroads to its season now. Mercer is currently No. 124 in the RPI, and a win over the Bears would serve as a huge confidence boost before Bradley (No. 108 in RPI) invades Wichita on Friday. Two of WSU's three losses have come to teams ranked in the top 125 of the RPI, a road loss at No. 107 Memphis and a home loss to No. 49 Kent State. The Shockers lost each of those games by seven points, and each provided a confidence boost as WSU proceeded to post its biggest wins of the year a game after the losses.
It's a week that Wichita State can use to build upon for the rest of the season, but it will take a great effort Monday night against Mercer to begin the momentum push the Shockers are hungry for. The Bears average nearly 70 points per game, and are one of the top shooting teams in the nation. Mercer also already has two road wins this season.
"Mercer is a very good team," Adams said. "They are very athletic and put up a lot of points. They have some very good shooters and have some very talented players. The mix up their defenses well and are very efficient offensively. They will be a great test for us as we prepare to open play in the Valley."
