The RoundHouse | 2/12/2022 10:40:00 PM

 
Ricky Council IV plays more and plays better when he limits his turnovers. However, Wichita State coach Isaac Brown doesn't want Council to lose the boldness that makes him such a dangerous scorer.
 
There seems little danger of that – confidence is Council's brand. But on Saturday, Brown did feel the need to remind Council to keep attacking.
 
"I told Ricky, coming into this game, we just can't have a lot of turnovers against a good defensive team," Brown said. "I felt like I took his aggression. So, during a timeout, I said 'Ricky, I need you to be more aggressive.'"
 
No worries. Brown got the best of Council in Saturday's 73-69 win over USF at Koch Arena. Council led the Shockers with 18 points, 16 in the second half. His five-point burst gave the Shockers a 67-61 lead with 1:13 to play and essentially ended the game.
 
One turnover is the key stat for Council. When he handles the ball carefully and focuses on defense, his offensive skills are a game-changer for the Shockers.
 
"He played the right way all night," Brown said. "He didn't turn it over. He had good momentum every time he drove the basketball. He drove and kicked it. He finished at the rim."
 
The Shockers (13-9, 4-6 American Athletic Conference) let the Bulls (7-16, 2-9) hang around in the first half and then more than hang around in the second. USF led 53-46 with 7:19 to play after taking advantage of Wichita State's second unit and shooting uncharacteristically well from three-point range.
 
 

Onions.@Rickythe4th x @ESPNU

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— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) February 13, 2022

Just in time, Wichita State's press began to force turnovers and the Shocker shooters hit open shots. A three by Dexter Dennis – who made 4 of 7 – cut the Bulls leads to 53-49. Two turnovers – one a diving steal by Dennis that led to a layup by Council - by the Bulls let the Shockers cut the lead to 53-52.
 
The press permanently swung the game. USF turned the ball over five times in the final 6:46.
 
That pressure got the crowd rolling and the Shockers upped their energy. A steal by Craig Porter Jr., led to Dennis' three and a 62-59 lead. Council's stepback three and his short jumper made it 67-61.
 
The Shockers endured those frustrating droughts on offense Saturday. Those slumps didn't prove fatal because, in the final minutes, the offensive diversified. The Bulls had to account for guard Tyson Etienne, who hit a three to tie it 55-all. Add in Council and a good shooting night by Dennis and the Shockers are much harder to guard.
 
"For (Council) to be able to turn it on and get buckets is important," Etienne said. "I know he can score the basketball with the best of them."
 
The Shockers have won four in a row at home with Council scoring in double figures in all. His 31 points against UCF started the home success. Against SMU, he scored 12 second-half points on his way to 20.
 
 

This is an absolutely ridiculous play by Dexter Dennis.@ldl_dex x @ESPNU

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— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) February 13, 2022

Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.