The RoundHouse | 1/11/2019 11:37:00 AM

 
Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall talks about the need to rev up Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, his freshman center who possesses scoring skills and sometimes doesn't display them with the desired ferocity.
 
Poor Bear-Chandler's parents saw the same issues and may have stepped in with a fix.
 
"I had a long talk with my parents," he said. "They were telling me I wasn't playing like I usually do. I had to change. One big change was I had to get in the gym more."
 
That chat appears to be paying off for Poor Bear-Chandler and the Shockers (7-7, 0-2 American Athletic Conference), who play at No. 17 Houston (15-1, 2-1) on Saturday (7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network). 
 
On Sunday, Poor Bear-Chandler, from Omaha with a stop at Sunrise Christian Academy, scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds in a loss to Temple. He also scored 12 points, his season high, at Memphis last week. For the week, he made 10 of 14 shots and all four of his foul shots while playing 20-plus minutes in both games.
 
"Sometimes Poor Bear is a little sleepy, if you will," Marshall said. "I like players to be more frenetic and energetic and passionate and intense. Sometimes getting him going is a difficult deal."
 
With injuries limiting starter Jaime Echenique and backup Morris Udeze, Poor Bear-Chandler is stepping up when the Shockers need help in the post. 
 
"I asked him the same question the other day, I said 'All of a sudden man, you've got some energy - you've got some pep in your step," Marshall said. "I can't tell you exactly what he said, but undoubtedly, someone from his family had relayed to him that they didn't like what they were seeing. I said 'Oh good, so we're on the same team there.'"
 
Poor Bear-Chandler returned from that talk over the semester break determined to put in time outside of practice working on his shooting. His parents watch every game on TV and told him they noticed his lack of enthusiasm.
 
"Looking back, I was way more aggressive and I played like I loved the game," he said. "I still love the game, a lot. It just wasn't showing. So, I became more dedicated."
 
Poor Bear-Chandler started to find his confidence on the court before and after practice. 
 
"Once you get in a routine of just having the ball go through the net, it makes the game a little easier," he said. 
 
He drafts a manager to rebound, puts on his Skullcandy Bluetooth headphone to listen to A Boogie or Chris Brown and works on his shot. The past two games prove that the time pays off, which motivates him to put in more time.
 
"Showing Coach (Marshall) I can use both hands – that's a real confidence-booster," he said. "Against Memphis, I hit a couple threes and that shows I've been in the gym. It's delightful to see that my work is paying off."
 
His parents are also delighted.
 
"Every time I FaceTime them I hear yelling first and then congrats," he said. "Great feeling."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.