The RoundHouse | 12/2/2020 9:37:00 AM

Wichita State opens the COVID-19-delayed men's basketball season vs. Oral Roberts at 6 p.m. (today) Wednesday at Koch Arena (ESPN-plus).
 
The Shockers planned to open last week in South Dakota, before positive tests in the traveling part ruined those plans. Get used to those type of situations. The Shockers, like many schools, are short-handed in practice, relying on staff members to fill the floor for basic drills, and are expected to have a roster of eight to face the Golden Eagles (1-1).
 
The Shockers are picked seventh in the American Athletic Conference and they know the departure of coach Gregg Marshall will cast more doubt on their success. The chance to exceed expectations is always enticing.
 
"I'm ready to lead the rest of my team to things that the public may think that we're not capable of doing," guard Tyson Etienne said. "I know what we're capable of doing and I know we're going to do that."
 
So, we know this season will look unlike any other and interim coach Isaac Brown is working to get the Shockers ready in less-than-ideal circumstances, two weeks after officially moving from assistant coach to head coach.
 
"Practice has just been a lot different because we've had to do a lot of different drills," Brown said Tuesday. "It's hard to do five on five because you only have eight guys available. So, we've been doing a lot of four-on-four drills, a lot of shooting drills, trying to run Oral Roberts' stuff with just four guys. We've got to scout them out and we've just got to play smart. We can't get in foul trouble because we only have eight guys available."
 
Five questions for the Shockers as they start the 2020-21 season:
 
How will the Shockers play basketball?
 
With everyone who is available and not in quarantine, etc. And with coaches and reserves masked and socially distanced on the sidelines.
 
Oh. You mean style of play. 
 
That might depend on the day. 
 
As Brown said, short-handed teams must avoid foul trouble, which may mean playing more zone defense than normal. The Wichita State women's team, facing a similar loss of depth, did just that in its first two games.
 
Let's focus on the optimistic view that the Shockers will enjoy a more complete roster most nights. In that case, expect a team that looks similar to the past teams. After all, Brown coached under Marshall since the 2014-15 season and helped win 75 percent of games in those six seasons.
 
"None of our capabilities, none of our talent, skill, athleticism left," Etienne said. "We're still the same guys. It is adversity, but the real ones rise in the face of adversity."
 
Expect a familiar look on offense and defense, with terminology, plays and – most important – a dedication to playing hard.
 
"It's worked in the past," Brown said. "Those guys are comfortable with what we do. We're still going to push the ball hard in transition. We're still going to defend, rebound, play with toughness. Those are the guys we recruited."
 
What is this team's strength?

With Etienne and UConn transfer Alterique Gilbert at guard and forward Dexter Dennis, the Shockers should match up well on the perimeter.
 
Strong guards can win a lot of games. 
 
That trio offers experience, shooting and athletic ability. All three can defend with Gilbert giving the Shockers a disruptive force at the point of attack and Dennis the capability to guard multiple positions.
 
"It's definitely comforting to have those experienced guys back," Brown said. "Alterique Gilbert, who's been through college basketball, he'll be able to suit up. Tyson Etienne is going to be able to suit up."
 
Brown is leaning on those veterans to add their voice during practices and after practices. 
 
"The No. 1 way to take on leadership is by talking," Brown said. "You can't be in practice and not say a word. Those young guys are looking at you to set the example. I want you encouraging them. When I get onto them, I need you to go pat them on the butt. I need you to call them later on that night and let them know what I expect."
 
Newcomers Craig Porter Jr. and Trevin Wade are junior-college transfers and will also help in the backcourt. Porter averaged 6.5 assists for Vincennes (Ind.) last season and his passing and ball-handling skills will be vital.
 
Etienne averaged 9.4 points last season and is the team's top returning scorer. He started 17 games and made 38.8 percent of his three-pointers. Dennis earned All-Freshman honors in 2019 in the conference and averaged 9.2 points last season. In 17 conference games, he averaged 11 points and made 39 percent of his threes.
 
Brown said Dennis diversified his offense over the off-season.
 
"Everybody knows he's a big time three-point shooter," Brown said. "He just had to work on his ball skills and all summer long, he's been working on creating shots of the bounce, create shots off ball screens, and he's ready to go."
 
Wichita State's frontcourt is in transition after the loss of center Jaime Echenique, last season's leading scorer and rebounder and a second-team all-conference pick. Forward Trey Wade started 27 games last season. Morris Udeze, who started five games last season, and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler are stepping into bigger roles.
 
Who provides depth?

This is the big question and it will remain even when more Shockers are available. 
 
Brown will lean on newcomers such as sophomore transfer Clarence Jackson at forward and guards Porter and Wade.

Redshirt freshman center Josaphat Bilau is an intriguing bundle of athletic ability and the Shockers need his size. He may be the kind of big man who struggles early and then quickly figures out his role during the season.

Who is the newcomer to watch?
 
Without question, it is Gilbert, who started 20 games last season for UConn. He could give the Shockers true point guard skills after two seasons of shuffling at that spot.
 
For a longer view, keep an eye on freshman guard Ricky Council IV. He has the size and off-the-dribble scoring ability to help the Shockers. 
 
How does the American Athletic Conference look?
 
Houston is the favorite and the Cougars are off to a strong start in non-conference play. They moved to No. 10 in the Associated Poll this week, up seven spots, after defeating Lamar, Boise State and then-No. 14 Texas Tech. 
 
Memphis, picked second, is 1-2 with a win over Saint Mary's and losses to Western Kentucky and VCU.

Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.