The RoundHouse | 1/11/2022 4:36:00 PM

 
 
Some of Wichita State's scoring struggles are self-inflicted. Turnovers and poor shooting are much discussed issues.
 
Playing two of the American Athletic Conference's top defenses added to the challenge. In all, scoring won't come easily in AAC play – four teams rank in the top 50 of Ken Pomeroy's defensive efficiency statistic, including No. 31 Wichita State. Two more rank in the top 100.
 
All of which puts the spotlight on Wednesday's game against Tulane (7 p.m. ESPN+). The Shockers (9-5, 0-2 American) are at home and play a team that allows opponents to score 72.2 points a game.
 
The Green Wave (6-7, 3-1) has played strong defense in its four conference games, but it doesn't block many shots and it allows opponents to grab offensive rebounds against its zone defense. Their wins over short-handed Memphis (85-84) and Cincinnati (68-60) show they can play with the conference's top teams.
 
Those factors won't make it easy for the Shockers to score. Tulane does offer some opportunities for Wichita State to get something rolling on offense, if it does the right things to take advantage of a zone defense designed to induce a team to ignore attacking in the lane.
 
"They sit back in that matchup zone," Wichita State coach Isaac Brown said. "They want to force you to shoot jump shots. We've got to throw it inside. We can't just settle for threes."
 
Facing the Green Wave is a different challenge after playing Memphis and Houston. Houston is No. 13 nationally in Pomeroy's defense ranking and Memphis is No. 47. Both are top 10 in blocks and top 40 in steal, according to Pomeroy.
 
Tulane ranks No. 136 nationally in defense. That only matters if the Shockers avoid turnovers and commit to moving the ball and taking good shots. They can put stress on Tulane's defense with fast breaks or offensive rebounds – both tactics can get the defense out of alignment. That, Brown said, can help pull the Shockers out of their scoring slump.
 
"We've got to try to get out in transition and get some easy baskets," Brown said. "We've got to try to beat the zone down the floor."
 
Last season, the Shockers swept Tulane. Their play in both offers advice for this season's team. In Wichita, the Shockers led by 21 before holding off a late rally. Tulane shot 30.8 percent from the field. In New Orleans, the Shockers grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second-chance points.
 
Dexter Dennis' defense played a key role in both the 75-67 win at home and the 78-70 win in New Orleans. He guarded Tulane's Jaylen Forbes frequently and played a lead role in holding Forbes to 1-of-22 shooting in the two games. Forbes is back and averages 15.1 points. He has more help with the arrival of freshman transfer Jalen Cook, who averages 19.4 points and is making 45 percent of his three-pointers.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.