Men's Basketball | 12/14/2021 10:29:00 PM

Monzy Jackson might be the biggest magnet for ovations on a recent Wichita State basketball roster. When your brand is crashing into the front row, chasing rebounds, diving on the floor and playing full-speed, full-time, you attract cheers.
 
He noticed when Shocker fans applauded, many of them coming out of their seats, when most of the bench unit exited the court with 5:20 to play. That group – Jackson, Kenny Pohto, Ricky Council IV, Qua Grant and Chaunce Jenkins – did much of the work that extended the lead to a comfortable margin in Tuesday's 82-63 win over Alcorn State at Koch Arena.
 
That group started filtering in with 13:05 to play and the Shockers up 55-48. The Shockers led 72-53 when coach Isaac Brown brought back several starters and the reserves got their cheers.
 
"We were playing as hard as we can," Jackson said. "We appreciate the fans for doing that. We all noticed that when we got to the bench."
 
What did the fans respond to?
 
A team that hustled – Jackson's back-to-back blocked shots on a possession led the way - and a team that is starting to build trust. Wichita State (8-2) finished the game with a season-high 20 assists, after totaling 18 on Saturday against Norfolk State.
 
On Tuesday, the Shockers made the game easy for each other, which is what coach Isaac Brown has preached since an ugly loss to Kansas State. The Shockers made numerous extra passes, let the offense flow to create good shots and trusted teammates to score or continue moving the ball.
 
It was guard Tyson Etienne throwing the ball over the defense to Dexter Dennis, who pass-faked and drove for a dunk. It was Council with a sweet no-look pass to Pohto. It was Craig Porter Jr. twice finding Dexter Dennis on fast breaks for baskets. The Shockers reversed the ball several times – a rarity in some earlier games – to make the Alcorn State (1-8) defense work.
 
"We're coming together," Jackson said. "Chemistry is building. We're hanging out a lot more now and it translates onto the court."
 
Porter handed out six assists without committing a turnover. Grant added four assists and Dennis, Etienne and Council each three.

 

DEX DUNK™@ldl_dex x @ESPNPlus

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— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) December 15, 2021

"It's watching film with the team and (Brown) really emphasized making the extra pass and setting up teammates," Grant said. "It makes everything smoother. We realize we've got a lot of talent, so if we can spread the ball around, it makes it harder for the defense."
 
The Shockers shot 46.3 percent from the field in their most efficient game of the season. While a few silly turnovers kept the game closer than it needed to be, the Shockers finished with 12, five in the second half.
 
The ball movement contrasted with the issues earlier in the season when the Shockers dribbled away the shot clock and forced shots. That was a team that wasn't clicking. That was a team that hadn't figured out how to trust, how to work together and how to let passing, cutting, screening and unselfishness make the game easier.
 
"You've got to learn to trust more," Grant said. "Then it's emphasized that if you move the ball in practice more, it translates to the game. Ball moves. Defense moves. Defense can't get set. You get them shooters open. Everything works."
 
It takes time to build trust each season and this is a team with significant new parts. That trust will get tested against a tougher opponent on Saturday against North Texas – which defeated Purdue in the NCAA Tournament. Soon after, American Athletic Conference play starts and opponents grow bigger, faster and armed with detailed scouting reports.
 
The last two games are a good start on the Shockers showing that they understand the importance of trust. That is how they earn many more ovations in the final minutes.
 
 

Normally you have to pay for those seats Monzy, but we'll let this one slide.@cash9_ x @ESPNPlus

📺: https://t.co/mYChaB5Rto pic.twitter.com/LKhh6senZn

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) December 15, 2021

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