The RoundHouse | 12/5/2019 7:54:00 AM

 
In the old days of Wichita State baseball, this is what would be known as a get-right game. The Shockers (6-1) play Central Arkansas (1-6) on Thursday in a game they need to play well in to restore some bounce before a tough stretch.
 
It could also be known as a get-tough game. 
 
Wichita State went 1-1 in the Cancun Challenge, its first big challenge of the season, last week. The buzz after a 70-47 thumping of South Carolina – a game in which the Shockers led 41-22 at half – quickly faded. A 75-63 loss to West Virginia became the primary lesson from the trip. 
 
West Virginia out-rebounded the Shockers 48-31 and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. Wichita State looked rushed and harried much of the night and shot 30.6 percent from the field.
 
Coach Gregg Marshall cannot stomach a rebounding deficit of that margin, considering it an indicator of hustle, physical play and technique. This season, with significant numbers of freshmen and sophomores in the rotation, is often about learning, getting knocked back, learning and adjusting and pushing forward.
 
"I just think we're going to have to compete more and harder," he said. "West Virginia exposed that, and they've got a pretty special brand of athlete, especially inside, but they beat us on the glass with their second effort, quickness and all of the things they were able to do."
 
Expect a big night on the glass for the Shockers, with an emphasis on boxing out and chasing rebounds. 
 
Rebounding and defense, and their accompanying traits, are growing more important as the Shockers continue to find their offensive identity.
 
After three consecutive good shooting nights – all better than 47 percent – at home, the Shockers slipped in Cancun. For the season, they are shooting 32.7 percent from three-point range. Good accuracy – 71.1 percent – from the foul line helps. So does their willingness to pass and play low-turnover basketball.
 
The offense is waiting on some key pieces to heat up. Forward Dexter Dennis made 40 percent (54 of 135). He is 10 of 38 this season. Center Jaime Echenique played a season-high 29 minutes against West Virginia after missing the season's first four games with a hand injury. As he progresses back to top condition, he will help the offense with his post scoring, his offensive rebounds and his ability to draw defenses away from outside shooters.
 
Wichita State has often won with defense, rebounding and low turnovers. This team will need those attributes as it works toward more complete offensive games. 
 
Wichita State took a week's break between games earlier in the season and dramatically improved its offensive execution, demonstrated in its assist totals. This week is similar, offering lots of practice time before the Central Arkansas game and, in effect, Sunday's game at Oklahoma State.
 
The Shockers will duplicate that scheduling with week breaks in between the next three games and, once finals end next week, expanded practice time. 
 
It is time to take advantage of all those opportunities because the bumper rails are about to come off. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and VCU are all in the top 40 of the Pomeroy rankings. Eight of the next 10 opponents are in the top 75. Six of those eight are in the top 50.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.