The RoundHouse | 11/16/2018 7:52:00 AM

 
 
 
Davidson is a fixture in the top 50 of the offensive efficiency rankings most seasons with a disciplined, precise, skilled plan that uses timing, spacing and shooting to bedevil defenses. Coach Bob McKillop knows how to score - last season's Wildcats ranked No. 16 nationally in offensive efficiency and No. 28 in three-point shooting accuracy.
 
On Thursday, Wichita State disrupted that usual flow with a physical, hustling defense. That effort provided the bright spot in a disappointing 57-53 loss in the first round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.
 
The Shockers (1-2) led by 10 points early in the second half. Then its offense disappeared. Wichita State led for just more than 31 minutes and failed to close the deal.
 
"We hustled," Shocker coach Gregg Marshall told reporters after the game. "We competed. In the end, we've just got to make a couple more shots."
 
Wichita State held Davidson (3-0) to 36.5 percent shooting and out-rebounded the Wildcats 15-4 on the offensive backboards. It held Davidson guard Kellan Grady to 1-of-11 shooting and two points, 14 below his average.
 
"That was the best man to man defense we've played so far," Marshall said. "We did defend with a tremendous mind-set and toughness."
 
In its losses, the Shockers scored 58 and 53 points. When they're not making three-pointers, there aren't enough other weapons at this point in the season to compensate. 
 
Seniors Markis McDuffie and Samajae Haynes-Jones will score – their efficiency is critical and they need help.  
 
Wichita State is struggling at the foul line and only shot eight in the loss to Davidson. The big men aren't scoring threats, especially when fouls cut into Jaime Echenique's playing time. Even reasonable amounts of turnovers and bad shots are killers when a team is struggling to score.
 
The Shockers missed 28 of 35 shots in the second half, so keeping the game close is a tribute to its defense. If defense and rebounding can remain a constant, scoring gains can come from better offensive execution and individual improvement. 
 
For example, freshman Dexter Dennis is a three-point threat, but foul trouble (four in each of the past two games) are limiting his minutes. As Dennis figures out what works and what doesn't, his minutes will increase. 
 
The schedule sets up to give this team a window to learn over the next month. 
 
The Shockers will play three games in four days in Charleston, forcing the newcomers to focus on quick turnarounds, get their rest and digest scouting reports on unfamiliar teams. While it's disappointing to drop into the losers bracket, that level of competition might be helpful for the Shockers.
 
Perhaps most important, the Shockers are off until Nov. 25, which gives coaches plenty of practice time after their return from Charleston to retool. They will enjoy plenty of data and plenty of video to make their points and emphasize what works and what doesn't. 
 
Remember – when school is out, there is no limit on practice time. Marshall says he enjoys working with this group and that it is a group eager to learn. After cramming in the trip to the Naval Academy and the trip to South Carolina, the Shockers return to play three games over the next three weeks, meaning ample time for instruction and improvement.
 
"I've got to look for little positives with this team," Marshall said. "There's things that we're coaching that I've never had to coach. At one point, I had four guys on the court. I have to coach substitutions with this group."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.