AfterShocks | 6/23/2021 2:05:00 PM

 
The 2019 AfterShocks went big with some of the best centers in recent Wichita State basketball history. The 2021 AfterShocks are smaller, leaning on lessons from that 1-1 performance two years ago in The Basketball Tournament.
 
"There's really not even X's and O's (in TBT)," AfterShocks general manager Ron Baker said. "The teams that are good are the ones that force a bad shot and, literally, make two passes and go. Sideline Cancer, their team was extremely guard-heavy."
 
Sideline Cancer made 14 three-pointers in 2019 to eliminate AfterShocks 87-79 in Koch Arena. Baker and AfterShocks coach Zach Bush went to school on that game and others in TBT. They downsized and plan on using agile bigs capable of running, shooting and defending shooters. Rashard Kelly, Markis McDuffie and Darral Willis fit this plan – athletes who can improvise, screen and roll and play fast. Former Maryland shot-blocker Damonte Dodd (6-foot-10) adds size as a late replacement for Jaime Echenique, who bowed out to rehab an injury.
 
The 2019 AfterShocks used Garrett Stutz, Shaq Morris and J.T. Durley, all talented low-post scorers. TBT is closer to a physical pickup game than a structured game built on months of practice and years of team building. It isn't always suited to their styles, successful as they were as Shockers.
 
"There's not a ton of on-the-block, back-you-down basketball," Bush said. "You go back to the games and watch, Sideline Cancer, they have bigs who can really run, they block shots, they rebound. Get a little bit smaller, but a little bit more athletic and being able to move your feet. Darral and Rashard should be great with that."
 
Bush and Baker also downsized the roster by two or three. They expect to suit up nine or 10 (rosters are often fluid in TBT due to injuries and players wanting time off). Management started with a core group of around six guard-and-wing types and built from there.
 
"It comes down to having guards that can score," Baker said. "We feel like the mix is good."
 
The AfterShocks have Conner Frankamp and Samajae Haynes-Jones to score. Toure' Murry and Tekele Cotton are the type of versatile, experienced defenders TBT teams need. Tyrus McGee, a former Iowa State guard, scored 24 points in 2019 for Iowa United against the AfterShocks.
 
Cotton was the 10^th man added and Baker and Bush are thrilled to add one of the most popular Shockers of recent times. Baker talked to him on FaceTime about two weeks ago. Bush said ticket sales spiked noticeably when fans learned of Cotton's addition to the roster.
 
"Seeing his goofy smile back in Koch Arena this go-around is going to be very special," Baker said. "He was here in 2019 and he's seen what the TBT was like. Other than Toure', maybe, he's probably the biggest add. Tekele was one of those players that didn't really always get the credit he deserved. Tremendous defender. Could hit big shots. Could handle the ball."
 
The second-seeded AfterShocks open the tournament at 8 p.m. July 16 against 15^th-seeded Ex-Pats, a team of Patriot League alums. The winner plays the winner of Kansas State's Purple & Black and Creighton's Omaha Blue Crew at 3 p.m. Sunday.
 
Tickets for all TBT game days and events are on sale now at goshockers.com/tickets.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.