Shockers Stymie Opponents on Road Trip
Shockers go 2-1 on 3 game road trip, First Interest in Recruit
If initial results show anything, it’s that the Wichita State Shockers are willing to buy in to the change in approach adopted after a switch in Athletic Director. The Shockers on their most recent road trip showcased a willingness to embrace taking their time on offense, with two of the tree games reducing the shots allowed by 8-10 shots a game over the season average. The one departure was an effort to force the opposition into shooting with their least proficient shooters. The result is the first back to back wins since the 3rd and 4th game of conference play.
“Sometimes just that change of pace that breathes life into you” True Sophomore Dax Justice said after his season high 8 assist game against Swarthmore “I think that what we’ve been pushing for most of the season was the right idea, it just didn’t bring the results we wanted and I know some of the guys were starting to feel a little bit of that pressure to do better. The change in strategy was more about getting our confidence back by throwing a curve ball at our opponents who had us scouted, but i think more importantly it loosened us up as a team and now we can get out there and just play basketball”.
The end of season schedule includes 2 of the promotion favorites at home and a road game against a team in similar standing to the Shockers, who sit 7-20 and likely to finish either 12th or 13th in the conference this season. Attendence is expected to be a bit higher for the last home game of the season with a few seniors likely playing their last college basketball at home.
On the recruiting trail, reports have linked the Shockers to Dwayne Roberts, a slightly undersized guard out if Swampscott Massachusetts, he’s posted reasonable numbers on offense and utilizes his speed to create the gaps on offense while also closing down gaps on defense. Emerson is also linked to Roberts, which would be the more local option for Roberts should that be more important to him. So far Roberts camp has been relatively quiet about when he might choose to make his College decision, so the battle to get him may yet have some twists and turns.