The RoundHouse | 11/6/2018 8:10:00 AM

 
Wichita State's men's basketball reboot begins on Tuesday. Coach Gregg Marshall is not running from the difficulty of the task.
 
The Shockers are picked eighth in the American Athletic Conference, largely because they are one of the nation's youngest teams. Wichita State returns 11.2 percent of its minutes and 12.1 percent of its points from 2017-18. Ten of the 13 Shockers who played in last week's exhibition game played in their first NCAA Division I game.
 
Wichita State opens the season against Louisiana Tech on Tuesday and Marshall is determined not to burden his team with expectations built in previous seasons. The Bulldogs return four starters from a 17-16 team.
 
"It's kind of like on-the-job training," Marshall said. "It's coming (Tuesday) night. If we don't get better, we're going to have some less-than-desirable results."
 
The Shockers have won 25 or more games in nine straight seasons, played in seven straight NCAA Tournaments and finished in the top 30 of Ken Pomeroy's rankings the past eight seasons. Extending those streaks is not on Marshall's mind when he describes inconsistent practices and the need for patience.
 
Coaches are building the kind of physical roster they see at the top of the American. Last season, the Shockers won with offensive skill and experience. Going forward, imposing guards such as freshmen Dexter Dennis and Jamarius Burton and bulky big men such as Morris Udeze and Isaiah Poor Bear Chandler are needed. 
 
Marshall is unsure when the focus, maturity and teamwork matches the gifts of strength and speed.
 
"Every game will be like another practice," he said. "We'll be trying to win. But, we're going to also try to improve individually and collectively."
 
Five key games for the Shockers
 
Louisiana Tech at Koch Arena, Wednesday (Yurview KS) – There is zero doubt Bulldogs coaches are telling their team that they can shock college basketball by winning Tuesday at Koch Arena.
 
At VCU, Dec. 22 (ESPN2) – Give the Shockers two months to experiment, improve and define roles. Then send them on the road in their final non-conference game and see what happens. VCU is picked fourth in the Atlantic 10.
 
At Houston, Jan. 12 (CBSSN) – No Rob Gray, but the Cougars are plenty experienced and physical. They pushed the Shockers around last season in Houston.
 
Central Florida at Koch Arena, Jan. 16 (CBSSN) – The American Athletic Conference preseason favorites visit Wichita, just the kind of underdog vibe that can make this season fun if the Shockers embrace it.
 
SMU at Koch Arena, Jan. 30 (ESPN2/U) – Along with Houston, SMU is another team with great potential for a rivalry.
 
Five key American Athletic Conference non-conference games
 
Ohio State at Cincinnati, Wednesday (ESPN2) – The Bearcats open their renovated arena with the first on-campus meeting between the two schools since 1921.
 
Alabama at UCF, Nov. 29 (ESPNU) – The Knights won at Alabama last season. If UCF wants to build an NCAA at-large resume, it needs this one. 
 
No. 14 Oregon at Houston, Dec. 1 (ESPN2) – Houston opens the Fertitta Center, its new 7,100-seat arena, against the Ducks.
 
No. 6 Tennessee at Memphis, Dec. 15 (ESPN2) – This rivalry resumes for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Volunteers are regarded as a Final Four contender.
 
No. 9 Villanova vs. UConn at Madison Square Garden, Dec. 22 (CBS) – UConn values its connection to New York and the Garden and the success of its old Big East partners stings some Huskies fans.
 
Five key American Athletic Conference games
 
UCF at UConn, Jan. 5 (ESPNNEWS) – An early indication of UCF's staying power atop the American.
 
Memphis at Houston, Jan. 6 (ESPNNEWS) – The American tests new Tigers coach Penny Hardaway with an opener vs. Wichita State followed by a trip to Houston.
 
Cincinnati at Wichita State, Jan. 19 (CBS) – Credit the Koch Arena crowd for helping draw the national TV cameras.
 
Cincinnati at Houston, Feb. 10 (ESPN) – it won't surprise anyone if this game ends up matching the American's top teams.
 
UCF at Cincinnati, Feb. 21 (ESPN/ESPN2) – Cincinnati held the Knights to an average of 39 points in two wins last season, moving their series edge to 10-1. 
 
Five key American Athletic Conference players
 
G Samajae Haynes-Jones, Wichita State – The Shockers need him to score and run the team while newcomers adjust at point guard. He scored 19 points in the exhibition game and showed he can score late in the shot clock when his one-on-one skills are critical.
 
For the Shockers to exceed expectations, Haynes-Jones needs to become just as effective within the framework of the offense and give the Shockers another reliable scorer to go with senior Markis McDuffie.
 
"(Haynes-Jones) had a great fall," Marshall said. "He's definitely going to have to score for us. I'd like for him to get it more from the offense."
 
G Corey Davis Jr., Houston – With Rob Gray gone, Davis takes over as Houston's top threat. He averaged 13.1 points last season. 
 
G Aubrey Dawkins, UCF –  The Knights need scoring threats and Dawkins, son of coach Johnny Dawkins, is a three-point threat. He sat out last season due to a shoulder injury. He scored 11 points in UCF's exhibition game.
 
G Tyler Harris, Memphis – The freshman guard scored 26 points in the exhibition opener, making 5 of 10 three-pointers. 
 
G Tarin Smith, UConn – Smith is a graduate transfer from Duquesne, where he averaged 12.4 points and 3.2 assists last season to earn Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year honors. New UConn coach Danny Hurley needs solid, hard-working additions and Smith knows the drill. He played for Hurley's father, Bob Hurley, at Saint Anthony (N.J.) High, teaming with Wichita State's Markis McDuffie.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.