The RoundHouse | 2/26/2026 6:42:00 AM
By
Paul Suellentrop
They are compliments,
TJ Williams understands, even if they don't come wrapped in kind words.
During Wichita State's win over Temple on Saturday, Williams said one of the officials told him they reviewed a box-out and determined he went too hard in pursuit of a rebound.
"No such thing," coach
Paul Mills said.
In October, the Shockers scrimmaged Drake. Williams, a redshirt freshman, didn't play as aggressively as Mills wants and struggled executing WSU's defense. In the video review, Mills did not spare his feelings.
"It was an hour session of
TJ Williams," Williams said. "You can't pout. They expect a lot out of you and they trust me. I'm taking it as 'I've got to step my game up. I know I'm a freshman, but I can't be out here like a freshman.'"
Another compliment. Officials notices you playing hard. Coach views your role as important enough to critique and knows you are the type of athlete who can handle straight talk.
"Since then, we haven't had that talk again," Williams said.
Certainly not after the past two games. Williams, a 6-foot-5 forward from Heights High School, is again showcasing his versatile skills as a scorer, rebounder and ball-handler. Whether it's stealing a possession with a rebound off a missed foul shot, leading a fast break before scoring with his left hand or bullying his way to the hoop, Williams is helping the Shockers surge toward March.
Wichita State plays at Memphis (12-15, 7-7 American) at 8 p.m., (ESPN2) tonight (Thursday). The Shockers (18-10, 10-5) will try to keep pace with Tulsa, now 11-5 after Tuesday's 90-56 win at Tulane and in second place in the American.
Williams scored a career-high 27 points in the 92-89 double-overtime win at ECU last week. He scored 11 in the two overtime periods. WSU stayed in the game on the strength of his ability to drive to the basket and score.
On Saturday, he contributed 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists in a 69-57 win over Temple.
"T.J. Wiliams has had a heck of a week," Mills said. "I don't think we would have won either of these games without him."
Mills told Williams to expect to face mental and physical challenges as he worked through the season. Most players, Mills said, will get worn down or frustrated in their first season (Williams sat out last season with an injury) as they adapt to the competition, travel and inevitable bumps and bruises.
"You're eventually going to be in the pit – everybody is," Mills said. "It's all going to be new to you. I think TJ hit a wall. It happens. We need him to play with confidence and games like (ECU) help."
Williams' struggles started with a concussion suffered late in a loss to Rice on Jan. 7. He sat out the next game. In recent weeks, he said he feels more energetic and focused than he did in the aftermath of the head injury.
"You're just kind of in a fog," he said. "It's pretty much of a struggle. You've got to get your timing back. You've got to get a lot of things back."
Consider Williams back after making 18 of 27 shots to average 16 points, plus seven rebounds, in his past three games.
"It's getting that confidence back," he said. "My teammates uplifted me through those days. You just keep working every day."
Williams' work is showing up prominently in recent games. His coach certainly notices. So do the officials.
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
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