The RoundHouse | 1/9/2020 10:33:00 AM

21/22 MEMPHIS (12-2, 1-0) at 23/23 WICHITA STATE (13-1, 1-0)
THURSDAY, JAN. 9, 2020 | 6:01 P.M. CT
TV: ESPN2 (ESPN App)
RADIO: KEYN 103.7 FM (GoShockers.com/Listen) 
 
 
In a matchup of two strong defensive teams, Wichita State's priorities are clear. 
 
The Shockers need to get back on defense quickly and communicate to organize their defense and stop Memphis from running into dunks and layups or good shots early in the possession.
 
Sprint. Talk. Get organized. Every second Wichita State forces Memphis to play half-court basketball helps the defense by pushing the Tigers toward bad shots and turnovers.
 
The 21^st-ranked Tigers (12-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) rank seventh nationally in length of possession (14.9 second, according to kenpom.com). They thrive on forcing turnovers (17.8 a game to rank No. 21 nationally), fueled by a conference-leading average of 9.3 steals (No. 22 nationally).
 
Memphis is loaded with scorers and play-makers. Six Tigers averages seven or more points and five of them have led the team in scoring. 
 
"Everyone's going to (guard) a guy who's capable of going and getting a bucket," Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall said. "We'll have to execute against their sets and the things they do to get an advantage. They play hard and really fast."
 
Freshman forward Precious Achiuwa is regarded as a likely first-round pick in the NBA Draft. He averages 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. He shoots 50 percent from the floor and is 5 of 11 from three-point range. The Tigers expect forward D.J. Jeffries to return after missing Saturday's loss to Georgia due to illness. He averages 12.0 points game. Without Jeffries, Achiuwa played 38 minutes against Georgia.
 
Wichita State can help its defense immensely by limiting turnovers against the Tigers presses and traps. The Shockers can't make soft passes or lose their dribble in bad spots to help Memphis generate steals.
 
The Shockers (13-1, 1-0) showed good abilities to handle pressure from VCU (16 turnovers) and Mississippi (12). A number in that range would be helpful, especially in a high-possession game. Memphis averages 16.8 turnovers (four-plus more than the Shockers), which means that is an area where Wichita State needs to grab an advantage.
 
Guards Jamarius Burton and Grant Sherfield must be strong with the ball and make wise decisions on when to push and when to play patiently. They don't want to allow the Tigers to speed them out of their comfort zone. 
 
Guard Erik Stevenson's passing ability, as a pressure-relief asset after breaking a trap, could prove valuable. His vision and understanding of the offense makes him a powerful weapon as a secondary passer who can help the Shockers if they gain a numbers advantage, much as they did often against Mississippi. In that game, Stevenson also made the Rebels pay for defensive mistakes by making 5 of 11 three-pointers on his way to 29 points. 
 
Memphis builds its defense around shot-blocking and steals. If Wichita State's big men struggle to finish around the basket, it's a problem.
 
The Shockers often push the ball to center Jaime Echenique early in the game to get him off to a good start and get the offense rolling with an inside-out look. This is a game in which he can spark a strong start by scoring or drawing fouls early.
 
The Tigers block 6.8 shots a game and hold opponents to 39 percent shooting on two-point attempts, according to kenpom.com. That ranks second nationally. 
 
As things stand, this is Wichita State's final home opportunity at a Quadrant 1 win. 
 
While much can change, there is a chance the schedule won't provide as many opportunities for those NCAA resume-boosting wins as it did in 2017-18. The Shockers, on their way to a No. 5 seed, went 5-5 in Q1 games and 10-1 in Quadrant 2 games. 
 
This season, the Shockers are 1-1 in Q1 with five remaining. They are 2-0 in Q2 with six remaining. 
 
Home opponents must rank in the top 30 of the NCAA NET to qualify as a Q1 win. Beating Memphis is important. It would also help if No. 38 Houston, No. 36 Oklahoma and No. 31 VCU move rise into the top 30. Wichita State's Q1 win is at No. 61 Oklahoma State and the slumping Cowboys appear to be a candidate to slip out of the top 75 (where Q1 road games end).
  
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.