The RoundHouse | 11/17/2017 2:56:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop

Wichita State's volleyball team is No. 16 in the NCAA power rankings (RPI) this week, which is good news and inconclusive.
 
The NCAA will select 16 sites to host the first- and second-round matches (starting Nov. 30) and the RPI is an accurate way to start determining host sites. It is not unprecedented for teams below to host. Strength of schedule or geography could alter the order in the NCAA's mind.
 
Shocker coach Chris Lamb is glad to be in this position. Much can change, however, so he is also realistic.
 
"What's been good is that it trended upward," he said. "We've done everything we could do to put ourselves in position to make the NCAA Tournament. Talk to me about hosting when I see our RPI and everybody else around us."
 
The Shockers have four matches remaining, two against Memphis, which ranks No. 272 in the RPI. Win and the Shocker RPI may slip.
 
"We've got two matches with Memphis waiting for us, and I know what those things do to RPI," he said. "I also know there's still two more weeks of non-con that could go in a lot of directions."
 
This region is filled with strong teams and that could also work against WSU. No. 5 Texas, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 9 Creighton, No. 12 Kansas, No. 15 Iowa State and No. 17 Baylor could all compete with Wichita State, assuming each school bid.
 
NCAA bids and sites are announced on Nov. 26.
 
Glad to be back - Chadrack Lufile played two seasons for Wichita State basketball and learned many things. He didn't always realize how much he learned until after his college days.
 
Lufile, from Ontario, Canada, is in Wichita for several days to work out in preparation for his next professional gig overseas. He watched Monday's game against College of Charleston. He remembers the 2013 and 2014 seasons fondly. The Shockers won a lot and he said his experiences helped get him ready for life after college.
 
It wasn't always easy.
 
"I thought Coach (Gregg) Marshall and the coaches were picking on me," he said. "That wasn't the case. Leaving school, I actually got a rude awakening on what it takes to be great. Not taking days off. Holding yourself accountable, which is tough for guys that haven't been pushed to do that."
 
Lufile started 11 games in his two seasons after transferring from Coffeyville Community College, averaging 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds. When he saw Marshall this week, he said he told him that his time at Wichita State showed him how to live and work after college.
 
"Being here, Coach Marshall kind of sets everybody up for real-life situations," Lufile said. "Holding the players accountable for being on time. Remembering to be responsible. Staying in shape. Watching what you eat. I enjoyed every minute of it, but I was being young-minded my junior year."
 
Lufile played professionally for Cape Breton in Nova Scotia last winter (matching up against former Shocker Carl Hall in one game) and in Malaysia over the summer.
 
"I'm trying to take a big step to a big team," he said. "My main goal is to play this season and go to some NBA mini-camps."
 
Returning to Koch Arena brought back memories. In his junior season, Wichita State advanced to the Final Four. As a senior, he played for team that went 35-0 before losing to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. He joined teammates Fred VanVleet, Cleanthony Early, Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton on a Sports Illustrated cover.
 
"You're never going to have fans like this, that love you and care for you like this," he said. "These are (coaches) that care for you and they're pushing you. In real life, you don't have people there doing that for you. Holding your hand. Making sure you go to class. Making sure you're in the gym. Making sure you're practicing and getting the plays right. In the real world, you've got to do everything yourself."
 
He talked to the current Shockers last week. His advice to the younger set is simple.
 
"Be a sponge," he said. "Take advantage of every opportunity you have to be great, whether it's in the classroom, outside in the streets communicating with fans. Or on the court for practice. Being a better role model."
 
Field of plenty – The Shockers departed Friday for Hawaii and play California on Monday in the Maui Invitational.
 
The field of one of college basketball's top tournaments shape up as balanced. It's not as populated with the elite as the 2010 field that Wichita State joined. That season, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 8 Kentucky and No. 13 Washington highlighted a field that also included eventual NCAA (and Maui) champion Connecticut and the NIT champion Shockers.
 
This season, No. 6 Wichita State and No. 13 Notre Dame are the ranked teams in the field. Michigan is receiving votes.
 
All the NCAA Division I teams (host Chaminade is an NCAA Division II school) are in the top 100 of the Ken Pomeroy rankings except No. 132 California. There are good resume-building wins available in Maui, given the right opponents.

Wichita State is No. 3 in the Pomeroy rankings, which makes the Shockers the biggest season-defining opportunity. Notre Dame is No. 17, with No. 43 Michigan, No. 58 Marquette, No. 76 LSU and No. 91 VCU also in the top 100.

The Shockers will play either Marquette or VCU on Tuesday. 

VCU is the team that could make a significant move before Maui. The Rams play Virginia on Friday at home.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.