The RoundHouse | 12/28/2022 2:16:00 PM
Wichita State starts its sixth season of conference basketball in the American at UCF (6 p.m. ESPN+) on Wednesday. The Shockers (7-5) are on the road and uncertain of the availability or effectiveness of starting point guard Craig Porter, who is hampered by a sprained left ankle.
The Shockers fit with most of the conference – inconsistent and looking for a hot shooting night and favorable bounces. No. 3 Houston (12-1) is the conference's heavy favorite and Memphis (10-3) is off to a good start with wins over Auburn and Mississippi. The rest of the conference is searching for the right combination and a win streak.
Five questions as the Shockers open AAC play:
Where will scoring come from?
Eight Shockers started at least one game and six of them were not on the roster last season. With all those newcomers, the offense is inconsistent and that probably isn't surprising. Its worst shooting performances come against its best competition.
That is a near total remake and Porter is charged with leading and teaching.
Can this group learn how to trust the offense more, eliminate bad shots and turnovers and do the little things that save possessions and add up? That may be the difference between a good conference season and disappointment.
It is hard to win when a team barely breaks 50 points. Get to 60 or so and a team that plays hard on defense and rebounds, as the Shockers are capable of, can win.
The difference between a slog to 50 and making things easier may fall to Shockers such as
Jaron Pierre Jr. and
Jaykwon Walton. Both have shown the ability to score in a variety of ways. Walton is shooting 45.4 percent behind the arc and leads the Shockers with 32 free throws and 25 made. Pierre scored in double figures in four of the past five games.
Guard
Melvion Flanagan and forward
Gus Okafor are also candidates to add offensive punch. Okafor put together a strong three-game stretch against San Francisco, Tarleton State and Missouri. Flanagan is 7 of 17 from three-point range in a recent run in the rotation.
More help from the big men would make life easier for the outside shooters.
How far can defense take the Shockers?
Wichita State's ranking of No. 110 in the NET (used by the NCAA as a power rating system) places it fourth in the American behind No. 2 Houston, No. 45 Memphis and No. 66 UCF.
Wichita State's defense and pace will likely keep it in most games, as it has so far. The Shockers rank No. 37 nationally, in Ken Pomeroy's statistics, in defensive efficiency. They are holding opponents to 36.4 percent shooting, ninth nationally and second in the AAC behind Houston.
In 2021, the Shockers excelled closing out close games on their way to a conference title. Last year, the results changed. While the Shockers have struggled with turnovers, they possess the ball-handlers to close games effectively, if they make good decisions with passing and shooting. A little luck helps, as well.
How is the American looking?
Strong at the top with Houston fighting for a No. 1 seed. Memphis is solidly in the field. Average to worse outside the top three.
UCF could build an at-large case with a strong conference schedule – its best win is over Oklahoma State, and it is saddled with a home to loss to UNC Asheville.
If the Shockers consider the non-conference a struggle, so does most of the conference. Most teams will look at the standings and believe a top-half finish is possible with good health and a few breaks.
The rest of the conference is 2-8 against Quad 1 opponents with Temple (Rutgers) and SMU (Utah State) grabbing those wins.
What is the schedule's crucial stretch?
It is likely upon us. The Shockers open AAC play against UCF and ECU, teams it has dominated since joining the conference. Then it gets Cincinnati at home before traveling to play USF, which has three losses to teams 150 or lower in the NET and whose best win is over No. 124 Hofstra at home. Struggling Tulsa (4-7) visits Koch Arena.
The Shockers need to emerge from the stretch 3-2 or better before heading to Memphis and SMU.
Who is the Shocker MVP so far?
Porter leads the Shockers in scoring (12.8 points), assists (3.9), blocks (1.8) and steals (1.7) and is second at 6.1 rebounds.
Every defense is designed to harass him and make other Shockers make plays.
Walton has made a fast adjustment after playing 22 games in junior college last season and nine games at Georgia from 2019-21. He is a versatile scorer and a good defender who can help Porter.
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
