The RoundHouse | 2/16/2020 4:40:00 PM

 
 
Down-sizing Wichita State's lineup has helped the offense in the past two games. The Shockers are surrounding center Jaime Echenique with shooters and play-makers at almost all times. 
 
On Sunday, the Shockers (19-6, 7-5 American Athletic Conference) made 13 of 24 three-pointers and handed out 22 assists on 29 baskets in an 82-57 win over Tulane at Koch Arena. On Thursday, they had 19 assists on 30 baskets and shot 48.4 percent in a 75-58 win at UCF.
 
Inserting guard Noah Fernandes into the starting lineup adds another playmaker to the rotation and shifts Dexter Dennis to power forward, where he is showing improved passing and driving skills. The other spots are filled by shooters and play-makers, all of whom can score or set up teammates. 
 
"We were really doing a good job of getting in there and finding each other," Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall said. "Having all those guards in there who can penetrate, pitch, get in the heart of the defense and either score, with a floater or a pull up . . . if not, there's the ability to see and get the wide-open shooter a good look."
 
Tulane (10-15, 2-11) gave up a lot of open shots in its zone defense, in part because of Wichita State's execution and in part because the Shockers pushed the ball often to score before the zone settled in. 
 
Dennis scored a career-high 21 points, making 8 of 9 shots, 4 of 5 from three-pointer range. He added three assists, after recording a career-high five at UCF. Tyson Etienne went 6 of 8 from three-point range and scored 20 points. Jamarius Burton handed out seven assists and Grant Sherfield pitched in six points and four assists. 
 
Those guards – plus Erik Stevenson – means defenses have to deal with scoring and passing threats at all positions. When they are playing unselfishly, the Shockers make it difficult to double-team Echenique and opponents will have to decide how much they can help off shooters.
 
"These last two games we've been moving the ball, playing at a faster pace," Burton said. "When multiple guys are hot like they were, it just opens it up for the whole team."
 
The Shockers will face better defensive teams the rest of the way. This two-game win streak presents a guide for how they will need to play. 
 
Tulane coach Ron Hunter, in his first season with the Green Wave, set the recruiting bar for his assistants after Sunday's game.  
 
"I've only been on this job for a few months, but how does (Dennis) get out of the state of Louisiana?" Hunter said. "I have no idea. That kid can really play. If there's any more guys like this in the state and they get out, I'm going to need a new staff."
 
Dennis, from Baker, La., recorded a season-high offensive rating of 170 (a statistic in which 100 is around average), according to kenpom.com. Dennis shot the ball well last season. His ability to drive and pass – he has eight assists in the past two games after handing out 18 in his first 20 games - makes him a complete offensive threat. He can still deliver the highlights, as his fast-break dunk off a lob pass from Sherfield showed.

 

It was that kind of day. 😤💪 @ldl_dex x #WatchUs pic.twitter.com/EeLpsgnOHc

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) February 16, 2020

"Dexter Dennis was dynamite on the offensive glass, shooting the ball, giving us second-chance opportunities . . . running the court," Marshall said. "He made a great wrap-around pass to Erik Stevenson. He's getting better bouncing it. He's doing a good job of getting into the heart of the defense at times."
 
The Shockers talked about seeing the ball go through the hoop in the past two games. That vision helps their confidence after two last-second defeats and a rout at Houston.
 
Hunter hoped Wichita State's struggles would last longer. Instead, he said he saw a team take advantage of its schedule to get back on track.
 
"That's a team trying to get to the NCAA Tournament," Hunter said. "They played desperate. That's what I told our guys. That's the difference in our programs right now."
 
The Shockers get another home game (Thursday vs. USF) before playing three of their final five on the road. That finishing stretch will determine their NCAA fate, whether seeding or inclusion. The wins over UCF and Tulane signal Wichita State will enter that stretch in a good frame of mind.
 
"We saw the ball go in and we're playing better defense," Burton said. "We can take these last two games, build our confidence on them, and move forward with that same confidence." 
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.