The RoundHouse | 10/27/2023 8:29:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Every Shocker knows about the standard at Wichita State. They are reminded every day by coach Paul Mills about the standard, how they measure up and how they can improve.
 
"Every day," said junior Ronnie DeGray III. "At least three times a day in film sessions. And then three times in practice and then three times after practice."
 
For Mills, his early months as basketball coach are all about showing the Shockers what he expects, reinforcing those expectations with data, feedback, instruction and video and helping them reach that standard.
 
Over time, the standard becomes part of the program, players enforce the standard and pass it on.
 
"Eventually you've got to hand the reins over to your players," Mills said earlier this month. "Our job is to teach them what the standard is, lead them in a way that these are the expectations and then eventually hand them the reins."
 
To reach that place, there can't be uncertainty or mystery about what the coaches want when running the offense or setting a screen or chasing loose balls.
 
"He makes it very clear," center Jacob Germany said. "We're not guessing on things."
 
Much of Mills' standards are about hustle – rebounding, boxing out, sprinting on cuts, sprinting back on turnovers. Some are about offensive efficiency and points per possession. A "care factor" sheet distributed to players tallies who is meeting the standard in those areas that require focus and good habits.

 
"In practice, we have to do our job, which is rebounding for most people," Germany said. "If you don't do it, you have to run after practice. It's definitely motivating to do your job and stay to that standard."
 
Mills said the numbers are improving each day.
 
"Everybody's job is to defensive rebound," he said. "They get gauged on all those, they get a number at the end of the day. If they don't do their job, you run a 17, which is a pretty difficult thing to do . . . sideline to sideline you have to get 17 touches within a minute. It's not easy. They know every day who's doing rebounding running and care factor running."
 
For guard Xavier Bell, Mills' standard on getting good shots and not turning the ball over stands out. The best shots are layups and dunks, followed by open three-pointers.
 
"It's everything I could envision a coach would want," Bell said. "It's very clear, each player, what we need to do."
 
Freshman guard Yanis Bamba said he appreciates the clarity, given credibility by Mills' success at Oral Roberts. These standards helped ORU go 30-5 last season and play in the NCAA Tournament. In 2021, ORU beat Ohio State and Florida in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"He shows me all the plays and the reads we've got to make," Bamba said. "Something that's really important right now is defense. That's something we work on a lot."
 
The Shockers hear about the standard every day. Over the next five months, those standards are put into action on the court.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.