With the 2010 NIT Season Tip-Off scheduled for November 15th, it is time to count down the Top 25 of hardwood nation.
2009-10 Result: 25-10 (12-6 Missouri Valley Conference) lost to Nevada 74-70 in the first round of the N.I.T.
Coach: Gregg Marshall 247-129 13 years (53-46 three seasons at Wichita State).
Nine Shockers have earned paychecks in the N.B.A.
Wichita State has made eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament including a national semi-final game in 1965, Elite Eight showings in 1964 and 1981 and a Sweet Sixteen spot in 2006.
Key Returners:
Toure’ Murry 31.6 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 5 rpg
J. T. Durley 25.1 mpg, 11.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Graham Hatch 28.3 mpg, 9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Gabe Blair 20.3 mpg, 6.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Notable Non-Conference Tilts: Maui Invitational 11/22 vs. U Conn, 11/23 vs. Chaminade of Michigan State, 11/24 vs. Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia or Washington, 12/4 at San Diego State, 12/18 vs. LSU
Stat of Identity: 4.9 Rebound Margin. The Shockers return their entire front court.
By Paul Casey Gotham
Consider this – in three of the last four NCAA tournaments, teams from the Missouri Valley Conference have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Last March, the Panthers of Northern Iowa “Farooked” the defending champion, Kansas Jayhawks. In 2007, the Salukis of Southern Illinois lost to Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen. A year before that, the Shockers fell to George Mason in the semi-final of the East Regional.
Teams that survive the MVC know how to dance. They arrive at the tournament battle-tested.
Gregg Marshall returns four starters from a team that went 17-1 at home last season. The Shockers split with Northern Iowa in the regular season before falling to the Panthers in the conference final. Four more players who averaged double-digit minutes per game also come back for the Shockers.
Wichita State’s rebound margin ranked number one in the MVC. That number should climb with the likes of Garret Stutz (7′), Aaron Ellis (6’9″), Gabe Blair (6’8″) and J.T. Durley (6’8″) grabbing the rock. The Shockers added Ehimen Orupke (7′) for good measure.
At 6’5″, Toure’ Murry creates match-up problems. The junior can knock down three pointers (hit 42 a season ago), yet his 203 pound frame makes it difficult to stop him off the dribble. If he wants to get to the tin, opposing defenses will have to resort to fouling.
Graham Hatch spreads the floor. The senior hit 57 from behind the arc a year ago hitting at a 37 percent clip.
The Maui Invitational will serve as an early gauge. Don’t expect Wichita State to win the tournament, but the Shockers will get a measure of their opponents and f their potential.
It’s nice to see Wichita State once again somewhat relevant. In the early ’60s they were very relevant, at least for 1 or 2 seasons. I don’t even remember the players on that team or the coach, but they were contemporaries to Paul Silas (one of the best college rebounders of all time) at Creighton if I recall. I think they made it to the final 4 one year. Their flirtations with relevance since then have been few and far between. The MVC is one of college basketball’s best kept secrets.
Pete … speaking of the MVC … the Bradley Braves and SoIll certainly have a nice traditions. Hersey Hawkins went to Bradley and pretty sure Doug Collins went to SIU.
Casey … you mean to tell me that EVEN the Shockers are better than ND??? Crap! 🙁
Collins attended Illinois State – another MVC team.
I love Farmville haha
Once again, some great stats about a mid-major conference I didn’t realize. The stat I like most is these guys sticking around and establishing programs. The Shockers and other teams from the MVC probably go through a 2 year rebuilding period like JUCOs, but man – it seems like every 2 years you hear these names pop up again and become a real competitor.
And is it just me, or does their arena look like one of the best atmospheres out there? It seems like the stands are right on top of the action and the place s always sold out.
Wasn’t Walt Frazier a Saluki?
Clyde was a Saluk.