Head coach
Gregg Marshall and his six seniors met with local media Friday in advance of Sunday's Senior Day battle with No. 10 Cincinnati. Read on for some of the highlights.
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HEAD COACH GREGG MARSHALL ON....
....winning on the road against UCF:
"Obviously, things didn't go our way. There were a lot of factors... playing on the road, we didn't get a great whistle last night, I didn't think. Lots of questionable calls that I'm dealing with right now. I thought we had some poor shot selection. I thought our defense was very average. [The players] overcame it all....two banked-in threes. The other team living at the (free throw) line. We couldn't get to the line. They overcame all that, and they needed to do that. In order to be a Championship team, they needed to beat UCF on the road...and they were tough enough mentally and physically to deal with all of that and make it happen."
...the leadership progression of six seniors this season:
"Definitely. I think they've grown, and that's what college is about. You mature and you develop into an adult during your college years. ..and they've done that. Several of them have become more vocal. They've taken ownership of their team and they've been willing to positively communicate with their teammates about what they see and what they like or what they dislike. I think it's had an effect. All six of them are different - - from a leadership standpoint- - several of them, for sure, have matured in those ways, and it's been great to see."
...Conner Frankamp and Darral Willis' key shots down the stretch against UCF:
"(Conner) was tremendous at getting in the lane..creating..scoring baskets. Then Darral - -even though he didn't have a great game - - he always finds a way offensively to put the ball in the basket. "
...emotions on Senior Day:
"They've really done a lot, in terms of giving energy and time and commitment...dedication to this program. In essence, they've helped build the program to where it is today. You're appreciative of their efforts and the way they conduct themselves, on and off the court. You are sorry to be losing them to whatever their next venture is in life. That's college, they come here to develop and mature and get better..smarter..deeper as human beings. Then they go on and storm the world, I guess, (and) take their talents to wherever they go. They're all going to get degrees, and they're all going to be successful in life, and that's what coaching is all about."
..memories of his own Senior Day at Randolph-Macon College:
"I haven't thought about it in many years. There was a picture- - we had five seniors, 1985 Randolph-Macon College. I remember standing out on the court with the short shorts on, back in the day. We were all sweaty - - I may have been wearing a mask to be honest with you - - after the game. It was post game and we were all standing there, and they took a picture of us. I still have that picture somewhere in a trunk or a chest or something."
...the legacy Frankamp leaves at Wichita State:
"Well I hope it goes down as a competitor...a talented scorer....and a champion."
...Frankamp's offensive ability:
"He's pretty good. Made some big baskets over the course of his career. I remember the big three against Baylor (earlier this season) in the corner. He had a big basket last night against UCF. He's getting better as the thing goes on and, as his career winds down ,he's playing with a lot of confidence. I'm just excited he chose us when he elected to leave KU. He's fun to be around, and we have a great relationship from my end, and I hope to see him prosper into the rest of his life."
...thoughts on first season in the American Athletic Conference:
"It's a great conference. There are a lot of great coaches...players....programs. We knew that we were stepping up at least one or two weight classes. We are 14-3..got one more game left against a great team in Cincinnati. It's televised on CBS. If we win the game, we are regular season champions and a one seed (in American Conference Tournament.) We put ourselves in position to make this a very good transition. If we lose the game, there is nothing to be ashamed of there...In the end, I think it's going to be a positive..I think it's a positive today from our standpoint and hopefully the league's standpoint. I hope it's a win-win for them, as well. It's challenging. You have to be playing your best basketball, especially on the road, to win games."
..what winning the regular season Championship would mean:
"It would mean that this two and a half months we proved to be one of the best, if not the best team in the league. That's good - - especially like I said - -Â that we moved up a couple of weight classes and these guys met the challenge. Our players will give it their all. I'm sure the crowd will give it their all. It should be a wonderful atmosphere here on Sunday. We're going to have to play really well."
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SENIOR CENTER SHAQUILLE MORRIS ON..
...his time at Wichita State:
"It's been a process of me trying to better myself as a person, better my game. It's been a part of growing up and maturing, trying to be the player and person I am today."
.....what he wants people to remember about him:
"Just know that it's been a process for me and I love the fans. More than anything.... a guy that wanted to bleed black and yellow."
....carrying on the winning tradition of Shocker basketball after stars like Baker, VanVleet and Early moved on to the NBA:
"After those guys left, there was a lot saying we were going to have a down year or years. This group of guys...these six seniors....we picked it up tremendously like people didn't think we would. We've gotten so much better- - that's our one word for these two years - -We all have gotten better in every single way to push our team to be as good as it is."
...the scenario of what Sunday is setting up to be:
"No better scenario. 10 and 11 going in it...last game at Koch Arena. I know it's going to be loud. I'm just ready for it. Ready to try and get this win."
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SENIOR CENTER RAUNO NURGER ON...
...his last game at Koch Arena:
"Really, just trying to finish it off with a good mindset and trying to get the championship in a new conference. Other than that it is our senior day and it is a special day. It's going to be our last game at Charles Koch Arena in front of the home crowd and it's going to be something that I'll probably remember for the rest of my life."
...his family coming into town from Estonia:
"My mom and uncle are coming to the states for the first time in their life, so that will be pretty exciting for them."
...what they know about what it means to be a Shocker:
"I do try to talk to them every other weekend or so. I try to video chat and Skype with them. They don't really know what they're going to get into when they are here at the arena on my senior day. I'm pretty sure they are going to be surprised when they see the crowd being so loud."
...whether he'll be emotional:
"I might drop a tear, we'll see."
...describing his time at Wichita State:
"It's been an amazing four years and a lot of good memories. We've been to the NCAA tournament all three years, and that was my goal, was to make it to the NCAA tournament every year, and so far we've been able to do that and I'm happy with that."
...his role on the team:
"Pretty much just try to do my best to help the team win. Really, it doesn't matter to me how many points I score, as long as I know I was able to help the team win."
...the bond between the six seniors:
"Definitely the closest team I've ever felt a part of and just a good family atmosphere... we all get along and it's good to just be around these people."
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SENIOR FORWARD RASHARD KELLY ON...
...remembering his time at Wichita State:
"I'm just a dog. I love it now, and I'm embracing it more and more as the season is going on. Shout out to
Evan Wessel. He taught me how to be tough and physical, just try to be relentless on the boards. Shout out to
Fred VanVleet, he taught me how to be a leader and be poised. Ron (Baker), he taught me how to be that everyday guy...just hard work and no matter how your body feels like you gotta get to the next day.
Anton Grady, even though he was only here for a year, he helped me grow and be mature."
...what he can say about these other five guys:
"It's probably the hardest-working group of men you're ever going to see. These are everyday guys - - all six of us - - no matter what it is good or bad, they're going to show up. We just have a different bond. We don't have to be together all the time, but we get each other. It's like a family, all 17 of us, but especially us six seniors."
...what he wants to leave behind:
"Work is free. Work hard and you get what you want. Don't ever stop working and, whoever you want to be, you just have to put your mind to it. Whatever you want to become you can do it. Don't ever be a product to your environment. If you want to reach those goals go get it."
...his favorite memory:
"Winning championships and putting up banners. When I get this degree, May 12th, I'll be good, and that will be my best memory coming out of here."
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SENIOR WING ZACH BROWN ON...
...on how leaving the program better than how he found it:
"I had Fred (VanVleet) and Ron (Baker) for two years. They passed the torch on to us. We clinched a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title last year and won the conference tournament. Nobody really thought we could, we go up against a really good Kentucky team and almost win. Then we come into The American Athletic Conference this year and have a chance to clinch a title in that. Those are big accomplishments and that's not something you do every day...it's history."
...when he thought this group was going to be successful:
"Maturing and growing, realizing that this is what I have to do to help this team win. That's one thing you do learn how to do in this program is you learn how to win - - no matter if it's a good game or bad game - - you stay with it and the will to just come out on top."
...emotions leading up to last home game:
"It's surreal.. there are a lot of guys who have gone through the same process we've gone through, and I've seen a lot of people come through this program and leave. Now it's our turn to finally move on."
...on his favorite memory so far as a Shocker:
"It wouldn't really be a moment in a certain game. It would be more intangible. Something that I went through with a teammate or something... that's what I will probably remember the most."
...on how close-knit this group is:
"It's weird how you can tell if the chemistry works... if people are gelling together and how people are respecting each other. This is a group of funny guys here, and I like everybody's personality... nobody's narcissistic.. nobody is out here really trying to say it's all about them. That's not the type of people we are... We all treat each other the same and that's one thing that I like and I really appreciate about everybody."
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SENIOR GUARD CONNER FRANKAMP ON...
...emotions of being a senior:
"It just amazes me with how fast the time has gone - - especially this senior year. Everybody talks about how fast it will go. You never really realize it until it's your last home game and you realized how fast it really had gone. I'm excited about the game on Sunday. I'm gonna be feeling more emotions on Sunday than there is right now."
...personal legacy at Wichita State:
"Just a guy who helped the team whenever he could, played good defense and scored the ball when I was open. Was a good teammate and good student. I tried to do whatever the coach asked of me."
..
.how special it was to be playing in his hometown:
"Very special. When I first started my college career I wasn't expecting to end up back here but I did. It was a really great decision. I'm really happy I came back here... especially all of the fans who support me and having my family here too."
...
what this group of six will be remembered for:
"I think the hard work. We've been a really great road team. We've carried on the torch that Fred and Ron passed on to us, and hopefully the next year the group of seniors will come and do the same thing we did."
..
.making sure the program is left in better shape than what it was before:
"It's really important for us. We didn't want to have any down years and I think people last year said we were going to have a down year, especially after Canada we didn't play well there. Then we ended up winning 31 games last year and almost beating Kentucky, so I don't think it was a bad year last year and this year hopefully we can make a run in the tournament."
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SENIOR FORWARD DARRAL WILLIS JR. ON...
...what he wants fans to remember about him:
"That 'Machine Gun Willis' was a good player here and helped this team out a lot."
...coming from Junior College to a program the caliber of Wichita State:
"I am so glad I went the JUCO route, because I would of never had Wichita State coming out of high school. I'm glad I took the JUCO route and came here...and just was able to help this team out they way I did."
...how close this team is:
"This group is crazy close. We're like family. I think that's what makes us so good out here on the court..because off the court carries onto on the court."
..what he wants people to remember this team by in it's first season in The American:
"Hopefully that we won it. I want to win it and cut down nets."
