The RoundHouse | 9/24/2019 4:15:00 PM

 
Wichita State started its full schedule of men's basketball practice on Tuesday (the women start later this week). Three items to watch as the 2019-20 season gets rolling.
 
More time – Teams are allowed to practice four hours a week during the summer, the second year for that extended time (it was two hours previously). Wichita State put those hours to good use, coach Gregg Marshall said.
 
The Shockers added six newcomers, five freshmen and junior-college transfer Trey Wade. Marshall complimented their learning curve and said the Shockers start full practices in a good spot, already well into learning the basics. 
 
"It's very beneficial," he said. "This group of new players . . . they have picked things up very, very well. Maybe, we've taught it a little slower and a little more thoroughly."
 
Marshall said he hopes that learning helps the Shockers play well early in the season. Last season's team – one of the least experienced teams in the nation – went 7-5 in non-conference play. This season's schedule is set up to help a more experienced team build its NCAA resume. The Shockers play their first five games at home and play one road game (at Oklahoma State) in non-conference play.
 
"You didn't see at the beginning of the season last year, but by the end of the season, you saw some marked improvement," he said. "That doesn't happen unless you're able to practice a couple hours in June and July."
 
Fans get their first look at the Shockers at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 in the Black & Yellow scrimmage at Koch Arena. They play an exhibition game against Northeastern (Okla.) State on Oct. 29.
 
Help from the veterans – Wichita State will lean on returners such as guard Jamarius Burton, wing Dexter Dennis and centers Jaime Echenique and Asbjorn Midtgaard to guide the newcomers.
 
The leadership roles are largely new to that group – only Midtgaard has more than one season as a Shocker. Those returners did play major parts in the strong finish last season, helping Wichita State to NIT Final Four.
 
"They understand this is what we do in transition, this is what we do when we take the ball out, this is how we break a press," Marshall said. "It takes a little stress off. Last year, we just threw them out there. They had never experienced college basketball. We have more guys who know what to expect when we get into a real, competitive situation."
 
Start up front – Wichita State's big men should match up with almost any in the nation. They are large and numerous, numerous enough that Marshall mentioned redshirting one of his big men.
 
Echenique and Midtgaard improved throughout last season and both played well in the NIT in the post. Returners such as Isaiah Poor Bear Chandler and Morris Udeze, now healthy after missing part of last season with a shoulder injury, are also in the picture. 
 
Wade plays power forward and Dennis is physical enough to play inside or on the wing.
 
Echenique might be the most intriguing Shocker early in the season. He is playing more assertively in practices and should build on a junior season in which he averaged 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 17.2 minutes a game. 
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.