FanPost

Wichita State Depth May be the Difference

After watching WSU's annihilation of Hawaii Pacific in their only exhibition game this season, one thing stood out more than anything. Depth, depth, depth. I say this three times to mirror the depth this season's squad has. As every writer will tell you leading up to tip off, Seniors Ron Baker, Fred Van Vleet, and glue guy Evan Wessel are back for their final runs, making the Shockers a legitimate threat to return to the Final Four. Cleveland State transfer Anton Grady is also grabbing headlines as the Shockers "key new ingredient" and rightly so. That group alone would give the Shox a chance vs. any challengers that might come along. But most analysts simply put a big question mark after those four (until Kansas transfer Connor Frankamp becomes eligible in Dec.). Most feel that the Shocker sophomore class would be ample contributors, after gaining key experience as freshmen, to support the headline grabbing seniors (plus Frankamp).

That is where it is obvious that there is a lack of knowledge regarding "the rest". The afore mentioned soph's are more than adequate supporting cast with their familiarity in the system. Forwards Shaq Morris and Rashard Kelly bring that familiar WSU toughness. Both have the size and strength to inject toughness in the group coming off the bench. Morris grew steadily last season, showing flashes of brilliance, while steadilt contributing behind Darius Carter. His huge frame can get up and off the floor quickly, making him a shot-blocking threat ala Carl Hall. Kelly was mostly a rebounder and putback specialist last season as he learned what was expected of him. Gregg Marshall has already been quoted as naming R. Kelly the most improved returner. He seems to have added range and confidence to his impressive skill set. Wing Zach Brown is one of the most athletic Shockers. His 6'7" strong frame makes him deadly in the Valley, and a tough match up for any squad. Many Shocker fans see Brown as supplying the defense and athleticism the team lost when Tekele Cotton used all his eligibility. Brown started last season as a possible red-shirt candidate, and ended the season as a key contributor against the highly skilled Hoosiers and Kansas wings. Center Rauno Nurger, a former Ole Miss signee from Estonia, still has work to do adding muscle and strength to his 6'10" frame. If he can continue to improve physically, his range from three will give nightmares to opposing coaches already trying to figure out how to stop the suddenly hyper-offensive Shockers in years to come. Once Frankamp becomes eligible in Dec., this sophomore class could possibly compete for a Valley title, even without the standout Senior class.

As if the Shocker Senior and Sophomore class doesn't provide enough firepower, Marshall spent the last year bringing in his arguably most talented freshman class ever. Two top 100 recruits highlight this class in Landry Shamet and Markiss McDuffie. Both have gotten rave reviews from Marshall to this point, and both plan on seeing key minutes this season to help the adjustment next season to life without Baker and VanVleet. Shamet is a 6'4" SG with confidence and maturity beyond his years. He seems to be the heir apparent to Baker, and may have the trust of the team and staff to finally give Baker time off the floor. McDuffie is a 6'8" lean forward with guard ball handling skills. He has the size to play the 4, yet gives the Shockers another ball handler at the 3 come March, when the opponents can get bigger. The other 2 freshmen to see minutes this year are no slouches either. PG Ty Taylor is a 6'0" dynamo scorer in the mold of former Shockers Clevin Hannah, and Joe Ragland. Marshall only had those two for 2 years, so seeing Taylors progress will be something. Eric Hamilton originally signed with the Shockers prior to the 2014-15 season. After spending the summer working out with the Shox, he and the coaching staff decided he wasn't there mentally. He played a year at Sunrise Christian Academy to work on his mindset. It seems to have been the right decision, as he changed his work ethic to match his impressive physical traits. A 6'9" 235 pound true freshman is hard to find, especially at MVC schools. His sheer size, athleticism, and rebounding ability will allow him to spell Grady and Morris on the inside. If he continues to play the right way, his ceiling may be as high as the rest of the freshman.

I'm not saying that the Shockers should implement a "platoon" style system. Fred and Ron have earned the playing time to make this a special season on north Hillside. I'm just saying they realistically could platoon, with a few key players left over. However, with legitimate backups at every spot on the floor, the guards may not need to play 35 minutes every game. And with a rested VanVleet, Baker, and Grady still having their bursts when it matters most in March, this could indeed be a season to remember in Wichita.


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