The RoundHouse | 12/22/2018 5:52:00 PM
Wichita State invested much in making center Jaime Echenique a focal point of the offense, especially in recent games. The Shockers make a point to run plays for him early in the game to get him rolling and open up opportunities for the perimeter players.
When Echenique left Saturday's game with a foot injury in the first half, the Shockers lost an irreplaceable scoring threat. With him, they possessed a scorer that VCU had problems defending. Without his height and soft touch around the basket, Wichita State slumped in the second half. VCU's aggressive defense took over and the Rams ran away with a 70-54 win in Richmond, Va.
The Shockers (7-5) trailed 37-34 at halftime. They missed 16 of their first 20 shots and their first seven three-pointers. The Rams (8-4) held Wichita State scoreless on their way to building a 53-34 lead.
Echenique's injury added to Wichita State's personnel problems. Freshman
Dexter Dennis missed his second game due to a concussion. Foul trouble limited seniors
Markis McDuffie and
Samajae Haynes-Jones. McDuffie scored 14 first-half points in 11 minutes. Haynes-Jones added seven points in nine minutes.
With Echenique, McDuffie and Haynes- Jones out or limited, Wichita State's offense ground to a halt. There is no offensive threat in the lane to replace Echenique and his presence makes life so much easier for the guards. For the game, the Shockers shot 35.6 percent from the field and committed 17 turnovers (matching its season high).
It is the fifth game for WSU to shoot under 40 percent and the fourth to score under 60 points. Until other Shockers improve to take the burden off McDuffie, Echenique and Haynes-Jones, offense will often be a challenge.
The Shockers leaned on freshman center
Morris Udeze and freshman guard
Jamarius Burton and both provided some good minutes. Wichita State is going to have to take small victories with young players learning how to win and how to play in hostile environments.
Udeze scored six points and grabbed six rebounds in 19 minutes. Burton attacked the basket in the second half, which is his best chance to help the scoring until his jump shot develops. He finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a season-high 32 minutes.
Saturday's game starts a difficult stretch for the Shockers. According to Ken Pomeroy's formula, they are the underdog in five of the next six games.
The American Athletic Conference schedule starts Jan. 3 at Memphis. After a home game against Temple, the Shockers travel to unbeaten Houston. Preseason favorite Central Florida is next, at Koch Arena. Cincinnati then visits Koch Arena.
Whew. That is a handful for any team. It will be interesting to see where the Shockers on Jan. 19 and how much this team has progressed.
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
