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Abidde at Shocker Madness

Shocker Meet Newman in Wednesday Exhibition

11/1/2022 8:19:00 PM

NEWMAN at WICHITA STATE
Preseason Exhibition
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2022 | 7:02 p.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
 
Tickets: 316-978-FANS or goshockers.com/tickets
TV: none
Radio: KEYN 103.7 FM (GoShockers.com/Listen) w/ Mike Kennedy & Dave Dahl
Live Stats: ShockerStats.com
Series: WSU leads 6-0 (3-0 exhibitions); Last: Dec. 30, 2020 at CKA (WSU, 81-43)
 
 
OPENING TIPS:
  • Wichita State welcomes crosstown rival Newman for an exhibition tune-up, Wednesday at Charles Koch Arena.
  • Tickets are available at 316-978-FANS or by logging on to goshockers.com/tickets.
  • The contest will not be televised, but fans can listen live on KEYN 103.7 FM or online at goshockers.com/Listen.
  • The Shockers open up their 116th season next Monday, Nov. 7 against Central Arkansas (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
  • WSU and Newman have met six times since 2009 when the Jets completed their transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Games in 2011, 2014 and 2020 counted toward WSU's regular season records and statistics, and the other three were exhibitions.
  • WSU is a combined 6-0 in those games, topping 100 points on three occasions.
  • The teams last met on Dec. 30, 2020 under unique circumstances. Newman served as an emergency fill-in for East Carolina, which canceled its scheduled trip to Wichita due to COVID-19 protocol. The Shockers scored the game's first 16 points and rolled to an 81-43 victory.
  • Since 1973, when the NCAA reorganized into three Divisions, WSU is 35-0 in regular season games against non-D-I programs and 23-0 in preseason exhibitions.
  • WSU has won 27-straight preseason exhibitions dating back to 2001. The last loss came more than 31 years ago (Nov. 1, 2001 to Athletes First).
  • Third-year head coach Isaac Brown has 12 newcomers on the roster and as many as 10 could see time (second-time transfers Colby Rogers and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler are awaiting waiver decisions). Exhibition rules allow eligible players to participate without burning a potential redshirt year.
  • The Shockers will lean on fifth-year senior point guard Craig Porter Jr., last year's leader in assists (3.6), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.1). He and sophomore big man Kenny Pohto are the only returners from the 2021-22 active roster. Brown must otherwise replace over 80% of the team's points and minutes.
  • All eight of WSU's scholarship newcomers are transfers. Seven have previous D-I experience.
  • In lieu of a second exhibition, WSU played a closed-door scrimmage with Missouri State on Saturday, Oct. 29.
  • WSU was picked eighth out of 11 teams in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll.
  • KenPom ranks the Shockers 83rd nationally in its preseason metrics (74th defensively).WSU was picked eighth out of 11 teams in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll.
 
 
THE SHOCKS, IN SHORT:
  • Wichita State must replace over 80 percent of its points and minutes after on off-season that saw leading scorer Tyson Etienne leave early for the pros and seven other lettermen hit the transfer portal.
  • However, a near total roster reset also offers a fresh start following a disappointing season that saw the Shockers (15-13, 6-9) slip to seventh in the American Athletic Conference standings and miss out on the postseason for the first time since 2008.
  • Head coach Isaac Brown has the luxury of a fifth-year senior point guard in Craig Porter Jr. and promising sophomore big man Kenny Pohto to ease the transition. Those are the only returning players from last year's active roster, however 6-foot-7 combo guard Jalen Ricks and 6-9 forward Isaac Abidde each have a redshirt year in the system, and 6-9 senior center Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler boomerangs back into the fold after a season at Omaha.
  • They're joined by 11 entirely new faces. Brown offset the loss of eight lettermen with the addition of eight scholarship transfers (seven of whom have played at the Division I level).
  • The result is a roster that's actually more experienced than its predecessor (22 combined D1 seasons, compared to 15 heading into last season). The Shockers don't have a single true freshman on scholarship.
  • WSU played quality defense last year but its overall ceiling was limited by an inconsistent offense. Brown hopes to raise it in 2023 with a more balanced attack and better shooters. The 2021-22 Shockers made 211 three-pointers while shooting just 31.2 percent from deep. The incoming transfers alone combined for 300 triples on 36.6 percent accuracy.
  • Brown added experience in front court with fifth-year seniors James Rojas (6-5, F, Alabama) and Gus Okafor (6-6, F, Southeastern La.) and size with 7-footer Quincy Ballard (Florida State).
  • The backcourt also gets a boost with sharp-shooter Colby Rogers (6-2, Jr., Siena), versatile combo guards Jaykwon Walton (6-7, Jr., Georgia/Shelton State), Xavier Bell (6-3, So., Drexel) and Jaron Pierre (6-5, So., Southern Miss), and point guard Shammah Scott (6-2, So., Northwest Florida State).
 
 
WSU IN PRESEASON EXHIBITIONS:
  • The Shockers defeated Missouri Southern in last year's preseason exhibition, 90-58. Up 26-24 with 6:33 to play in the first half, WSU used a 20-2 run to pull away and finished the game on another 15-2 push.
  • WSU is 61-10 all-time in preseason exhibitions with 27-straight wins. Its last setback came Nov. 1, 2001 to Athletes First.
  • The Shockers are 24-0 in preseason exhibitions since CKA's 2003 renovation (average margin: 26.0 points).
  • The closest call in that stretch came in 2016 against Augusta (Ga.) University. All-American Keshun Sherrill hit six threes and scored 28 of his 33 points after halftime to help the Jaguars whittle a 20-point Shocker lead down to a single point near the 4:00-mark. WSU recovered for a 73-67 victory and went on to post a 31-5 record that year.
  • The most-lopsided win came the following year against Newman (113-55, +58). A Shocker team ranked No. 7 in the preseason AP Poll hit 35 free throws, scored 52 points in the paint and finished +19 on the glass. WSU's bench accounted for 70 of the 113 points.
  • Since 2003, when the NCAA reorganized into three divisions, WSU is 58-0 against non-D-1 programs (35-0 regular season, 23-0 exhibitions).
  • Five Shockers have scored at least 20 points in a Charles Koch Arena exhibition game, most recently Shaquille Morris who finished with a record 24 points in that 2016 scare against Augusta.
  • Other notable CKA Era exhibitions marks are held by Ramon Clemente (14 rebounds vs. Emporia St. in 2008), and the duo of Matt Braeuer and Landry Shamet (7 assists in 2007 and 2016 respectively).
 
 
SCOUTING NEWMAN:
  • After three years as an associate member, Newman gained full membership this summer in the MIAA – arguably the toughest hoops conference in NCAA Division II. The league has produced five of the last eight national champions.
  • Before moving to the MIAA, the Jets enjoyed a successful run in the Heartland Conference, which disbanded in 2019. They made their first D-II NCAA tournament appearance in 2013 and were on the bubble again in 2019 after winning 20 regular season games.
  • Head coach R.J. Allen is in his 11th season at Newman and sixth as head coach.
  • The Jets (6-21, 3-19 last year) are picked 13th out of 14 teams in the MIAA's preseason media poll.
  • Junior guard Ian Lee (9.6 ppg, 23 starts) and sophomore Stevie Strong (13.7 ppg) are the team's top returners.
  • Allen also has the luxury of three new transfers who have spent time at the Division I level: 6-6 junior guard Stevie Smith (Abilene Christian), 6-1 grad transfer Chuka Mekkam (Drexel) and 6-8 sophomore forward Thomas Zevgaras (Incarnate Word).
 
MATCHUP MASHUP:
  • WSU's Xavier Bell and Newman Chuka Mekkam were teammates at Drexel.
  • Newman head coach R.J. Allen is the son of former Shocker assistant Ron Allen. The elder Allen worked three seasons under Mike Cohen (1989-92) before transitioning to a successful high school coaching career in the Wichita City League. The elder Allen coached his son to the 2002 6A state title at Wichita East.
  • Newman will play another exhibition Saturday night at Missouri State. The Shockers faced MSU last weekend in a closed-door scrimmage.
 
 
THE SERIES WITH NEWMAN:
WSU has won all six meetings with Newman (three regular season, three exhibitions).
 
Dec. 30, 2020 (CKA) | WSU 81, NU 43
WSU scored the first 16 points – its best opening salvo since an 18-0 run against Rider in 1991 – and rolled to victory… Dexter Dennis (16 pts) and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler (11 pts) paced the Shocker scoring… Joel Boyce had 10 points and nine boards for Newman, which agreed to play on just over 48 hours' notice after WSU's originally scheduled opponent (ECU) canceled due to COVID-19 protocol… WSU sank 11 of its first 15 shots (nine on dunks or layups) to build a 27-4 cushion and took a 46-18 lead into halftime.
 
Nov. 6, 2017 (CKA) | #7 WSU 113, NU 55 (Exh.)
Preseason top-10 WSU teamed up with Newman to raise money for the American Red Cross in a special charity exhibition game… The Shockers took Newman's best shot for 13 minutes, then returned the favor over the next 13. After the Jets buried four straight threes to pull within 32-26 at the 6:37-mark of the first half, the Shockers spanned halftime with a 44-7 run… WSU hit its last 10 shots before the break and hounded the visitors into 10 straight misses to begin the second half… Rauno Nurger led a group of five double-digit scorers with 16 points.
 
Nov. 23, 2014 (CKA) | #11 WSU 105, NU 57
The Shockers hit 10 threes in a 67-point first-half (tied for the most by a WSU team in the shot-clock era) and rolled to a 48-point victory… A couple of Bakers paced the scoring. Junior guard Ron Baker finished with a game-high 18 in 24 minutes, while Reggie Baker paced Newman with 14.
 
Dec. 19, 2011 (CKA) | WSU 102, NU 53
The Shockers shot a sensational 69.2% and held Newman to 28.1% from the field… The five WSU starters combined to sink over 70%: Ben Smith (6/7), Garrett Stutz (6/7), Joe Ragland (5/7), Carl Hall (5/8), Toure' Murry (2/5)… Smith and Stutz led the way with 16 points apiece and Ragland tallied six assists… Eric Saunders (14) led the Jets… Nine Shockers combined for 15 steals.
 
Nov. 10, 2010 (CKA) | WSU 80, NU 62 (Exh.)
Four Shockers reached double-figures, paced by Garrett Stutz (4/4 FG, 14 pts, 7 reb) and Ehimen Orukpe snagged 11 rebounds in an exhibition tune-up for the eventual NIT champions… Bobby Wesley (11 points) and former Shocker Mason Felter (team-high six rebounds) fueled Newman.
 
Nov. 7, 2009 (CKA) | WSU 81, NU 69 (Exh.)
WSU never trailed but struggled to put away the visiting Jets in the first-ever meeting between the schools… Sophomores Toure' Murry (16 points) and Garrett Stutz (12 pts, 7 reb) led the charge… Newman's Chip Stevens finished with 15 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting… Up 11 at halftime WSU hit eight of its first 12 shots to start the second half for a 58-41 lead.
 
 
A SHOCKER WIN WOULD….
... In no way affect their record.
... Give them 28-straight exhibition wins since 2001.
... Make them 25-0 in preseason exhibitions since Charles Koch Arena's 2003 renovation.
... Make them 7-0 vs. Newman (4-0 exhibitions).
 
A SHOCKERS LOSS WOULD...
... Snap a 27-game exhibition winning streak.
... Be their first since Nov. 1, 2001 to Athletes First.
... Be their first to Newman in seven tries.
 
 
UP NEXT:  
The Shockers open the regular season with home games next week against Central Arkansas (Monday, 7 p.m.) and Alcorn State (Saturday, 3 p.m.). Both games will air on ESPN+. Tickets are available for each at goshockers.com/Tickets or by calling 316-978-FANS.
 
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