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RH: Porter's Scoring Adds to Offensive Threats

RH Craig Porter

The RoundHouse | 2/17/2022 1:18:00 PM

Paul Suellentrop Byline
 
Wichita State faces three games to turn its February revival into a resurgence.
 
The Shockers showed they can win home games, showed they can beat a good team at home and win close games at home. To head into March with momentum, they need to take those steps on the road.
 
More Shockers are playing well more often in recent games and that trend needs to continue as the schedule toughens.
 
Wichita State (13-9, 4-6 American Athletic Conference) plays at Cincinnati (16-9, 6-6) on Thursday (6 p.m. ESPN2). A home game against No. 14 Houston (Sunday) awaits before trips to Memphis and Tulsa.
 
The Shockers have won four of their past six games, highlighted by a 72-57 win over second-place SMU. Losses at Tulane (67-66) and UCF (71-66) keep the Shockers in the bottom half of the standings.
 
"We're starting to make shots," coach Isaac Brown said. "Early on, in the first three conference games of the year, we were shooting right at 30 percent from the three-point line. These last four or five games, we've moved up to 37- percent. I feel like our defense is still at a high level, but the offense has gotten better."
 
That six-game stretch continues to highlight the progress and the importance of guard Craig Porter Jr.
 
The Shockers present more of a well-rounded offense for stretches in recent weeks. Porter stitching the lineup together at point helps immensely. The Shockers are shooting 37.3 percent from three-point range in those six games to bring their season rate to 32.6 percent.
 
"When you've got five guys on the floor that can score, it helps your offense because if you've got one guy out there that can't score, they're going to help off that guy," Brown said. "If you've got two guys out there, they're going to help a lot, and you can't get any layups. All you can get are contested threes, and you don't want that."
 
 

Porter is more of an offensive threat in recent games, averaging 9.1 points and shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range in nine American games. As he puts more stress on defense, life gets easier for teammates Tyson Etienne, Ricky Council IV and Dexter Dennis. They enjoy more open shots when Porter plays well and limits turnovers.
 
"He makes guys around him better, but his offense has gotten better," Brown said. "Last year, if you would throw Craig the ball late in the game, he would drive it and kick it to someone, and we'd get a shot clock violation. Now when you throw it to him after guys do a double team, he's got enough confidence to step up and make a wide-open three, or he can drive the basketball and finish at the rim. His all-around game has gotten totally better."
 
Put Council and Dennis in that picture, as well.
 
In recent games, they are stepping up to give the Shockers threats in addition to Etienne. Council averages 15.2 points over the past six games with his ability to drive and draw fouls adding an important piece to the offense. Dennis is shooting 37 percent from three-point range in nine conference games after making 4 of 7 in a win over USF.
 
That takes a singular defensive focus off Etienne, who is shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range in his past five games. In conference play, he averages 15.6 points and is shooting 35.5 percent from behind the arc.
 
"You want all the guys on the basketball floor to be a threat, so you're able to drive closeouts, kick it to another guy to get an wide-open shot, and when you've got five guys out there that can score, it just keeps the offense spread out," Brown said.
 
Dennis, in particular, can make defenses pay for leaving him open. His recent hot streak continues his career-long pattern of making more shots as the season progresses. Last season, he made 44.7 percent of his threes over his final nine games. In 2019-2020, he shot 39 percent from the behind the arc in conference play.
 
He credits attention to shooting form with helping his shot. He often drifts back on jump shots, instead of jumping straight and landing on balance. Etienne reminds him to "stay in the shot."
 
"When I shoot and I land, stay there," Dennis said. "Keep my follow through and my feet there. Don't fall back."
 
Etienne has seen enough Dennis shots over the years to know when his teammate is drifting.
 
"When he has great shot discipline, his shots go in," Etienne said. "He has a beautiful release."
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Dexter Dennis

#0 Dexter Dennis

G
6' 5"
Junior
Tyson Etienne

#1 Tyson Etienne

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Craig Porter Jr.

#3 Craig Porter Jr.

G
6' 2"
Junior
Ricky Council IV

#4 Ricky Council IV

G
6' 6"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Dexter Dennis

#0 Dexter Dennis

6' 5"
Junior
G
Tyson Etienne

#1 Tyson Etienne

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Craig Porter Jr.

#3 Craig Porter Jr.

6' 2"
Junior
G
Ricky Council IV

#4 Ricky Council IV

6' 6"
Freshman
G