Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall spoke to the media Tuesday ahead of the Shockers' trip to Orlando for a Thursday night game (6 p.m. on ESPN2) against UCF before returning home Sunday for a matchup with Tulane. Coach spoke about how practice went Monday, who has taken leadership over the past three games and moving on from the loss at Houston. Fans can purchase tickets for Sunday's 1 p.m. tip at GoShockers.com/tickets or by calling (316) 978-3267.
 

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GREGG MARSHALL on…
 
... Monday's practice coming off a rough performance at Houston:
"I thought (practice) was pretty good. The main thing is we got guys to talk a little bit about what their issues are and why they would perform in that manner. I think we got them to talk a little bit more than in the past to each other instead of about each other."
 
… dealing with the mental side of the game in comparison to previous years:
"This is the most (I've dealt with it). I don't know why, other than they're pretty young. It's the most I've ever dealt with things like this."
 
… how focusing on the mental game affects the day-to-day of coaching:
"You focus more on (the mental game) more than you do X's and O's. You deal with egos and kids who want more of the limelight. It's human nature – if you put this much time and effort into something and want to be good at it – to be rewarded for it. You want to be a starter. You want to score the most points. You want to be the star from time to time. You want to win. Sometimes those things don't come together."
 
… who has taken leadership:
"I think Jaime Echenique is doing a lot of the talking. He was the one that spoke first yesterday and was the strongest. It makes sense. It's his last go-around and opportunity. He can't waste this opportunity. He wants to play in the NCAA Tournament. He's only had two years, but he has a chance. He wants to make the most of it. He was the most emotional. He had some pointed comments to make. He appealed to the younger guys to look around and stop looking in the mirror and try to help others around you."
 
… moving on from Sunday:
"Well, you certainly don't want that to be your last game. That's one you'd like to forget. I forget that I even showed up in Houston. I was thoroughly embarrassed and wanted it to be over. It was not our finest hour, to say the least. That happens very infrequently. I don't remember the last time it happened, but it happened. We have to try to have selective memory and focus on the good things we've done."
 
… if focusing on professional basketball is unique to this team:
"I don't think so. I think we've had so many pros, when guys sign up to play in our program on scholarship that means they're going to get two things: 1) a degree, if they stay long enough and 2) the chance to play professionally. We've had well over 30 pros in 13 seasons now and six in the NBA. When you see those salaries as a young kid, up to $40 million per year plus shoe and endorsement deals, that's a carrot. Everyone wants to the best they can. No, it's not new, but I think what I tried to impress upon them last night was that there's one pro next year on this team and that's Jaime. The rest of them may get there, and they probably will, but not now. Concentrate on trying to be a good college player, trying to win at the college level and honing in on your skills. It will only get harder to win, and (this experience) will help them when they do become pros like Fred VanVleet. He's going to make a lot of money when his deal is up. He's only making $9.3 million this year, but that's going to be chump change when he signs a deal this offseason because he knows how to win. He never scored more than 12 points-per-game (at WSU). He didn't start his freshman year. He grinded and learned. He went along with the process. Not one time did he complain to me minutes or playing time or shots. Ron Baker was the same way. The great ones have not done that here."
 
… what Erik Stevenson needs to get back to playing as well as he did early in the year:
"He's got a lot of things he needs to do better. They took the ball from him twice in Houston and then he fouled needlessly, so he didn't get much of a chance in the first half. I've suggested to Erik to just relax a little bit. He needs to move better without the ball, get some catch-and-shoot open looks and not try to do too much. He seems to just be forcing it now. Some of his shots are missing by not only inches, but by feet. He's a really good shooter when he's open. He's a very good passer. He's got good instincts and great vision. He gambles a little bit on defense. He did that with a minute to go against Tulsa. He's putting a lot of pressure on himself, and it's just not happening for him. Part of it is the other team. They get credit because they do a great job of taking what he does well away and force him into situations he isn't great in. I hope he can relax and we'd love for him to play the way he was earlier."
 
… what makes the team so successful against UCF:
"Johnny (Dawkins) does a great job. He does a great job on the transfer market. They've also got good freshmen that played well against us here. They're playing well as of late and a talented team. We have to go down there and play well to win. They play man-to-man and some zone. They can play big and small, so we need to be prepared to win. They've got a good inside game, too."