The RoundHouse | 2/12/2020 11:46:00 AM

 
Wichita State guard Carla Bremaud considers herself a visual learner and note-taking is an essential part of her routine. 
 
"I need to write to remember," she said. "When I study, even for a test . . . I have to write it down so I can see it."
 
On the day of a home game, Bremaud's classroom is the arena, video room and Champions Club. After the Shockers eat their pre-game meal, they spread out through the Champions Club for test time. 
 
They need to know the opposing team's top foul shooter. They need to know who prefers shooting over the left shoulder and who always drives right. They need to know keys to victory. Wichita State's women's basketball team takes a written test before each game to reinforce the lessons from video study and the scouting report.
 
"We know their personnel and we know their strengths and weaknesses, and then during the game it's in our heads," sophomore guard Seraphine Bastin said.
 
Wichita State (13-10, 5-5 American Athletic Conference) returns to Koch Arena after consecutive wins to play Memphis (12-11, 3-7) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Cox Yurview HD 2022).
 
In previous seasons, coach Keitha Adams used pop quizzes to supplement the scouting report. This season, the Shockers take a written test before every game. Many of the questions are focused on playing defense. The test quizzes the Shockers on the opponent's best shooters and asks them to list key items they need to execute to win.
 
"Players have tendencies," Adams said. "You want to be smart about how you guard players. You've got to know what the assignments are. When you defend and take those away, it's going to help your cause."
 
Also new this year is the availability of the scouting report on phone apps. 
 
"It's their best free-throw shooters, best three-point shooters . . ." Adams said. "All that information is right there on their phone. The test mirrors exactly what is the scouting report says. They've got the answers."
 
Coaches record the grades and average them through the season. After last week's win at Temple, the Shockers who earned a 92 percent or better on the test earned a treat – chocolate cake with ice cream.
 
"It was too much, but it was really good," Bremaud said.
 
Adams regards the test as part of her push to produce a court-smart team.
 
"You want to have your players prepared, no surprises," she said. "They go into games and they know. We know who shooters are. We know who their best rebounder is. We know their tendencies. As their coach, I'm trying to do everything I can to help them and give them an advantage."
 
Bremaud and Bastin said they had not taken a written basketball test before coming to Wichita State. While they admit to sometimes hoping coaches will forget, they recognize the test's usefulness.
 
"We know that if we don't have good grades, it's not going to be good for our game," Bastin said. "If we pay attention during video, it's pretty easy for us."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.