Men's Basketball | 12/23/2024 12:09:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Corey Washington made two three-pointers, dunked and squeezed in an acrobatic layup. What he did in the air looked great. Pay attention to what he did on the floor.
The fans certainly noticed. Wichita State coach
Paul Mills noticed, and he noticed that the fans noticed. The Shockers learned they need to play with urgency and energy last week. Washington's game is all urgency and energy and that showed up and led the Shockers to Saturday's 84-65 win over Kansas State at Koch Arena, the largest margin of victory in the intermittent series since WSU's 75-51 win in 1995.
"Wichita State basketball fans are very smart, and what Corey is doing chasing in down 50-50 balls is contagious," Mills said. "People appreciate that stuff."
Mills has talked frequently about urgency and toughness this season, never with more urgency than after last week's loss to Kansas City. Washington, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, set that example with his rebounds, battling bigger opponents and getting to the floor first to secure a possession.
In the game's first minute, he and center
Quincy Ballard hustled to turn a potential Wildcat offensive rebound into a Shocker possession. In the second half, Washington dove to the floor to secure a bouncing rebound near the sideline. His pass to
Xavier Bell led to a three-pointer by
Justin Hill for a 44-41 lead.
"You need to see your guys see that to understand the level of intensity and physicality that you have to play with," Mills said.
The Shocker fans, as Mills said, are eager to reward that hustle with applause.
"It definitely gives us a boost of energy," Washington said. "This game, knowing the history of it, being an in-state rivalry, it had a lot of energy and passion behind it."
Xavier Bell, from Wichita, didn't need a boost of energy for his final shot against Kansas State.
Wayne Bell, Xavier's father, played football at WSU and is friends with former Shocker star Xavier McDaniel. He named his son after WSU's ultimate basketball intensity figure. The Shockers lost two previous meetings with Bell on the roster and had lost five straight in the series (which resumed in 2021 after a 17-year layoff).
"Them coming into our place, it definitely meant more," Bell said. "That's what I said to all the guys. It felt special."
Bell started for the first time this season, a reward for a good stretch of play, and responded with 24 points, five rebounds and two blocks. He made 5 of 6 foul shots and drew an estimated 9.3 fouls (matching Hill) to help the Shockers outscore the Wildcats by 14 points at the line.
"That guy has never once complained about his role," Mills said. "He's never once asked for any money. He's never once asked to be in the starting lineup. He shows up every day and works. His care factor is through the roof. That kid is about winning."
Bell's performance highlighted a strong effort by the Shocker guards.
They took the lead in pushing the ball and providing the fast pace so critical to the offense. Hill finished with 13 points and two assists. He made all six of his foul shots and matched Bell by drawing an estimated 9.3 fouls.
Bijan Cortes excelled in the second half with four assists. He made one of the game's biggest plays by ripping the ball away from Kansas State's Coleman Hawkins in the lane. Cortes sped up court and hit
Harlond Beverly for a layup and a 56-50 lead. Cortes' ability to run ball screens allowed the Shockers to pick on K-State's weaker defenders.
"We needed to put the ball in (Cortes') hands," Mills said. "He handled the pick and roll really well. It's great to have two guys like Justin and Bijan, not only can they play together, you can rest one and not fall off much."
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
