Wichita State Shockers
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #84
Conference Rank: #5 American
Wichita State started last season 15-1. Things did not go nearly as well in American Athletic Conference play though. But for a team that had to settle for a trip to the NIT in 2019, it was a solid overall season. Looking ahead to 2020-2021, the Shockers have some concerns. Coach Greg Marshall’s team was hit hard by transfers and he was forced to go out and build a large class of newcomers to help fill the holes.
2019-20 Record: 23-8, 11-7
Coach: Greg Marshall
Coach Record: 331-121 at Wichita State, 525-204 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jaime Echenique, Center, 11.3 ppg
Erik Stevenson, Guard, 11.1 ppg
Jamarius Burton, Guard, 10.3 ppg
Grant Sherfield, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Asbjern Midtgaard, Center, 1.5 ppg
Noah Fernandes, Guard, 1.4 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Dexter Dennis, Junior, Guard, 9.2 ppg
Trey Wade, Senior, Forward, 7.4 ppg
Tyson Etienne, Sophomore, Guard, 9.4 ppg
Morris Udeze, Junior, Forward, 4.3 ppg
Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, Junior, Forward, 1.8 ppg
Key New Players:
Craig Porter Jr, Junior Guard, JC Transfer
Alterique Gilbert, Senior Guard, Transfer from UConn
Ricky Council IV, Freshman, Guard
Remy Robert II, Junior Guard, JC Transfer
Chaunce Jenkins, Freshman, Guard
Jaden Seymour, Freshman, Forward
Clarence Jackson, Sophomore, Forward, JC Transfer
Josaphat Bilau, RS Freshman, Forward
Trevin Wade, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Projection:
Dexter Dennis and Tyson Etienne are the top returning scorers. Dennis, a 6-5 junior, averaged 9.2 points per game and is a very good rebounder for a guard. Etienne earned 17 starts as a freshman and tallied 9.4 points per game. Both are solid outside shooters who give Wichita State proven options on the wing. Trey Wade is a versatile 6-6 forward who can shoot the ball and help out on the glass. The lone returning scholarship senior on the roster, Wade is ready to be a leader on the floor. Juniors Morris Udeze and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler are tough interior players who will need to play larger roles after averaging around ten minutes each in 2019-2020. The newcomers, especially four of those with some experience, will play a big role for Wichita State this season. Alterique Gilbert, who comes from Connecticut as a graduate transfer, will step right into the starting point guard position. The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 assists with the Huskies last season. Craig Porter and Trevin Wade both had great seasons at the junior college ranks and will add a couple more potent options on the perimeter. Clarence Jackson is another tough forward who spent last season at a junior college. With a few freshmen who can battle in the paint as well, Wichita State has the depth they need to compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. It will come down to how quickly all those new players can fit into Coach Marshall’s system.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.8 (150th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.8 (33, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.7 (319, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.1 (15, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (110, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.8 (209, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.7 (217, 8)
Rebound Margin: 4.7 (45, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (94, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.8 (141, 3)
