Men's Basketball | 11/15/2026 11:55:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Kenyon Giles did not score and didn't try often. He helped the Shockers on offense just by being Kenyon Giles. The Shockers did not miss his scoring. At all.
 
Unthinkable a season ago. A year later, all the things Wichita State coaches talked about in the off-season are real so far this season. The Shockers handled Austin Peay 76-60, leading by 11 or more points over the game's final 15 minutes and by as many as 22, on Saturday at Koch Arena.
 
"We have depth," associate head coach Kenton Paulino said. "We're not so reliant on KG. He's not worried about getting his shots."

Austin Peay (2-2) wanted to make someone other than Giles score and sold out in numerous ways to limit him. Numerous Shockers happily put the ball in the basket.

Center William Berg made a three-pointer, the first of his college career. Joy Ighovodja made one (and is 6 for 6 this season). Dillon Battie made two on his way to a career-high 27 points. Michael Gray Jr. made three (and is 10 of 18 this season). Giles missed both of his shots behind the arc and it didn't matter. WSU (3-1) made 12 of 30 three-pointers (40 percent) to improve to 45.5 percent for the year.
 
The Shockers shot 40 percent or better for the third straight game, something that last happened during the 2020-21 season.
 
"We have multiple guys who can score and make plays," said Paulino, subbing for coach Paul Mills, who opted out of post-game interviews due to a strained voice. "On any night, any one of these guys could be the leading scorer."
 
 

Confirmed: Joy is still en fuego 🔥 JI is 6-for-6 from 3-point range this season 🤯 @Joyigho6 | ESPN+ https://t.co/OOgwjZJYdK

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 15, 2026

 
 
The Shockers did it with Giles enveloped by one or two defenders all night. The Governors played zone and man defense. They pressed and trapped and threw a box-and-one at Giles in the second half. He screened, passed and served as a decoy to allow his teammates to go 4-on-4 much of the night and use all that space to score.
 
"KG influences the game in so many different ways," Berg said. "Spacing. Defense. He's not just a one-trick pony."
 
All signs point to WSU's increased options for scoring. Talents the Shockers hinted at last season are coming to the front. Progress with individual skills continues. Working within the offense to get good shots continues.
 
 Berg made his three from the corner on an out-of-bounds play. Battie made 11 of 15 shots by driving to the basket and using space created by Shocker shooters. Gray is off to a sizzling start, as Mills predicted, because he is no longer burdened by point guard duties and can serve as a dangerous catch-and-shoot threat.
 
Guard Jordan Frison handed out nine assists. Guard Jahari Long added seven.
 
"Anybody can go get a good (scoring) game," Battie said. "That all of us can work together and get a win is all that matters."
 
The offense is in such good shape, no matter Giles' scoring, that Mills lost his voice while coaching defense all week in response to breakdowns in a loss to No. 21 Southern Cal.
 
"After the USC game, we came in here and we did in practice was defense," Paulino said. "We want to have more ball pressure. We want to talk more. As long as the guys put forth the effort, we'll get there."
 
Effort is important. So is a depth of talent and a willingness to maximize it all.
 
 

WILLIAM B3RG, LADIES & GENTLEMEN 🔥 https://t.co/DvW3augmWp

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 15, 2026

 
 
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.