The RoundHouse | 3/16/2019 8:09:00 PM
Cincinnati won in the most Cincinnati of ways, beating Wichita State with trademark Shocker work. The Bearcats grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and scored 14 second-chance points on Saturday in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament in Memphis.
Second-seeded Cincinnati won 66-63 in physical defensive battle in which it ultimately won the math by creating nine more shots than Wichita State. Neither team shot well, thanks mostly to ferocious defense. Cincinnati, outscored by seven points at the foul line, squeezed out a winning margin thanks to its hustle and aggressive rebounding.
"That's the only reason we won today," Bearcats coach Mick Cronin said. "Yesterday we won with offense. Today, we won with defense and rebounding. Good defense, not great. We had great rebounding."
Two excellent defensive coaches schemed to force the ball away from the stars.
Bearcats guard Jarron Cumberland, the conference Player of the Year, scored 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting with Wichita State freshmen
Dexter Dennis and
Jamarius Burton stalking him. The Bearcats paid equal attention to
Markis McDuffie, who scored 18 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Wichita State's 3-of-16 shooting to start the second half sunk the Shockers into an eight-point deficit with under 11 minutes to play and down 13 a few minutes later.
"We went into a lull there and couldn't get a good look," Marshall said. "That was the difference in the game."
The Bearcats made it tough for McDuffie to get good shots and took Dennis out of the offense. The Shockers rallied with
Samajae Haynes-Jones taking advantage of the defensive attention on McDuffie and Dennis to beat his defender and drive to the basket.
That rally tied the game 62-all with 3:10 to play. The Shockers missed both their shots the rest of the way and committed a turnover.
"We were one play short," Marshall said.
Marshall said he is open to post-season play, depending on how the Shockers feel about more games.
"If they want to do it, we'll do it," Marshall said. "It's up to them. It's been fun coaching them."
Regardless of if the NIT calls (the Shockers likely project as a road team if invited) or if it's another tournament, Wichita State finished 2018-19 on a strong note. All the issues are well-known – picked eighth in the conference, 10 newcomers, loss in the home opener,
Teddy Allen denied a chance to play, 1-6 start to AAC play.
By March, the Shockers are a different team and their three games in Memphis proved that.
"Their growth as a team this year is really unbelievable," Cronin said. "They never give up. They always play physical."
More practices and a few more games against good competition would only benefit the Shockers. Post-season play would also give McDuffie and Haynes-Jones a few more moments before their college careers end.
"It's been very rewarding to watch," Marshall said. "These two (seniors) were dynamic leaders. They never gave up on the young guys. Continuing to grind and teach the young guys what can be accomplished."
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
