Wichita State: Shockers Face Tough Challenge Against Indiana State

By Grant Cohen | Feb 10, 2015

Learning from their third loss against #13 ranked Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Wichita State is coming together with only six conference games left before the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

After demolishing Missouri State on Saturday 78-35, the #15 ranked Shockers prepare for an Indiana State team that is looking to make a statement of their own.

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The Sycamores were snatched from an NCAA bid in 2014 as the Shockers steamrolled Indiana State to win their first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship since 1987, earning the automatic NCAA bid with a perfect record of 34-0.

Devonte Brown (13 points per game) will give WSU senior guard Tekele Cotton some problems both on the inside and out, shooting 49.2% from the field this season. Along with Brenton Scott (11 points per game) and Justin Gant (10 points, 4 rebounds a game), Wichita State is going to have to deal with the returning MVC Sixth Man of the Year in Khristian Smith.

The 6’6″ junior averaged more than 16 points and 6 rebounds off the bench in 12 non conference games. Since MVC play started, both of those numbers have dropped by more than half.

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Gregg Marshall and Wichita State have dealt with defending quality starters, but this will be the first true test to see how they respond to an outstanding bench player.

Smith, however, is not the only one with something to prove. Wichita State guard Fred Van Vleet will look to set the tone for his team. Coming from a triple double game against Missouri State and a career high of 27 points against Loyola, Van Vleet is playing like the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and proved that he is still one of the best point guards in College Basketball.

What would this win do for both teams?

For Indiana State, this win would help boost their standings in the Missouri Valley Conference and give them confidence heading into the Valley tournament. The Sycamores are sitting at 12-12 overall and 8-4 in the Valley.

They are a long shot from winning the Missouri Valley regular season title, but can march their way into the NCAA tournament with a Valley Tournament title in St. Louis. Winning at Wichita State would help them gain lots of confidence heading into March and would make their resume’ look more appealing to the selection committee if they get the automatic bid.

For Wichita State, every game is a win or go home situation. Northern Iowa is more than likely not going to lose a conference game before having to play at Wichita State before the conference tournament.

The Shockers are currently tied with the Panthers at 11-1 in conference play, but one loss outside UNI would mean Northern Iowa wins the Valley because of overall record.

Will it hurt their chances of making the NCAA tournament if they do lose? No. But Wichita State needs to stay on pace with Northern Iowa and learn from each conference game. As seen against Missouri State, Marshall’s strategy has worked like usual.

The Shockers are executing their offense better, finding the open man easier, and will constantly run their full court trap defense, even if they are up by 40 points. Having fantastic practices since the Northern Iowa loss, Wichita State will be ready yet again for a determined Indiana State team on Wednesday.

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