Men's Basketball | 11/18/2025 9:20:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop

The word the Shockers use is connection to explain how a refreshed team can play so smoothly so quickly.
 
On Tuesday, that connection will need to work on the road through the noise and distractions of Boise State's fans at ExtraMile Arena, where the Broncos (3-1) average 9,954 fans through four games. The game is at 8 p.m. on the Mountain West Network.
 
While that is challenging enough that Wichita State practiced with loudspeakers on blast in Koch Arena before leaving Monday, the connection started in June and on display for three home games is an impressive start to the season.
 
"We don't have any selfish players," guard Michael Gray Jr., said. "It was a long summer and the fall, being connected. Everyone is willing to give up the ball because they know 'Hey, I'll get it back.'"
 
Shooting and sharing the basketball are the defining traits of Wichita State's 3-0 start. The Shockers committed two turnovers in last week's 95-74 win over Loyola of Chicago to tie the school record. Its average of 8.7 turnovers a game is No. 15 nationally. Its 42.3 percent accuracy from three-point range is No. 23.
 
It is an encouraging start for a team that lost its top nine scorers from 2024-25. While the schedule gets tougher, the new group looks like a good fit with coach Paul Mills' preferred style of three-point shots, quick attacks on offense and few turnovers.
 
Mills, after the win over Loyola, said it is important for his team to get into its offense before a defense can get organized. Success, he said, often comes in the first 10 seconds of the 30-second shot clock. His numbers say the Shockers score more efficiently in the first 10 seconds than the second, and better in the second than the third.
 
"If you can go against a defense that isn't set, you're probably going to be able to do that," he said. "You do try to get them to make quick decisions. We kind of simplified things, in regards to our spacing. We told them that quick decisions are better than right decisions, because you're learning how to move the basketball."
 
 

ICYMI: We broke the school record for 3-pointers in a single game last night.

For your viewing pleasure, here are all 16. pic.twitter.com/JMwRNMfDvO

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 14, 2025

 
 
Coaches had to live with mistakes over the summer as the Shockers adjusted. The free-flowing approach puts a premium on passing the ball up the court, running to open spots and cutting – all while the defense is back-pedaling and searching for assignments. The Shockers called them "EPA," early pass ahead.
 
"It's pass ahead, trying to get the ball ahead to people that can get downhill in transition or get shots up," Gray said. "You've seen (Kenyon Giles) stop in transition and knock down shots."
 
Gray's ability to play point guard is a key to the offense because Giles is a deadly shooter who knows how to get open.
 
Gray played point guard in high school. At Nicholls State, he played shooting guard with point guard duties mixed in, especially late in the shot clock when his team needed a basket. He wanted to play more point guard, which made WSU an attractive transfer destination. He looked at WSU's roster, with players such as Giles and center Will Berg, during the recruiting process and decided he would fit in.
 
"They needed someone to get them the ball," he said. "Now I'm more of a pure point guard who can score. It's seeing what the defense gives me. A lot of times, it's finding (Giles) early, finding (Karon Boyd) early, hitting Will on the short roll."
 
That fast-changing offense is helped because several Shockers can push the ball and then becoming a threat to pass or shoot. Giles and Gray are good ball-handlers with deep shooting range. Forward T.J. Williams has 10 assists and two turnovers. He is 11 of 12 from the line, which makes his driving ability more dangerous. Guard Dre Kindell has 14 assists and two turnovers.
 
"We're a connected team, and that's been a big emphasis for all of us," Berg said. "Building a bond and chemistry. I think you can see that pretty clearly on the bench. Guys who don't play that much are still engaged and screaming for each other and hyping each other up."

The Shockers face thousands of screaming Broncos fans at Boise State. Their ability to stay connected, offensive and defensively, is critical.
 
 

OH MIKE GAWD pic.twitter.com/rUxedDMBRL

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 14, 2025

Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
 
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.