The RoundHouse | 11/26/2022 6:33:00 PM

 
Scoring is the most important part of basketball and Wichita State coach Isaac Brown considers it the hardest part of the game.
 
It is then counterintuitive – and successful – for the Shockers to think less about putting the basketball in the basket. The latest proof of that mind trick is senior forward Gus Okafor, who scored 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting in Saturday's 83-71 win over Tarleton State at Koch Arena.  
 
"You've got . . . everybody telling you you've got to score," Brown said. "That's putting a lot of pressure on you. If you just defend, rebound and play with toughness, the scoring will come."
 
After a slow start to his first season at Wichita State (4-2), Okafor is showing what coaches expected him to contribute. He scored 10 points in Tuesday's loss to San Francisco – after totaling 13 in Wichita State's first four games – and backed that up with Saturday's career-high effort.
 
As Brown advised, Okafor quit worrying about his jump shot and did all the effort items that are important. The scoring came as a result and in the flow of the game.
 
I really just tried to focus on playing as hard as I can," Okafor said. "Other games, I was kind of relying on my shooting. I just got going with my offensive boards and I kept going."
 
Okafor, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana made two of three three-pointers. He grabbed three offensive rebounds and eight total. He went 7 of 10 from the foul line, perhaps the biggest indicator of his energy and effectiveness. At Southeastern Louisiana, he averaged four free throws a game. In his first five games as a Shocker, he took two.
 
 

OMG GUS 😱😱😱@__CallmeGus x @ESPNPlus

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— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 26, 2022

 
 
Two dunks – one a soaring tip to close the first half and one on a lob pass – provided the exclamation points for Okafor.
 
"He has a motor," Shocker guard Craig Porter said. "He can do it at all three levels. That's a big help."
 
With 12 additions to the roster, all the Shockers are going through adjustment periods. The competition in practice has been a revelation for Okafor, who started 57 of 58 games in two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana and played 30 minutes a game.
 
He could count on getting minutes and shots with the Lions. Things are different at Wichita State, where an equally talented teammate is battling with him for playing time.
 
"You can't take days off (in practice), because it's going to get noticed," he said. "It's good, being held to a high standard."
 
Okafor's energy and hard work got him to Wichita State. In recent games, he is starting to show it consistently. An injury slowed him early and limited his conditioning, Brown said.
 
"He's one of those guys that goes hard every day in practice," Brown said. "He's put probably two weeks together where he's been going hard, he's been practicing hard."
 
The Shockers struggled to score in their first five games. Saturday, Okafor's contributions made Wichita State look like a more complete offensive team. Porter scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Center Kenny Pohto benefited from height advantage and added 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
Tarleton State (3-3) brought noteworthy defensive credentials to Koch Arena. The Texans defeated Boston College 70-54 and held the Eagles to 43.9 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers. They held Arizona State to 33.9 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers in a 62-59 loss.
 
The Shockers led by as many as 17 points in the second half and by double digits most of the half because its offense delivered.
 
Wichita State shot a season-high 54 percent from the field and made 24 of 29 foul shots. The Shockers committed 12 turnovers and got the ball to the right spots after beating Tarleton State's traps and grabbing, reaching defense. That produced good shots and put the Texans in foul trouble. The Shockers enjoyed a nine-point edge at the line.
 
Scoring hasn't been easy for the Shockers. It is going to take a balanced, low-turnover approach to get past the 60-point mark and reach the neighborhood of 70, where winning becomes easier. Okafor can help.
 
The Shockers know all that. They just don't need to think about it.
 
 

This was just a preposterous 30 seconds from Craig Porter.@craigporter0 x @ESPNPlus

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— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 26, 2022

 
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.