The Sunflower Basketball Guide 2018 by The Sunflower Newspaper

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| Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

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Country roads, take me home West Virginia transfer waits out NCAA eligibility

BY MARSHALL SUNNER

est Virginia transfer Teddy Allen still hasn’t received word on whether or not he will be eligible to play this season for the Shockers. In spite of that uncertainty, Allen is continually working to improve his game in practice, and during his free time. “I’m prepared for either decision,” Allen said. “Either way, I’m going to be working. There’s still so much I can do to help this team and improve

11.9 minutes per game, but averaged a team-high 23.4 points per 40 minutes of court time. He also scored in double figures 13 times, including twice during the team’s Sweet 16 run. Gregg Marshall believes Allen “has a relentless work ethic.” “We feel his experience playing in the Big 12 will be beneficial to us in practice and ultimately in games,” Marshall said. Allen has been given the opportunity to play under two great coaches: Marshall and Bob Huggins.

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“They’re both very intense in their own way,” Allen said. “I’ve had the ability to work for both of them now, and they both have molded me into a better player, even though I’m just getting started.” Allen said he’s most frustrated with the questions revolving around his release. He tries to “put it out” of his mind and spends his time in the gym, away from the questions. “It’s tough to wait,” Allen said. “It’s not as hard with my teammates, though. Working with them gets my mind off of things. “There’s just so many questions,” he said. “I don’t have the answers, so it’s just tough to answer people’s questions in that scenario.” The 6-5 forward said he has confidence in his teammates this season. He knows “this team has a lot of talent.” “It’s just a matter if everyone plays their role,” Allen said. “If everyone does their job and works hard, then this is going to be a great season.”

my game.” Allen, a former National Gatorade Player of the Year in Nebraska, announced his transfer from the Mountaineers this past spring. The staff at Wichita State has submitted a wavier to the NCAA regarding Allen’s immediate release to play. They appealed that by transferring to WSU, it would put his support system from Omaha, where his mother passed away the spring he committed to West Virginia, closer to him. Allen said his main focus is to help the team out any way he can on the road to success. “As of right now, I can’t play,” Allen said. “But that doesn’t mean that I can’t help my teammates get better. I try my best each day in practice to make them better, and myself better.” During his tenure at West Virginia, Allen appeared in 35 games as a true freshman for the Mountaineers. He averaged 7.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in

Senior Cesaria Ambrosio chases pro dream coming back from school and not doing anything,” Cesaria “Cez” Ambrosio Ambrosio said. has been in Wichita for four Her big brother started years, and has caught onto playing basketball when the lifelong problem for she was still in grade many Wichitans — there’s school, so Ambrosio not much to do here. decided to play too. AMBROSIO “Basically, I just go to “One day, I said, ‘Let me school, practice, and go just come with you,’ and I home,” Ambrosio said. “There’s started playing,” Ambrosio said. not a lot to do . . . but the people are “And since then, I’ve liked playing very kind.” basketball.” Ambrosio is a sports manageThe end goal of her basketball ment senior in her second year trajectory? Going pro. as a guard on the WSU women’s Her biggest obstacle stopping basketball team. Even when that? Her back. she was a kid growing up in “I had a bone fracture in my Switzerland, her home country, lower back,” Ambrosio said. she was bored. And boredom put “It’s been bothering me for like her on her current trajectory. four years now. And first day of “I used to be at home after practice, bam.” BY ANDREW LINNABARY

Ambrosio has been in rehab since. She missed the first game of this season, and may miss more. But even with a fractured back, Ambrosio is confident about her future in basketball. “I would like to go pro, and hopefully, if God wants it, I will go pro.” She’s also confident in this year’s squad, even though the team is chock-full of freshman and ranked 10 of 12 in the AAC. “Everyone can bring something to the team,” Ambrosio said. “And the energy — I like the energy. I think we can do good this year. “Being ranked number 10, we’re going to use that as motivation. People don’t expect us to do good. But we’re going to just go out there, play ball, and show them we’re a good team.”

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Who’s Wu?

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WuShock watches the Shockers play during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at Koch Arena on Oct. 6.

Wichita State’s mascot, WuShock, is one of a kind. WuShock, a 7-foot, muscle-bound bundle of wheat, derived from a time when players would spend their summers shocking wheat. A shock is a bundle of wheat tied together after harvest. Kansas is the country’s leading producer of wheat. In 1954, a cheerleader for the university built a prototype WuShock costume using $20 worth of supplies. His mother helped him assemble the costume out of draped cloth, a wire frame, football shoulder pads, and a Ping-Pong ball nose. In 1970, a professionally-made suit debuted. The suit has transformed several times since then. In 2001, the university considered replacing the

MOST COMMON COLLEGE MASCOTS Eagles - 43 schools Bulldogs - 42 schools Tigers - 39 schools Wildcats - 33 schools

WuShock character with a strong farmer. The idea was quickly shot down. WuShock, sometimes known as Wu, was named after the university’s initials, Wichita University. Last year, WuaShock won the title of best mascot in America via a fan vote on CollegeCourtReport.com.

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Sunrise freshmen share bond that runs deeper than basketball BY MATTHEW KELLY

Growing up in Louisville, freshman Chance Moore is used to basketball competing with football for center stage. The lack of a football program is one thing that drew Moore to Wichita State. The Sunrise Christian Academy product said he loves how the WSU community embraces basketball. “I came here because the coaching staff and the community too.” Moore said. “I like how the community supports the basketball team. “Wichita State basketball is the biggest thing about Wichita.” Eight freshmen fill out WSU’s roster this season.

“WHEN I’M HAVING FAMILY ISSUES OR NEED A SHOULDER TO FALL ON OR SOMEBODY TO TALK TO, I CAN TALK TO ISAIAH BECAUSE HE’S A GOOD FRIEND AND WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT.”

CHANCE MOORE “I’ve played on some teams that are young and dumb and don’t like, do things that you should do if you’re a veteran team,” Moore said. “We need to just be veterans as soon as possible.” Senior Markis McDuffie said Moore is working hard in practice to prepare himself for basketball at a higher level. “He’s working. He’s getting better just like all these other freshman right now — trying to get at that level,” McDuffie said. “He’s still trying to realize what college basketball is all about and that’s what we’re doing every day at practice.” Moore said he hopes to bring on-court intensity and offensive firepower to the team. “The thing I think I can do to help the team the most is like, my scoring and my energy on the court,” Moore said. “Just being a dog, you know what I’m saying?” Moore still has plenty to learn about the WSU system, but he’s not alone. He said he leans heavily on a special bond with fellow freshman Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, his housemate

from Sunrise, who made the leap to WSU alongside him. “It’s a great feeling just because not everybody gets this when they come to college — jumps into college and has a familiar face they know,” Moore said. Bear-Chandler said he and Moore have “as much chemistry as teammates can achieve.” “Me and him, we go way back,” Bear-Chandler said. “Just me and him being a duo together and having this chemistry, I think we’re going to succeed this year.” Moore said his friendship with Bear-Chandler has helped him through tough times as he adjusts to college. “When I’m having family issues or need a shoulder to fall on or somebody to talk to, I can talk to Isaiah because he’s a good friend and we’ve been through a lot since Sunrise, so I think that’s helped me adjust here.” The Sunrise products have already faced their share of adversity. Chandler missed last month’s intersquad scrimmage due to a concussion. Moore revealed he gave Chandler the concussion while the two were playing one-on-one. “We were playing one-on-one in the small gym and we headbutted,” Moore said. He said he helped Chandler stay focused after the injury until he was cleared to play. “Being there for him — for being the one who gave him the concussion on accident, just trying to support him and tell him he has to stay focused and do everything off the court that Coach (Gregg Marshall) isn’t seeing so when he gets back on the court, he’s going to be in the right place.” Moore said Bear-Chandler is poised to be a big contributor for WSU’s young team. “Poor Bear’s a real skilled big man, so he can help us a lot, so trying to keep him on the right path is a biggie for us,” Moore said. WSU returns just four scholarship players from last season. Moore said it’s up to the newcomers to mature into leaders. “Any freshman could be a leader on this team,” Moore said. “All of us have leadership. We’ve always been the best players on our team, so we know what it takes to be a leader.”

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Wichita State freshman Chance Moore drives past Catawba defenders Tuesday during the exhibition game at Koch Arena.

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Wichita State players celebrate on the sideline during a conference game last season at Koch Arena.

Shocker women look to avenge 81-point loss when UConn comes to town BY MATTHEW KELLY

Head Coach Keitha Adams remembers well what happened when the Shocker women hit the road to last season to face off against No. 1 UConn. “It was a long-ass day,” Adams said. After sustaining a brutal, 81-point loss — the second-largest margin the history of Division-I NCAA women’s basketball — the team bus was involved in an ice-induced accident on the way back from the airport. In February, Wichita State will have a shot at redemption when they welcome Coach Geno Auriemma and the Huskies to Koch Arena.

Freshman Trajata Colbert said she expects to be somewhat starstruck when she steps on the court against UConn. “I’ve been watching them since I was very small — watching them win championships,” Colbert said. Under Auriemma, UConn has won 11 national championships. “Of course it may affect the way I play a little bit, but I feel like, just step up to the plate and take the challenge,” Colbert said. Adams said the rematch is anything but her top priority right now. “With us being so young, that’s the farthest thing from my mind,” Adams said. “We’ve got to get better in these

next two months to get prepared for conference play. I’m not even thinking about those guys right now.” Adams said she will treat UConn the same as any other opponent. “We approach every game the same way,” Adams said. “Fear no one, respect everyone.” Historically, the women’s basketball program has struggled to pack Koch Arena with fans like the Shocker men. Adams said the fanfare of UConn’s visit could generate excitement around her team. “It’s a great opportunity to see a legendary program and a phenomenal coach, and it will be an opportunity to get people in here who maybe haven’t been here

before, so I think that’s good for the game,” Adams said. Junior Raven Prince said she has high hopes for fan support this year. “I think it will raise our profile because we need a lot of fans to come out and support us,” Prince said. “We had a good fan base last year, but I think the way we played last year is going to create us more fan base.” The Huskies may be good for a one-time attendance boost, but Adams said she has a long-term goal for her team’s support. “We have a goal that we want to sell out Koch Arena one day, but you know, I want to sell it out for Wichita State women’s basketball.”

Timeline of WSU women’s basketball BY MARSHALL SUNNER

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Wichita State’s Alyssia Faye dribbles during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at Koch Arena on Oct. 6.

Carla Bremaud hands the ball over during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Tuesday.

Childhood rivals Bremaud, Faye now teammates BY KYLIE CAMERON

Growing up in France, freshman guard Carla Bremaud and sophomore forward Alyssia Faye played against each other. Now, the two are teammates on the Wichita State women’s basketball team. Bremaud, a native of Angers, and Faye, a native of Valence, were recruited by the same person to play basketball in the United States before both ultimately ending up as Shockers. “I figured it was good to come here because Alyssia was here,” Bremaud said regarding her

decision to choose WSU over other schools. “We’re really good friends,” Faye said. Despite having played against each other before, Bremaud and Faye agreed they have good chemistry as teammates. “We can find each other,” Bremaud said. “We don’t play the same way in France from U.S., but when you’re on the court together, we can find each other very easy.” “I feel like we have the same background, so we can find each other,” Faye chimed in during a joint interview with The Sunflower.

Head Women’s Basketball Coach Keitha Adams, now in her second season, said she was attracted to Bremaud and Faye because they filled in key holes in her roster. “We brought Alyssia in because we felt like we needed to have some depth for last year,” Adams said. “Carla, obviously, we like her athleticism and shooting ability and think she’s got a bright future.” The duo from France is now living out the dream of most European kids who play basketball. “When you’re a kid playing basketball in Europe, your dream is

to play in the U.S.,” Bremaud said. “[After college], the best would be the WNBA, but I would probably go back to Europe because you have nothing after college in the U.S. but you have the professional league in Europe.” Faye echoed that sentiment, but said if she had good job opportunities in the States after college, she would step away from basketball. For now, though, the two are proud to represent the Shockers. “Both of them are very bright kids,” Adams said. “Good students, hard workers — they’re going to represent us very well.”

2012-2013: Wichita State makes their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance with Head Coach Jody Adams at the helm. The 14-seed Shockers lost 71-45 in the first round against Texas A&M. WSU won the Missouri Valley regular-season title and the conference tournament. 2013-2014: The Shockers march into their second straight NCAA Tournament with a 28-7 record. WSU lost in the first round to Penn State 62-56. WSU won the MVC regular season title and conference tournament for the second year in a row. 2014-2015: Adams’ squad makes their third straight tournament appearance after going 29-5 in the regular season. The team’s 29 wins set a school record. For the third straight year, WSU wins the regular season MVC title and tournament championship. The Shockers fall in the first round to California 78-66. After the season, four WSU players decide to leave program for undisclosed reasons. 2015-2016: WSU takes a huge step backwards — recording just eight wins during the season. Going into the MVC tournament, the Shockers were 8-21. They finished the season at 8-22. This was Jody Adams last full year as head coach. 2016-2017: Jody Adams is let go by WSU midway through the season. Adams signs a non-disclosure agreement for $250,00 to resign. The team is taken over by interim Head Coach Linda Hargrove. The Shockers finish the season with a 15-16 record and lose in the second round of the MVC tournament to Drake. 2017-2018: Wichita State hires former UTEP Head Coach Keitha Adams. The year also marks the first in the American Athletic Conference. The Shockers, projected to take 10th in their inaugural season, surprise many on the way to a fifth-place finish. WSU finishes the season with a 14-17 record, going 9-7 in conference play. WSU is upset in the first round of the conference tournament — 72-59 to Temple. 2018-2019: This is Keitha Adams’ second season in Wichita. WSU’s roster contains eight true freshmen, and the average player age is 19.2. The Shockers rank as the fifth-youngest team in the country. Adams is two wins shy of 300 career victories.

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Keitha Adams sells players on WSU’s tradition, potential

BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

or second-year Head Coach Keitha Adams recruiting is a fun challenge. This offseason, Adams had to replace 10 players from last year’s group. Selling players on Wichita State means highlighting the bright spots of all WSU programs, not just women’s basketball. “Wichita State is a great school,” Adams said. “WSU is a great basketball school. We have great athletics here and great tradition here.” Adams sells players on the potential of her program by showcasing the successes of WSU’s softball and volleyball programs, both of which have had their share of accomplishments in recent years. Adams packages those components with WSU’s “outstanding” facilities and the high-level competition in the American Athletic Conference. Adams recruits a blend of

junior college transfers, high school stars, and international players. She uses Assistant Head Coach Ewa Laskowska’s European connection to recruit players outside of the United States. Laskowska helped land players Natalia Ryng from Poland, Carla Bremaud from France, and Seraphine Bastin from Belgium. WSU has 11 newcomers to the team this year and freshman Asia Henderson, who took a redshirt season last year. WSU is one of the youngest teams in the American Athletic Conference, and among the youngest in the country. Adams said practices are “like a box of chocolates — you don’t know what you’re going to get.” The Shockers placed fifth in the AAC last season, and were picked by conference coaches to finish tenth out of 12 teams in the AAC’s preseason poll.

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Wichita State’s Jada Peacock makes a pass to her teammate during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at Koch Arena on Oct. 6.

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Raised by deaf parents, Lozada-Cabbage sees communication as key BY MARSHALL SUNNER

abrina Lozada-Cabbage grew up just like any other child — with a few exceptions. Her parents were both born deaf. “Sign language was my first language,” Lozada-Cabbage said. “I first started signing when I was about six months old.” Lozada-Cabbage said she doesn’t feel like she grew up any differently than she would have without her parents being deaf. “Growing up with deaf parents was normal to me,” LozadaCabbage said. “I really don’t think it was too much different than living in a normal household.” The only differences in the household revolved around noise components. “For our doorbell, we had a light go off, and when we were babies, our baby monitors would have lights flash on them when we would

“WITH SO MANY NEW GIRLS, COMMUNICATION IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US.” SABRINA LOZADA-CABBAGE start to cry,” Lozada-Cabbage said. “It was just a little different, but not too much different than everyone else.” Lozada-Cabbage has grown as a vocal communicator since arriving at Wichita State, but she said she feels like “there’s always room to improve” on her communication skills. “I try to use my mouth more each day to communicate,” Lozada-Cabbage said. “It’s still something I need to work on coming into this season.”

Lozada-Cabbage is one of two seniors on this year’s WSU roster. The team brings in eight true freshmen and is the fifth youngest squad in the nation behind SMU, UMBC, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech. Lozada-Cabbage said she feels communication will be a key for this year’s team. “With so many new girls, communication is going to be extremely important for us,” Lozada-Cabbage said. “I expect us to get better every single day with communication and skills.” The Shockers were picked tenth at the American Athletic Conference media day. LozadaCabbage said that serves as motivation to prove people wrong. “We’ve been using that as motivation,” Lozada-Cabbage said. “We don’t have much expected of us, so we will go out there every single day and getter better, all while turning some heads.”

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Senior forward Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage is introduced at the pep rally on Oct. 28. Lozada-Cabbage is one of two seniors on the women’s basketball team.

High school dropout turned junior college standout Ricky Torres prepares to lead WSU BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

icky Torres didn’t take the typical route to Division-I basketball. Torres, a junior college transfer who will start at point guard for Wichita State this season, didn’t play high school basketball. “There was a bunch of family-related things going on,” Torres said. His mother was struggling with a permanent disability, his father was deported out of the country, and he was learning to be a father himself at just 18. “Things happen,” Torres said. “So I had to take a different route.” Torres, 22, dropped out of high school his sophomore year. “I knew that no matter what, I had to get through high school,” Torres said. “I didn’t know when it would happen. I knew I had to start working, get things done, and eventually I’d go back. “I woke up one day and said, ‘I have to do something.’” While Torres completed work for his GED, basketball was his sanctuary from hardship. “If there was ever a lot going on in my life, I’d go get in the gym,” Torres said. “When I’m on the court, I feel nothing else.” ROCK BOTTOM

Standing on the court of Charles Koch Arena, a stadium that seats 10,000, is a surreal feeling for Torres. He’s never played in front of a crowd of more than a couple thousand people. “A lot of people would kill to be in the spot I’m in right now,” Torres said. Torres can’t say that others have often been envious of his life. Many were quick to count him out. While other young players were competing on AAU circuits and preparing for college tryouts, Torres was facing personal battles. His family, Torres said, all experienced their own ups and downs. “We’ve all hit our rock bottoms,” Torres said. Rock bottom is motivation, Torres said. Together, strong family ties pulled Torres and his family through the adversity. “We weren’t always blessed and fortunate with money and things like that, but one thing that we’ve always had is a strong bond in our family,” Torres said. “If you have that, that’s all you need.” ADRIEL

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Junior Ricky Torres dribbles baseline in the Shockers’ exhibition game against Division-II Catawba. Torres is often praised by Head Coach Gregg Marshall for his

Torres has NBA aspirations. When you play at the highest level of Division-I basketball, such aspirations are customary, Torres said. “I knew that I had a bright future,” Torres said. “I just had to go out and make it happen.” Torres has watched film of Fred VanVleet, the four-year WSU standout turned NBA

sixth-man of the year finalist. Torres fashioned his game after VanVleet’s craftiness, Russell Westbrook’s competitiveness, Dwyane Wade’s transition game, and Chris Paul’s ball-handling, he said. Dreams of hitting the big stage keep Torres sacrificing his body and competing for loose balls in practice. “The days that you don’t want to work, those have to be the days that you work your hardest,” Torres said. Giving up isn’t an option. “I don’t have a reason to stop,” Torres said, reflecting on his responsibilities to his 4-year-old son, Adriel. Torres became a father at 18. “Every day, somebody will wake up and say ‘I don’t feel like doing this.’ I can’t do that,” Torres said. “If I don’t do this now, I’ll never be able to feed him. “If I quit now, I let him down. I can’t do that.” If ever he needs a reminder to keep pushing, Torres has his son’s name tattooed on his forearm. Adriel lives with his mother in Texas. Torres said he expects his son to attend a few games this season. Adriel is learning the basics of dribbling, but, like his dad, he has a natural liking for football. He started flag football earlier this fall. Torres played competitive football growing up. He could burn safeties at the slot wide receiver position with his crafty footwork. “As long as it’s up in the air, I’m going to get it,” Torres said. Aspects of his football past have translated to the court. Lining up in the free safety position, “you have to see the game and read what’s going on and react immediately.” Football was Torres’s first love, but basketball wasn’t far behind. ‘MAYBE I CAN DO SOMETHING WITH THIS’

Torres hasn’t always “chased the Division-I dream.” In fact, it wasn’t until Torres was a sophomore in high school that he started playing basketball. Having no high school experience, Torres played AAU basketball for two seasons — that led him to Chris Popp at Missouri State-West Plains, a two-year school about five hours from Wichita. By his sophomore year, Torres was a known name for recruiters all over the country. By the midpoint of his sophomore year at West Plains, Torres had offers from nearly 40 D-I schools. WSU was a late player in Torres’ recruitment. “I wasn’t chasing the Division-I dream when I first started, but eventually, I got better and I thought maybe I could do something with this,” Torres said. As a sophomore at West Plains, Torres was named a junior college All-American — averaging 17

“WE WEREN’T ALWAYS BLESSED AND FORTUNATE WITH MONEY AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT ONE THING THAT WE’VE ALWAYS HAD IS A STRONG BOND IN OUR FAMILY. IF YOU HAVE THAT, THAT’S ALL YOU NEED.” RICKY TORRES points and eight assists per game, the second-most in the nation for assists. “Generally, junior college players come in with a year or two more of physical and mental maturity. Ricky is a mature guy,” WSU Head Coach Gregg Marshall said. “He’s seen and done a lot in his life, and he’s not one of these wet-behind-the-ears freshmen.” Torres is a 22-year-old veteran among a crowded class of freshmen and transfers. “He’s got a moxie about him,” Marshall said. “His mental approach to the game is the best thing he is doing now.” Senior Samajae Haynes-Jones has seen Torres quickly emerge as a vocal leader for the team who “gets everybody involved.” “He’s learning just like everybody else,” Haynes-Jones said, “But him being a junior with two years of college ball, he comes in here being more vocal than anybody.” Freshman guard Erik Stevenson described Torres as a “pick-and-roll maestro.” “He’s a smooth criminal,” Stevenson said. Torres knows Marshall’s expectations at point guard, and recognizes that the challenge is far greater than any point guard in recent WSU history. WSU returns just 11 percent of their minutes from a season ago. They’re also one of just seven teams to have made the NCAA Tournament for the last seven consecutive seasons — a streak Torres and the rest of the team wants to keep going. WSU was picked eighth of 12 teams in the American Athletic Conference in a preseason AAC coaches’ poll. “We haven’t played one game yet and we’re picked eight,” Torres said. “I don’t care about preseason rankings. They haven’t seen a team like this. “We want to be the underdog. We want teams to count us out.” The role of the underdog isn’t anything atypical for the high school dropout turned junior college standout. “The lights go on, I show up,” Torres said.

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#LongLiveMalcolm

Dexter Dennis honors his late teammate BY MARSHALL SUNNER

exter Dennis’s roommate could have been the next breakout star. He earned scholarship offers from Chattanooga, Eastern Michigan, and IUPUI before starting his post-grad season at Believe Prep Academy in Tennessee and was gathering interest from more schools. Those who worked and played with Malcolm Nicholas knew he had potential to be a collegiate basketball player. “We were really, really close,” said Dennis, a Wichita State freshman. “Malcolm was like a brother to me. We stayed in a townhouse for six months. It was him, me, and one of our big men.” Dennis said he and Nicholas were “inseparable.” Nicholas started to get offers before Dennis did. Whenever a coach would go after Nicholas, he’d throw in Dennis’s name as well. He would always encourage Dennis by telling him that his offers would come. “He would tell the coaches recruiting him about me,” Dennis said. “We really wanted to go to the same school.” Nicholas did not attend Believe Prep’s tournament trip to Baltimore. Instead, he went home to visit family in Miami.

“SINCE HE CAN’T PLAY ANYMORE, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO WORK THAT MUCH HARDER.” DEXTER DENNIS On Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, Malcolm Nicholas was shot dead in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. He was 19 years old. “It hit me hard,” Dennis said. “Being with someone every day for that long, you build a connection.” Nicholas’s passing hit hard in the city of Miami as well. Former Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem was among those in the broader Miami community who offered their condolences to Nicholas’s family. He called him a, “receptive, positive, and well-mannered” kid. Dennis was not informed of his teammate’s passing immediately. He found out through a social media post from one of Nicholas high school teammates. He didn’t fully believe it. “He went home to visit his family for a couple days,” Dennis said. “We were on the bus coming home and I saw one of his former teammates post it on Instagram. I was in disbelief.” The young guard’s first reaction was to call Nicholas to see if the news was true. There was never an answer on the other end of the line. “I called him a few times

and he didn’t answer,” Dennis said. “I was speechless.” On the same bus ride back to Believe Prep, Head Coach Tyson Waterman received a phone call from Nicholas's father, confirming the news. Waterman called Nicholas, “a kid you want to be the face of your franchise.” Dennis wore the number five during his post-graduate season while Nicholas wore number zero. After Dennis’s commitment to WSU in April, he knew what number he wanted to wear. “I chose number zero for him,” Dennis said. “I would like to carry on what he can’t do.” Dennis said he feels like it’s his duty to work and play hard for his fallen teammate. “He was a very good person and very talented basketball-wise,” Dennis said. “Since he can’t play anymore, I feel like I have to work that much harder since he can’t.” Nicholas’s passing will never leave Dennis’s mind. On almost every social media post, Dennis captions it with a simple, but meaningful hashtag: #LongLiveMalcolm. “Ever since that day, I vowed to make sure I always play for him,” Dennis said. His teammate’s tragic death isn’t the only hardship Dennis has been through in his young life. Growing up, and until eighth grade, Dennis was a left-handed shooter. During P.E. class in eighth grade, he rose up for an off-the-backboard dunk. SEE DENNIS PAGE 19

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Wichita State’s Dexter Dennis takes a shot during their exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena.

utep to wsu

Asia Henderson follows Keitha Adams to Wichita State BY MARSHALL SUNNER

Asia Henderson didn’t originally plan to attend Wichita State. Henderson, a redshirt freshman, was fully committed to UTEP going into her freshman year — in no small part because of Keitha Adams, then UTEP head coach. Henderson was attached to the coaching staff and was “excited to get started” there. That’s when Adams decided to take the head coach vacancy at Wichita State. Henderson immediately knew she would follow Adams to WSU. “I was nervous about getting an entirely new coaching staff,” Henderson said. “I was attached to them, and even though I hadn’t started yet, I just felt like I had to go with her.” Henderson said Adams is trying to morph her into a big inside presence for the future. “She’s trying to get me better with all the typical big girl stuff,” Henderson said. “Whether that’s finishing on the inside or boxing out and getting rebounds — all the basic post play.” Henderson said she’s starting to feel a lot more comfortable on the floor. She “loves that everyone’s knew” because “it will help with chemistry down the road.” “It has really forced me to step out of my comfort zone,” Henderson said. “I feel a lot more comfortable with my teammates. Everyone’s new, but we still mesh really well together.” Henderson said the team is becoming very disciplined going into the season. She praised Adams’ “scare tactics.” “Her scare tactics work for sure,” Henderson said. “She has a fresh group coming in, so everyone has to listen to her. Once we get on the same page as Coach, we will be like a conveyer belt — everything will be flowing.” Henderson said Adams unique way of talking endears her to the team.

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Asia Henderson goes up for a basket during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at Koch Arena on Oct. 6.

“She uses a lot of quotes,” Henderson said. “They’re like country quotes, too. My personal favorite is, ‘faster than a cat on a hot tin roof.’ She says crazy stuff all of the time, like bird-dog, and a bunch of country stuff. It’s great.” Henderson said she’s confident Adams can raise the profile of women’s basketball at WSU. “She’s a marketing machine,” Henderson said. “She’s going to get more fans in here for our games, and with a new group, we can prove people wrong.” One day, Henderson hopes women’s basketball at Wichita State can get to where the men’s program is at. “Everything shuts down for men’s games,” Henderson said. “Our boys are phenomenal. I give them credit, but I hope one day, we can get there where we can get study halls shut down and our parking lots filled.”

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EXHIBITION EXCLAMATION

Shocker men, women picked up exhibition victories last week at Koch Arena

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Above, Wichita State’s Erik Stevenson cheers on his teammates during their exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena. WSU won 75-64. Left, Senior Markis McDuffie drives to the basket against Catawba. Middle, Freshman Jaida Hampton dribbles towards the goal during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State Thursday at Koch Arena. WSU won 62-49.

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ELLA DOMINGUEZ/THE SUNFLOWER

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ELLA DOMINGUEZ/THE SUNFLOWER

Upper right, Wichita State’s Erik Stevenson goes up for a layup against Catawba. Above, Shyia Smith watces the action during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State. Left, Freshman Morris Udeze goes up for a basket against Catawba.

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Above left, Senior Samajae Haynes-Jones takes a wide open shot during their exhibition game against Catawba. Above, A Wichita State cheerleaders lines up at the start of the Black and Yellow Scrimmage Oct. 6 at Koch Aren.

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

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Around the American

Inside Scoop

What’s the scoop on the American? The Sunflower asked sports editors from newspapers around the league what to expect from their teams this season. MATT HUFFMON // SPORTS EDITOR

The News Record // University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team lost three crucial members from the 2017-18 squad that won the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championship. With Gary Clark (Houston Rockets), Kyle Washington (playing overseas in Turkey) and Jacob Evans III (Golden State Warriors) gone, head coach Mick Cronin intends to utilize more speed than height. I expect senior point guards Cane Broome and Justin Jenifer to be more vocal leaders and play less hesitant on the offensive end. Junior wing Jarron Cumberland will have an expanded ball-handler role with Evans’ departure. Like recent UC teams, this season’s success will depend on the contribution from each of the upperclassmen, not a single individual.

Senior Corey Davis Jr. was one of the best three point shooters in the conference last season and if anyone is going to step up and replace the production that Gray had, it will be him. As far as new players, freshman Nate Hinton is a four star shooting guard and could be this year’s Armoni Brooks, who was the AAC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore.

JOSHUA A. VINSON // SPORTS EDITOR

The Daily Helmsman // University of Memphis

bring in high-level recruits that are expected to have an immediate impact on the court. Among those players, guard Alex Lomax, who competed with Team USA in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this summer is someone who every team in the AAC should have on their scouting report. Lomax understands and knows Hardaway’s system because he played under the hall of fame coach at neighboring East High School, where he went

Memphis basketball parted ways with Tubby Smith and brought in Tiger legend Penny Hardaway to be the head coach of the program. Since his hiring, he has been able to

to the state championship and won three times. Expect Memphis to play fast and up-tempo this season. Guys such as Antwann Jones and Isaiah Maurice will make opponents pay in fast break situations. Additionally, Mike Parks Jr. has the potential to own the paint. Hardaway and his Tigers were slighted when a CBS Poll ranked them finishing near the bottom of the conference. The question will be can this star-studded coaching staff lead this young team to victories and the program back to respectability.

SAM NEWLON // SPORTS EDITOR

The Oracle // University of Southern Florida

USF men’s basketball has gone through a complete overhaul — nobody who is involved with the program, staff or player, was at USF 16 months ago. Coach Brian Gregory enters his second season at the helm of the floundering Bulls, who finished dead last in the AAC. With the departure of graduate transfers Stephan Jiggetts and Payton Banks, who led the team in scoring, sophomore David Collins is poised to take on a leadership role for the Bulls. Collins was third on the team in scoring, averaging 10 points per game. He was also named to the AAC AllRookie team as a freshman last season.

MIKE LOGAN // SPORTS EDITOR

The Daily Campus // University of Connecticut

The Huskies should be and will be a better team than they were last season. Out is Kevin Ollie and in is Danny Hurley, who has established himself as one of those coaches that can rebuild a program. However, instead of rebuilding a program like URI, he is rebuilding a storied program in UConn. I expect them to be a decent team, hovering a tad over .500. They will probably finish fifth or sixth in The American, but they will be so much more fun to watch than last season. This team will play with heart, passion and desire. They just have to figure out a way to translate that into wins. I fully expect senior Jalen Adams, junior Christian Vital and redshirt freshman Sid Wilson to have major success this season.

ANDRES CHIO // SPORTS EDITOR

The Cougar // University of Houston

Houston’s team lost two key players in the offseason when Devin Davis and Rob Gray graduated. The expectations are not as high as last season because of those losses, but fans still expect the team to challenge for the American Athletic Conference title and finish among the top four.

Wichita State’s Markis Mcduffie

Shockers will sport Under Armour uniforms this season

Wichita State switched to Under Armour this year for all of their uniforms.

KENZIE BORLAND/THE SUNFLOWER

WSU’s men’s and women’s teams debuted their uniforms at Media Day. BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

KENZIE BORLAND/THE SUNFLOWER

Starting this year, the Wichita State basketball teams will no longer sport Nike uniforms. WSU switched from Nike to a contract with Under Armour in July 2017. Due to contract stipulations, not all of WSU’s 15 varsity sports transitioned to Under Armour

apparel last year. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will both debut new Under Armour uniforms this season. WSU had agreements with Jordan Brand prior to signing an agreement with Nike. Under Armour has partnered with more than 15 Division-I schools nationwide.

10 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

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Jamarius Burton credits his game to his mother BY AUDREY KORTE

Freshman guard Jamarius Burton is referred to by his teammates as “Grandpa.” “He has a lot of grandpa traits,” Wichita State freshman Chance Moore said. “Jamarius is granddad because all the time, we’ll be in the locker room and we’ll be like, ‘You trying to have open gym today?’ and Jamarius will be like, ‘My knees are already a 10. I’m going to have to go home and take a nap,” Moore said. Burton, who tore his ACL in high school, will spend extra time after practice putting oitment on his knees and stretching, Moore said. Burton comes from an athletic family. His mother played college basketball at Alabama A&M, and has two older sisters also played in college. His two aunts also played college basketball. It was the women in his life who taught him to how to play. His mother was either a coach or a referee. She didn’t let him waste time on the court. She’d have him do drills on the sidelines while his sisters played. “I didn’t like all of it, of course,” Burton said of his mother’s push. “It was all in my best benefit to get better as a player.” He was in the YMCA with his mother “night-in and night-out.” She was always teaching. Burton said he learned the game by asking his sisters questions. “They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders since I started playing,” Burton said. Burton, a freshman from Charlotte, North

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Freshman Jamarius Burton drives down the court during the exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena.

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Carolina, said he wants to set an example for younger guys in his home state. “I feel like me being here inspires the younger kids that went to my high school and watched my bounce back from my ACL,” Burton said. “Those kids who have seen me are all inspired by my ability to bounce back.” Burton said he is meshing well with his freshmen counterparts. The team has nine new scholarship players this season. “These guys are like my brothers now,” he said. “Since my first week here, I’ve been able to connect. It’s been good growing and learning together.” Gregg Marshall has praised Burton for his mature presence on the court. “He’s got a very mature way about him, and not just in his basketball game,” Marshall said. “He’s just really mature and an old soul. He’s really methodical, doesn’t get sped up, and handles situations well. “He’s one of few.”

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Quick Takeaways from This Year’s Shocker Rotation BY MARSHALL SUNNER AND EVAN PFLUGRADT

he Shockers replaced nine of 13 scholarship players this offseason, and the rotation going forward is entirely experimental while the newcomers get their footing. The Sunflower looks at some storylines that might be in play as the team regroups and rebuilds.

Maximum occupancy at forward Gregg Marshall has plenty of lineup options with tons of different players at the forward position, but that’s because of the lack of depth at the position.

Temple

3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6 Televised on ESPNEWS Cincinnati emerged as the leading rivalry with the Shockers last season, but Temple trailed closely behind in three testy games with the Owls last year. This game is important because it is the conference home-opener, and also the last season for Temple Head Coach Fran Dunphy, who announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Central Florida

9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 Televised on CBS Sports Network Circle this game based solely on the fact that UCF 7-foot6 center Tacko Fall, the tallest player in competitive basketball, will possibly play at Koch Arena. Fall was out with a shoulder injury when WSU hosted the Knights last season. The Knights went 9-9 in the conference last season, but all-conference guard B.J. Taylor missed the first half of the season with a foot injury and Tacko Fall played just 16 games. Guard Aubrey Dawkins missed the entire season. The trio rarely appeared on the floor together. Despite all of that, WSU needed overtime to take down the Knights at UCF.

Rod Brown’s role Going into his freshman season, Shocker fans were stoked to get a look at Rod Brown. Brown was seen as possibly the next big thing to come through the doors of Koch Arena. However, Brown was undersized for his position. During his redshirt season, Brown was only 190 pounds. Over the summer, he packed on 15 pounds of muscle, fitting him for the AAC level competition. Brown’s role this year will be to play good defense and run the court in transition. That means he’ll have to sacrifice his urge to score the ball consistently. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, he has the natural build to defend the wing and the interior, as well as good speed to run and finish the break. Brown’s a natural small forward, but don’t be surprised to see him playing the four at some point this season. Playing time may be somewhat limited, as he finds himself behind Markis McDuffie on the depth chart. Brown’s job this season is to fill in as a defensive role player.

TOP 4 HOME GAMES

Cincinnati

1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 Televised on CBS

SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Ricky Torres (left), Dexter Dennis (top), Erik Stevenson (right), and Morris Udeze (front) pose.

Another issue that presents itself is the fact that Teddy Allen hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA. Without his size, the team just gets smaller. A season ago, Marshall rarely placed McDuffie at the four position. This season, McDuffie has already shown that can and will play the four. Dexter Dennis, a two-guard, started at the forward position in the exhibition, showing that this WSU team will be playing a lot of small ball this season. It’ll be interesting to see what Marshall can do with the limited size at the forward position, and expect some twoguards to even see some time at forward this season.

Jamarius Burton poses lineup problems

Erik Stevenson will be utilized for defense

Jamarius Burton has shown that he deserves a role in the starting rotation, thanks to his versatility on offense and tenacity on defense. But where does Burton fit in? He’s been in the mix with Samajae Haynes-Jones and Ricky Torres, but Burton’s best-showcased his abilities when he’s in control of the offense. Burton could pose a problem for Gregg Marshall when he cuts the rotation from 10 players down to eight or less. Will Marshall gamble on the freshman or opt to trust the experience of Haynes-Jones and Torres in crunch time?

Erik Stevenson is a “hardnosed” player, according to Gregg Marshall. Stevenson is a step ahead of his teammates on defense, and his tenacity on both ends of the floor should translate well to Division-I basketball. Don’t expect to see him in the starting lineup, though, as WSU is loaded with options in the backcourt. In situations when shots aren’t falling, Stevenson will likely get minutes. In high school, Stevenson had 40point games. If his shot’s falling, he could be more than just a role player.

CBS will broadcast again the game that was the AAC’s highest-rated regular season broadcast of all time. Cincinnati and WSU were powerhouse programs last year. The regular-season conference title came down to a single point.

Memphis

7 p.m Saturday, Feb. 23 Televised on ESPN2 Gregg Marshall had his best recruiting class of his career last year. That was before Penny Hardaway was hired as the head coach at Memphis, and four-star recruit Alex Lomax, who then had verbally committed to the Shockers, decommitted to join Hardaway in Memphis. Hardaway brings with him one of the strongest recruiting classes the Tigers have had since John Calipari coached at the program. Lomax’s presence alone should make Memphis a budding rivalry for the Shockers this season.

Erik Stevenson is a ‘Ron Baker type’ with brash competitiveness to match BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

Erik Stevenson is on a mission to become Wichita State’s next Ron Baker. “That’s why I was brought here,” Stevenson said. WSU Head Coach Gregg Marshall saw something in Stevenson’s game — something that reminded him of a budding freshman star quick to turn All-American. Marshall has described Stevenson as “a Ron Baker type.” “He’s a hard-nosed player with skills to match,” Marshall said. Stevenson, a 6-4 shooting guard from Lacey, Washington, won a 3A state title for Timberline High School, averaging just shy of 30 points per game in the state tournament. There, he broke six modern tournament records, including field goals made (43) and points scored (118). Stevenson’s talent and sometimes brash competitiveness polarized recruiters. He drew offers from 17 major Division I programs. In one visit to WSU, Marshall told Stevenson he was already a better athlete than Baker was as a freshman. What sold Stevenson was

Marshall’s promise that he could leave WSU a better product than Baker. “I’ve got work to get to that level,” Stevenson said. “[Baker] is a knock-down shooter and a high-energy guy, who displays intensity on both ends. He does all the little things right. “I’m a high-intensity guy, and I’ve got the toughness to match.” Baker was a five-year player for the Shockers who eclipsed success at the turn of the program. His acheivments included a Final Four his freshman season and a 35-1 season as a sophomore. Pressure isn’t something Stevenson puts a lot of stock into. As a four-year starter for Timberline High School, Stevenson became accustomed to opposing fans hurling “overrated” chants at him. “I was raised to be confident in myself,” Stevenson said. “Ever since I started being more successful at the game, that built confidence of what I can do.” Stevenson would hear the noise and respond with a cut to the basket or a defensive stop. SEE STEVENSON PAGE 17

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Erik Stevenson makes a pass during the Black and Yellow Scrimmage at Koch Arena on Tuesday.

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12 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

men’s basketball roster

DEXTER DENNIS

MARKIS MCDUFFIE

Freshman Baker, La. 6-5

ERIK STEVENSON

CHANCE MOORE

Assistant Coach

DAWNYEL LIAR

Freshman Arlington, Tex. 5-8

Freshman Lansing, Mich. 5-10

Assistant Coach

Senior Santa Fe, N.M. 6-2

ALYSSIA FAYE

Assistant Head Coach

ASIA HENDERSON

Freshman Idabel, Okla. 5-11

EWA LASKOWSKA

Freshman Rochelle, Ga. 6-2

SHYIA SMITH

Senior Fully, Switzerland 6-0

TRAJATA COLBERT

Freshman Dinant, Belgium 5-8

CESARIA AMBROSIO

Head Coach

Freshman Angers, France 5-11

SERAPHINE BASTIN

Sophomore Valence, France 6-2

SABRINA LOZADA-CABBAGE CARLA BREMAUD

KEITHA ADAMS

Freshman Omaha, Neb. 6-9

Junior Kansas City, Mo. 5-11

ISAIAH POOR BEAR-CHANDLER

Assistant Coach

Junior Wichita Falls, Tex. 5-5

MAYA BREWER

TYSON WATERMAN

ASHLEY REID

Freshman Gyynia, Poland 5-10

Junior Barranquilla, Colombia 6-11

JAIDA HAMPTON

LOU GUDINO

NATALIA RYNG

Freshman Los Angeles, Calif. 5-8

JAIME ECHENIQUE

Sophomore Wichita, Kan. 6-0

Sophomore Helsingor, Denmark 7-0

Redshirt Freshman Cordova, Tenn. 6-6

BRYCAN BUSH

ASBJØRN MIDTGAARD

ROD BROWN

Redshirt Freshman Hope Mills, N.C. 6-3

JEFF OSTERMAN Assistant Coach

KELLI BAGLEY

Assistant Coach

women’s basketball roster

JADA PEACOCK

Freshman St. Francis, Kan. 6-2

ISAAC BROWN

Sophomore Wichita, Kan. 6-2

TATE BUSSE

Sophomore Mesa, Ariz. 6-5

Senior Wichita, Kan. 6-0

JACOB HERRS

Freshman Houston, Tex. 6-8

TEDDY ALLEN

Freshman Louisville, Ky. 6-6

SAMAJAE HAYNES-JONES

Junior Pinellas Park, Fla. 6-2

MORRIS UDEZE

Junior Melbourne, Fla. 5-11

Head Coach

Redshirt Junior Oklahoma City, Okla. 6-1

RICKY TORRES

Freshman Charlotte, N.C. 6-4

ELI FARRAKHAN

Freshman Lacey, Wash. 6-3

JAMARIUS BURTON

Senior Paterson, N.J. 6-8

GREGG MARSHALL

RAVEN PRINCE

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Wichita State’s Asbjørn Midtgaard makes a layup during their exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena.

Midtgaard strives to be ‘the guy who does all the other things’ BY ANDREW LINNABARY

Sophomore Asbjørn Midtgaard (Pronounced Azz-bYORN MIT-Guard) didn’t experience much of a culture shock when he came to the United States. Midtgaard is from Denmark, a country defined by the people, he said — people who are warm, friendly and inviting. “That’s why it wasn’t as much of a culture shock,” Midtgaard said. “I feel like the people here have that same attitude.” Midtgaard was recruited to Wichita State by a former coach who visited Denmark and saw Midtgaard’s size, and the potential that size could bring. “I think my biggest strength

is being the guy who does all the other things — set the screens, get the rebounds, know the players, execute well — be the smart player,” Midtgaard said. This year, Midtgaard is WSU’s sole returning big man. “They call me a veteran,” Midtgaard said. “I know the plays the new players don’t. I’m going to show them how we do things.” Off the court, Midtgaard doesn’t do much, he said. He is, in his own words, boring. “I’m just a regular guy,” Midtgaard said. “I do normal stuff. There’s nothing really interesting, if I’m being honest. I’m not the kind of guy who gets out and all that. I like staying home. I keep it nice and chill and all that. I watch a movie, play some video games,

and what not. That’s what I like. I’m a chill guy.” That means he can focus on sports. Sports have always been a big part of Midtgaard’s life. And it hasn’t always been basketball. From soccer to team handball — an Olympic sport — he has bounced from sport to sport. “I did all kinds of things,” Midtgaard said. “And then, when I was around 14 or something, I tried basketball.” It clicked immediately. “It was fun; it was fast paced,” Midtgaard said. “You have to be a smart player to be successful. It’s not all about how athletic you are or how many shots you make.” Midtgaard is not a threepoint shooter or someone putting up a ton of points.

But it’s all the other things he does that make him a big part of the team. “I’m going to set that screen,” Midtgaard said. “I’m going to set the greatest screen of all time, so [my teammates] can get over and shoot that clutch three.” And his words of advice to anyone who looks up to him as a person or player? “Stay in school.”

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS /THE SUNFLOWER

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Morris Udeze goes up for a basket during their exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena.

Newcomer Morris Udeze looks to bring energizing punch to front court BY DRAKE ROBINSON

Morris Udeze, a 6-8 forward, came to Wichita State this year after transferring from the post-graduate Montverde Academy in Florida. Before playing with the basketball squad at Montverde Academy, Udeze player for Fort Bend Travis High School in his hometown of Houston. Udeze had massive success during his senior year of high school — leading his team to a bi-district playoff victory, winning MVP, and earning first-team all district distinctions from The Houston Chronicle. The forward was among the top 15 basketball prospects in Florida before his commitment to WSU. Udeze’s journey to becoming a Division-I basketball player has had its roadblocks. He didn’t even start playing basketball until his freshman year of high school and didn’t make the varsity squad until he was a junior. Udeze got offers his junior year to play for some small D-I schools, but wasn’t satisfied. He trained extensively with his father to better himself. Udeze said his father “took him under his wing” and propelled him to work hard and hone his game. After his successful senior year of high

school and time spent playing basketball in Florida, Udeze drew offers from prestigious D-I basketball programs the likes of Ohio State, Butler, Texas Christian University, and WSU. Udeze said that Wichita is “a great environment” and an exceptional fit for him. Although he said he loves living in Wichita so far, it’s taken him some time to get used to, coming from the urban hub of Houston. Udeze said he believes the Shocker newcomers are gelling well, and characterized the team as “underrated.” Udeze said the underdog tag on this year’s team will help them catch their rivals on the court off guard. Head Coach Gregg Marshall is counting on Udeze to be a post scorer, while at the same time rebounding and protecting the rim for the team. Senior Marcus McDuffie called Udeze “a bully” on the court who “works hard and wants to be great.” He said he believes Udeze’s skills will translate nicely this year. Junior Jaime Echenique also praised Udeze’s work ethic and said his fierceness on the court will give the Shockers a massive boost. Udeze will undoubtedly play a large role in the team’s front court rotation this year.

SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Jaime Echenique guards Catawba’s Malik Constantine during their exhibition game Tuesday.

Big man Jaime Echenique set to make towering impact for WSU BY DRAKE ROBINSON

From Columbia to Kansas, Jaime Echenique’s dream of playing in Division-I college basketball is about to come true. Echenique has not followed a typical path on the way to becoming a Shocker basketball player. Standing a towering 6-11, Echenique grew up in in Barranquilla, Columbia. He led his high school basketball team, JED Pestalozzi, to four straight regional championships. Before coming to Wichita State, Echenique played at junior college powerhouse Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. Echenique had a friend in Wichita and decided to visit WSU during his sophomore season at Trinity Valley. Because of his

visit, he became fond of the city of Wichita and decided to commit to the team when he was offered a chance to play at WSU. Echenique acknowledged that the level of physicality in the American Athletic conference is much higher than it was in junior college. He said his family is “really proud of where he has come from” and what he has accomplished so far in his basketball career, and he hopes to accomplish even more at WSU. Echenique said he “can’t wait for the season to get started,” and that it’s been his dream to get on the court and play in a D-1 game. Echenique said he’s looking forward to WSU’s upcoming games against conference rival Central Florida — specifically getting the chance to spar with Tacko Fall, the

Knights’ 7-6 center. Senior Markis McDuffie said he believes Echenique will “bring a huge impact” on the court, calling him “one of the best shot blockers” he has ever played with. McDuffie noted Echenique’s length and ability to “time blocks” as a skill the team will utilize. He also praised Echenique’s athletic drive. Freshman Morris Udeze said Echenique brings “great length” and “great energy” to the team. He called his fellow Shocker newcomer a formidable shot blocker who will be essential to the defense’s success this season. Echenique said America is an entirely different world than Columbia because of the people and culture, but he enjoys living in the Wichita and is getting used to the country.

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14 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

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marshall fills the void of departed assistants BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State Assistant Coach Lou Gudino walks onto the court at the beginning of the exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena.

ichita State’s off-season was full of departures. Two of Gregg Marshall’s assistant coaches left the program to accept positions at other schools. Donnie Jones left to accept an assistant position after just one season with the Shockers. Kyle Lindsted accepted an assistant position at Minnesota under Head Coach Richard Pitino. Marshall filled the vacancies by hiring Tyson Waterman and Lou Gudino. Waterman was an all-conference point guard who played for Marshall at Winthrop University. Waterman, a point guard, led Winthrop to two NCAA Tournament berths in his final two seasons. “I’ve known Tyson for 20 years,” Marshall said. “We’ve had a relationship all these years.” Waterman worked for eight years as the head coach at Believe Academy, a prep school in South Carolina where WSU freshman Dexter Dennis played. Waterman understands Marshall’s system at WSU, Marshall said. “It was a chance for me to hire somebody who knew what we were about, what I was about, and what this program is about,” Marshall said. Marshall said he wants to see

“I WANT ALL OF MY ASSISTANT COACHES TO ASPIRE TO BE HEAD COACHES, BUT NOT ALL AT ONCE.” GREGG MARSHALL, HEAD COACH loyalty to his coaching system. Lindsted worked under Marshall for three seasons. Assistant Coach Greg Heiar left for an assistant position at Louisiana Tech a year ago. Chris Jans left WSU for the head coaching position at New Mexico State and Steve Forbes left for the head coaching position at East Tennessee State after a short stint at WSU. “It’s great having these assistants moving on and doing great things,” Marshall said. “I want all of my assistant coaches to aspire to be head coaches, but not all at once.” Isaac Brown, who is coaching for his fifth season at WSU, is Marshall’s most experienced assistant. Gudino joins Marshall with experience as an assistant coach for Jans at New Mexico State. In addition to two coaching vacancies, WSU replaces nine of 13 scholarship players.

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Wichita State Assistant Coach Tyson Waterman gestures towards his team during their exhibition game against Catawba.

Disrespected? No

Yes Why Wichita State will place better than eighth in the conference

Why Wichita State will finish eighth or lower in the AAC

At the American Athletic Conference media day, Wichita State was picked to finish eighth in the conference for men’s basketball. It’s well-known that this is one of the youngest teams in the entire country. The Shockers are only bringing back 11.2 minutes from a year ago and are bringing in Gregg Marshall’s largest incoming class of newcomers. However, even accounting for the inexperience, this WSU team will finish better than eighth. This year’s team is led by seniors Markis McDuffie and Samajae Haynes-Jones. McDuffie is healthy and striving to get back on NBA draft boards. During his sophomore season, McDuffie led the team in points and rebounding, so he will be the one to go to in lategame situations. Haynes-Jones flashed his scoring abilities last season, posting 27 points against Arkansas State and 31 points against Savannah State. The offensive explosiveness is there for the Shocker senior class, but the newcomers will have to pick up some slack. Last season was one of Gregg Marshall’s worst defensive teams. Athletically, this team can be better on the defensive end than last year’s squad, and that’s how they’re going to have to win some of their games. Two newcomers who can make an immediate impact on defense for the Shockers are Jamarius Burton and Dexter Dennis. Burton is a matchup nightmare on both offense and defense. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 208 pounds, Burton can play the 1-3 spots on the floor. He’s quick, has great lateral movement, and can bring the defense right out of

Something’s gotta give with Gregg Marshall’s recent success. Wichita State is one of only seven teams to have made the NCAA Tournament in seven consecutive seasons. Twice in that span, they’ve earned the automatic bid to the tournament, and the other five times they’ve made it via at-large berths. Oh, and who could forget the five regular-season conference titles they’ve won in that span? But success like that just can’t be sustained forever. American Athletic Conference coaches picked Wichita State to finish eighth out of 12 teams in the league, and that’s a pretty safe assumption. Marshall is used to critics doubting his abilities, but this year, even he sees an argument to be made against the Shockers. He told the American’s Andy Katz that “this time, you’ve got some validity in your concern,” when Katz suggested the team might not finish in the top half of the conference. WSU returns just 11 percent of their minutes from a season ago. That ranks near the bottom of the NCAA. Since 2012, only one team with a similar resume has made the NCAA Tournament. Just look at the resumes of past AAC teams. There’s Temple, who had a more seasoned team with loads of experience from last season. The Owls finished seventh in the conference. There’s Southern Methodist, who was possibly a healthy Shake Milton away from competing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament

MARSHALL SUNNER columnist

the gate for the Shockers. Dennis is a freak athlete as well. He can jump out of the gym, and even though he’s a guard, he can probably handle himself when taken into the paint. He made good decisions during the Black and Yellow scrimmage on the defensive end, can space himself well on offense, and can knock down the mid-range shot in transition. The Shockers have the talent to outperform their projections. Freshman post Morris Udeze showed impressive rebounding abilities down low during the scrimmage and can move up and down the floor. Chance Moore can set the arena on fire when he gets hot from deep — he displayed tremendous range during the scrimmage. The talent level is there for the Shockers. It all comes down to when they figure out how to play together. Lastly, there is no way Temple and SMU finish ahead of Wichita State in the conference standings. Kenpom has the Shockers winning their matchup with Temple and splitting the season series with SMU. WSU has more all-around talent than either team. This Shocker team may be undersized, young, and inexperienced, but they’re going to finish better than eighth. If they do finish higher than projected, expect to see them in the tournament come March.

EVAN PFLUGRADT sports editor

on the way to falling to ninth in the conference. There’s nothing to say WSU has to finish eighth in the conference, but it’s not unreasonable to think they might end up there. By the numbers, oddsmakers would expect the rankings to be fitting. But most know better than to doubt Gregg Marshall. If WSU were to finish better than eighth, the team is going to have to get the front court figured out early. Marshall helped add depth by landing junior college transfer Jaime Echenique, a 6-11 forward with plenty of experience. Even Marshall will admit he’s short of having a “bully” in the paint. “The thing that I have to do with them is get them to be a little tougher and a little more nasty,” Marshall said of Echenique and sophomore forward Asbjørn Midtgaard. But intensity is more than just a demeanor. It means doing the little things like crashing the glass, competing for loose balls, taking charges, and setting the perfect screen. Right now, WSU doesn’t have that in the front court. But it’s commentary like this that Marshall will use as motivation to say “I told you so,” come February and March.

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Wichita State’s Rod Brown cheers on his teammates during their exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday at Koch Arena. BY AUDREY KORTE

od Brown definitely has the upper hand over a typical wideeyed freshmen player. Brown begins the season with one big advantage this year — his redshirt. He spent the last year on the sidelines, training under Gregg Marshal. Brown hopes the extra training pays off, but he said not being able to contribute on the court last season was “frustrating” and “stressful.” “I really wanted to be out there to help my teammates,” Brown said. “I didn't expect that, you know. It was tough.” But the delayed start could be a blessing in disguise. With so many young players on the team, having a freshman

with an extra year of maturity is in everyone’s best interest. Brown is one of just four returning scholarship players on the squad. Now, the redshirt freshman is eager to get in the game and show people how he's used that time to prepare. He's young and hungry — bubbling with eager energy and a desire to make a name for himself and this team. Brown said his confidence is high going into the season. “I'm more confident now than ever before,” Brown said. Thanks to a personalized strength and conditioning regimen developed by his coaches, Brown begins this season bigger and stronger than ever. After putting on nearly 20 pounds of muscle, Brown said he's more than

ready to get in the game. He plans to “make some noise” this year. “This year will be the beginning of something big,” Brown said. “I know what I bring to the team. I'm going to be a force. I bring the defense, offensive rebounding, plus defensive rebounding.” Brown has been impressed by other returning players’ improvements. He said Samajae Haynes-Jones has been a standout. “Last year, he didn’t get his opportunity but this year he’s been making a huge stride,” Brown said. “He’s been going hard — really hard at every practice. “I never seen nobody as quick as him. He’s really gotten better since last year and this year is going to be a really

Rod Brown eager to hit the court after sitting out good year for him. We're both going hard right now.” It will be up to returning players to lead a young team. Despite the inexperience, Brown said he’s confident WSU will prove the skeptics wrong on their way to a successful season. “The Shockers are gonna surprise everyone,” Brown said.

“We're always the underdogs. “I really feel like we can really make some noise going all the way into March Madness. I mean, right now, the best thing about us being young is that we’re coachable and if we're able to listen to what Coach got for us, we’ll get right back to where we were last year.”

Jada Peacock follows in her parents’ footsteps as a collegiate athlete BY SEAN MARTY

tries to model her game Freshman guard Jada after a former NBA MVP. Peacock was born into a “I am defense first, but basketball family. Both I’m really fast, so Coach of her parents played has me playing the one, collegiate basketball. Her two, and three,” Peacock father, Dexter, played at said. “I try to model my Langston University and game after [Russell] her mother, Miniki, played Westbrook because he is PEACOCK at Louisiana Tech University. fast, so that’s why I chose the “Basketball was really number zero.” my only sport growing up because Peacock said Cesaria it ran in the family,” Peacock said. Ambrosio, a guard and one of “My dad was my skills coach WSU’s two seniors, has taken her growing up.” under her wing. Growing up in the Dallas area, “Ces has definitely helped bePeacock had success at the high cause she plays the same position school level — leading Allen as me and she’s out right now,” High School to its first ever state Peacock said. “I shadowed her and championship while averaging 15 she’s my mentor.” points, three assists, and two steals Although the team has meshed per game as her team’s defensive well off the court, their on-court player of the year. chemistry is still a work in progress. Moving to Wichita from Dallas, “We’re young, but we get along a large urban area, has been a big really well.” Peacock said. “We’re adjustment for Jada. just trying to transfer that energy “The environment back home is onto the court.” a lot louder,” Peacock said. “There is Jada is hopeful to join a potent a lot going on rather than Kansas.” group of freshman and lead WSU With Peacock’s combination of back to the NCAA Tournament for versatility and speed, she said she the first time since 2015.

ELLA DOMINGUEZ /THE SUNFLOWER

Jada Peacock pivots during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State Wednesday.

Walk-ons round out Shocker roster BY MARSHALL SUNNER

JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

Left to right, Tate Busse, Jacob Herrs, John Robert Simon, Brycen Bush, and Eli Farrakhan, current and former walk-ons.

Along with the scholarship players, every collegiate basketball team has walk-ons. Every year, four walk-on players help fill out the rest of the roster. This year, Wichita State’s walkons are Tate Busse, Brycen Bush, Jacob Herrs, and Eli Farrakhan. Three of the team’s walk-ons — Farrakhan, Bush, and Herrs — have collegiate experience coming into this season. However, Bush and Herrs are the only two with Division-I experience, as Farrakhan is a transfer from Central Georgia Tech. Farrakhan played at Eastern Florida State Junior College his freshman year — losing the NJCAA championship game to the Hutchinson Community College squad helmed by future Shocker Samaje Haynes-Jones. Last season, Bush and Herrs combined for five points on 2-2 shooting.

Bush is a native of Wichita, where he attended Goddard Eisenhower. Herrs, also a Wichitan, attended Andover High School. Farrakhan played in all 34 games last season as a junior at Central Georgia Tech — starting 16 of them. Busse, from St. Francis, Kansas, is the lone freshman walk-on this season for Wichita State. He received scholarship offers from Division-II Fort Hays State and multiple junior colleges, but decided instead to walk on at WSU. In his senior year of high school, Busse led the state in scoring with 28.2 points per game. “Tate’s a great kid, and I like him a lot, but we haven’t been able to use him much,” Head Coach Gregg Marshall said. “I would say one out of three practices, he gets in there in the live action.” Marshall hopes Busse “gets his opportunity and does well.”

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16 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

Catching up with the Shockers in the NBA BY MARSHALL SUNNER At the start of the 2018-2019 NBA season, there are three former Shockers in the highest professional league — Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker, and Landry Shamet.

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Fred VanVleet

Ron Baker

Landry Shamet

VanVleet is entering his third season in the league. After going undrafted in 2016, the 6-foot guard signed with the Toronto Raptors. During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments to the Raptors’ development league affiliate, the Raptors 905. He was a member of the Raptors 905’s championship team that year. During his split time between the leagues, VanVleet posted his best game against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 3, 2017, when he recorded 15 points.

Like VanVleet, Baker went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. After a scattered Summer League campaign, Baker signed with the New York Knicks, where he secured a spot on the opening-night roster. Baker debuted in the Knicks’ season opener on Oct. 25, 2016 — recording five points and one rebound in seven minutes off the bench in a 117–88 loss to the Cavaliers.

After playing two full seasons for Wichita State, Landry Shamet entered the 2018 NBA Draft. Shamet was taken with the 26th pick in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

VanVleet broke out last year in his second NBA season. The former Shocker standout posted a career-high 25 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in January — breaking his previous career-high from earlier that month when he scored 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On March 7, VanVleet’s jump shot with 1.1 seconds left in a game versus the Detroit Pistons helped the Raptors become the first team to clinch a spot in the 2018 NBA Playoffs. VanVleet finished the 2017-2018 season averaging 8.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 76 games. He was also nominated for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award — taking third in voting. At the end of the season, VanVleet ranked fourth in the NBA in net efficiency per possession. VanVleet signed a contract to remain with Toronto this offseason. The contract is worth $18 million for two years.

Throughout the season, Baker was assigned to the Knicks’ affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. In December, Baker recorded a season-high 13 points against the Golden State Warriors in a 103-90 loss. In January of his rookie season, Baker scored 12 points in his first career start against the Atlanta Hawks. Baker’s sophomore season in the league was rough. After resigning with the Knicks in August 2017, Baker missed time with a broken left orbital bone that he sustained when he was hit in the face trying to stop Anthony Davis's drive to the basket in a December matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Baker came back after missing a few games, but on Feb. 5, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season when he was told he would need shoulder surgery. Baker is now entering his third season in the league.

Shamet is the first player in Gregg Marshall’s tenure at WSU to leave early for the NBA. Shamet will be in line for a first-year salary of approximately $1.7 million, and will earn $9.5 million, or more, if he plays out the full four-year contract. The third and fourth years of the deal are team options. During the 2018 preseason, Shamet averaged 8.8 points per game, with an 18-point performance in a 120-114 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in China. As of Sunday, Shamet had appeared in all 11 of the 76ers regular-season games thus far. He was in the starting lineup in just his fourth career NBA game. Shamet is averaging 7.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.5 steals so far this season. Shamet has impressed Head Coach Brett Brown. “He is just quietly jumping into this league,” Brown said of Shamet. “There is a consistency that he has shown where he has been steady.”

Haynes-Jones embraces senior leadership role BY MATTHEW KELLY

Samajae Haynes-Jones has two goals on the court for his senior season at Wichita State — to “have fun” and to “prove people wrong.” The Wichita native, one of just two seniors on a young Shocker squad, found an extra bit of motivation when the American Athletic Conference released its coaches’ poll last month. “We were picked eighth in our conference, so you know, just turn some heads during the conference season,” Haynes-Jones said. The Hutchinson Community College graduate showed flashes of brilliance in his first season of NCAA basketball while playing behind NBA-bound Landry Shamet. Haynes-Jones hung 31 points in an early-season victory over Savannah State. Later on, though, stomach issues sidelined the guard, causing him to miss significant playing time. Haynes-Jones said that shouldn’t be an issue this season. “It was just a lot of problems going on, but I got it settled out during this whole summer, so I’ve been feeling good,” Haynes-Jones said. Fellow senior Markis McDuffie said Haynes-Jones, who scored a game-high 19 in WSU’s exhibition victory over Catawba, is poised for a breakout season. “He just had to get comfortable that first year playing at one of the highest levels of basketball,” McDuffie said. “You’ve got to kind of get adjusted. You’ve got to get acquainted. You got to realize what’s going on — deal with the adversity — the highs and the lows. “He’s going to have a big year this year. I believe in him so much and we all do.” Redshirt freshman Rod Brown spoke highly of Haynes-Jones’s work ethic in practice.

“YOU KNOW HOW HARD COLLEGE IS WITH SCHOOL AND BALANCING IT WITH BASKETBALL AND ALL THAT. THEY CAN TALK TO ME ANY TIME.” SAMAJAE HAYNES-JONES “I never seen nobody as quick as him,” Brown said. “He’s really gotten better since last year and this year is going to be a really good year for him. McDuffie said Haynes-Jones has assumed a leadership role on the young team. “He’s a guard, I’m a forward, so you know, at his position, all the guards look up to him,” McDuffie said. Haynes-Jones said he’s ready to be a mentor. “Being with Coach Gregg Marshall for a year has shown me a lot,” Haynes-Jones said. “I can be a mentor to [young players], you know what I’m saying? Show them the ropes, be there for plays, be there if they need somebody to talk to.” He said leadership means being there for young players “even off the court.” “You know how hard college is with school and balancing it with basketball and all that,” HaynesJones said. “You know, they can talk to me any time.” As far as proving people wrong, Haynes-Jones said Coach Marshall has built a program that always performs best in the face of adversity. “That’s how it’s always been here,” Haynes-Jones said. “He has always been known for being the underdog and proving people wrong every year, so that’s just how it’s going to be.”

SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State senior Samajae Haynes-Jones goes up for a shot during the exhibition game against Catawba Tuesday.

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McDuffie draws inspiration from his father “MY DAD’S BEEN RAISING ME SINCE I WAS LITTLE. IT’S MORE THAN JUST BASKETBALL. HE MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY.”

BY ANDREW LINNABARY

arkis McDuffie has played for some legendary coaches, including Bob Hurley and Gregg Marshall. But one coach will always take McDuffie’s top spot — his dad. “My dad’s been raising me since I was little,” McDuffie said. “It’s more than just basketball. He made me who I am today.” Who is McDuffie today? He’s one of two seniors on the WSU basketball team. He’s established himself as a key member of the team by always being a solid, reliable player. He’s looking to get back on NBA Draft boards this season. He’s about to finish his sports management degree. And through it all, his dad has been by his side. “My dad always texts me — always talks to me after every game, after every practice,” McDuffie said. “We’re always chopping it up about basketball and what I need to do to get better and be the best player and person I can be.” There’s a lot of overlap between player and person, McDuffie said. What happens on the court affects what happens off the court, and vice versa. “Basketball is more than a game,” McDuffie said. “It’s a lifestyle. When you play the game of basketball, not only does it affect you on the court, but it affects you off the court in terms of how you carry yourself.” The way McDuffie carries himself, he said, is with both swagger and effort. He will always give effort, because he’s been blessed with the opportunity to play. “If you’re not showing effort, then why you out there? There’s so many guys that wish to be in my position — that wish to

dad’s mentorship, has made McDuffie want to be a coach someday. “I love kids, and I love coaching kids,” McDuffie said. “I like making kids better. It’s great when they tell you, ‘You’re my favorite, and I learned a lot from you.’” Leaving an impact on people — specifically on kids — has been what McDuffie loves most about playing at WSU, he said. “When kids tell me they have a certain type of illness, and meeting me would mean a lot, those are proud moments for me,” McDuffie said. “That means a lot when someone’s been watching you every single day. You never know who’s watching.” WSU fans will be watching McDuffie closely this year as the undisputed leader of a team full of freshmen. McDuffie said he’s just going to

MARKIS MCDUFFIE have my height, that wish to have my skill,” McDuffie said. “This was Godgiven and hard work. Every single day, I love the game, and that swagger, that love, that smile, that enthusiasm, that energy — I bring it to the game.” McDuffie began studying

keep playing and judge his performance later. “I’m looking forward [to my final season], because I know it’s going to end fast,” McDuffie said. “But I try not to think about it everyday. I stay day-to-day. I’m a day-to-day guy, you know. We got some games to play. We ain’t even start the season yet. I’m ready for the season first.”

basketball as a kid in Paterson, New Jersey. He watched pickup games at parks and analyzed what players did wrong and what they did right. “That’s what inspired me to be the best I can be,” McDuffie said. “And I’m still trying to get better.” Studying the game, coupled with his

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Q&A

shocker

with the coach’s son

street speak

If you’re the coach, game is tied and you’re down a point with five seconds left, who do you want to take the shot?

Gregg Marshall and his son, Kellen Marshall JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER

“Samajae Haynes-Jones” —ISAIAH POOR BEARCHANDLER, Freshman

“-I gotta go with Marcus McDuffie because he has had the most experience here. He’s a senior, he’s a captain.” —ELI FARRAKHAN, Junior

Kellen Marshall, son of Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gregg Marshall, is a business management senior and an integral piece of the men’s basketball team. Kellen Marshall agreed to an email question and answer with The Sunflower. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WICHITA STATE?

My dad’s team has always been a huge part of my life, and I wasn’t ready to walk away from that. My freshman year was Fred (VanVleet) and Ron’s (Baker) senior year, and to not be around two guys who are like my big brothers for their final year was something I just couldn’t see myself doing. WHAT’S YOUR ROLE ON THE TEAM?

“Probably Markis McDuffie.” —TATE BUSSE, Freshman

STEVENSON

FROM PAGE 11 “They can’t say anything when you do that,” he said. Marshall pushes Stevenson on his onball and off-ball defense. Stevenson must focus on protecting the ball in practices where no fouls are called. It’s the little things, he said, that will transform his game to the “Ron Baker level” of play. “I have to come in and work as hard — and even more — as he did to become an NBA draft pick,” Stevenson said. Defense will win games. Marshall has described last year’s veteran squad

“I’m throwing in Tate.” —BRYCEN BUSH, Sophomore

as a deviant from his gritty, “Play Angry” style of defense. “For whatever reason, last year’s team was the best offensive team and worst defensive team we’ve ever had,” Marshall said. “In their minds, we could outscore everybody. That’s not the way I want to play.” Stevenson is at the heart of Marshall’s rebuild, just like Baker was as a redshirt freshman in 2013. “Our ceiling is an NCAA championship,” Stevenson said. “We’re young, so our ceiling is a lot higher. We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of time to put in, but we’re on the pathway to it.”

I help with scouting, breaking down game film, individual skill work, finding out the other team’s play calls (during the game), and overseeing day-to-day operations of our manager staff. WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING ALONGSIDE YOUR DAD?

It’s a blessing. The older I get, I know I will look back on all the time I get to spend with him helping his team as something that is really, really special. I learn so much every year, and every day. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO POSTGRADUATION?

My plan as of now is to be a graduate assistant here at WSU and continue to help the team while I work my way up the coaching ranks, aspiring to follow the footsteps of my dad. WHAT’S IT LIKE GROWING UP WITH YOUR DAD BEING THE BASKETBALL COACH?

It is pretty cool. Sometimes I don’t realize how much he means to the community, but when we are out in public and people come up to him just to show love and appreciation every single time, it is awesome. Sometimes I even get recognized by people I don’t know — which is kind of weird but kind of

cool — but it just shows how much Shocker Nation and the city of Wichita cares about our team. FAVORITE BASKETBALL MEMORY?

March 22, 2015. Wichita State 78 Kansas 65. Best day ever. FAVORITE MEMORY AT WICHITA STATE?

This is tough. … Fred, Ron, and Evan’s senior day game and the celebration the rest of that day and night was awesome. But, I will have to say my favorite memory was the win at Cincinnati last year. That was a hell of a win over a really tough team in a daunting environment, and we celebrated accordingly in that locker room afterwards. FAVORITE BASKETBALL PLAYER? WHY?

I love Michael Jordan, he’s the GOAT. His mental edge over every other basketball player ever is why his GOAT status will never change. Aside from him, though, I am a huge Paul Pierce guy. Always been a Celtics fan and you got to love “The Truth.” WHO’D WIN ON A GAME OF ONE-ON-ONE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DAD?

Depends on if fouls were called and what the game goes to. He is old but he has that old man strength. If it’s a game to 5, he might win. If we go to 15, he would get worn out. FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE?

“Space Jam”

WHAT’S ONE THING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?

I love to act, do impressions, all that stuff. And I can do magic tricks. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER TO WORK WITH?

Bake (Ron Baker) is my dude. We still work out in the summer when he’s back in town. It’s been really cool getting to see how a pro works on his craft.

BASKETBALL GUIDE

18 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

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BASKETBALL NEWS GUIDE

www.thesunflower.com

Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 | 19

Maya Brewer brings leadership, experience for WSU women

BY JOHN DARR

The Wichita State women’s basketball team is young this year, which means it’s up to upperclassmen like Maya Brewer to lead them to victory. Brewer is a transfer student from State Fair Community College, where she led the team in scoring and managed more than five rebounds per game. The switch from the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference to the American Athletic Conference doesn’t faze Brewer. Not even squaring off against Geno Auriemma’s legendary UConn squad. “It’s nothing to be starstruck about,” Brewer said. “I’m going to take it like any other game.” In spite of her newness to WSU, Brewer’s confidence and experience should pay off this year. “I think my role is being a role model and example for the freshman — to share the stuff I’ve already experienced from all of the years I have under my belt at the college level,” Brewer said. It’s exactly what Head Coach Keitha Adams expects from Brewer. It’s Brewer’s talent and experience, Adams said, that make her a great teammate in practices and that should translate to the court this season. “Because of her experience and ability, we expect her to bring leadership and production,” Adams said. When asked which team members showed

great leadership potential going forward, Brewer’s was the first name out of Adams’s mouth. Though she’s confident in her abilities and the abilities of her teammates, Brewer said she knows fulfilling their full potential will take some work. She said the team is still getting to know each member’s strengths and weaknesses, and that once they have a better feel for that, they’ll be able to make big plays. “We’re just taking it day by day and trying to get good chemistry going,” Brewer said. She said she hopes the team will be able to pull together by the time by the time they hit the court for their first game Wednesday. Brewer said she’s happy with her new team. She specifically mentioned the team’s spirit of comradery. Though the team is made up of many new players, Brewer said, “we’re all pretty close.” Personally, Brewer’s positive mentality is bolstered not only from within the team but from outside of it as well. Brewer is thankful for the support she gets from her family in Kansas City. Despite the driving distance between her hometown and the team’s games in Wichita, Brewer said, “I can still get all my friends and family to come.” Her team, Brewer said, feels like a family too. With her own confidence and a strong support network, she’s ready to make this season one to remember.

KYLIE CAMERON/THE SUNFLOWER

Junior guard Maya Brewer charges toward the goal during the exhibition game Thursday against Missouri Southern State.

Keitha Adams: ‘We’ve got a lot of growing to do on the court’ BY EVAN PFLUGRADT

Wichita State’s women’s basketball team enters the season still in rebuild. Second-year Head Coach Keitha Adams replaces 10 players from a season ago. The team was picked No. 10 of 12 teams in the American’s preseason poll. The Shockers were picked 10th in the American last season, and finished fifth. “We’ve got a lot of growing to do on the court,” Adams said. Right now, Adams said the team is focusing more on “learning each other” than learning their opponents. “The biggest challenge is figuring us out,” Adams said. “I’m not spending much time spending on other people because we’re focusing on us.” Adams said numerous freshmen have shown their potential in practices. She pointed to junior college transfer Maya Brewer from Kansas City as a spark in the team’s offense this season. A challenge Adams said the team is facing is “finding what [players] are going to consistently be able to do things, and not be

DENNIS

FROM PAGE 7 He landed on his shooting wrist — breaking his arm and dislocating his wrist. “I hung onto the rim for too long,” Dennis said. “When my legs swung back, I let go and the rest explains itself.” Dennis would go on to have two different surgeries on his left wrist. His left arm is shorter than his right, and after the two surgeries — the final during his junior year of high school — Dennis fully made the switch to his right hand. “I already had to work super hard,” Dennis said. “But now that I transitioned over, it’s even harder.

shocker

street speak

Who has the worst dance moves on the team?

KYLIE CAMERON/THE SUNFLOWER

Women’s basketball head coach Keitha Adams yells out plays on the sidelines.

up and down.” Seraphine Bastin, a 5-8 point guard from Belgium, has “a good mentality to lead this team, no question,” Adams said. Bastin had 11 points and four rebounds in the team’s exhibition. WSU combined with Missouri Southern State for 51 fouls and 46 turnovers in the Shockers’ only exhibition game of the preseason. WSU returns just short of 20 percent of their scoring from a

season ago after graduating eight seniors, including All-Conference forward Rangie Bessard. “Every opportunity we step out there is going to be a challenge,” Adams said. “We’re having to learn a lot from one another.” Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage, one of just two seniors on the team, is the team leader in 11 statistical categories. Lozada-Cabbage had 10 rebounds in WSU’s exhibition Thursday.

“With us having so much youth, the experience of our veterans will be very important,” Adams said. WSU shot just 26 percent from the floor and 20 percent from three-point range against Missouri Southern State. Adams said the team hasn’t shot much in practice. Adams said despite the inexperience, her team is loaded with potential.

“When I first started shooting with my right, I couldn’t make anything. It just felt weird, but at the same time, I knew I could probably get used to it.” He was right. Dennis would go on to average 23.4 points per game during his senior year of high school in Baker, Louisiana. The athletic Shocker newcomer admits he still runs into issues with his injury. Sometimes, he feels like his “left hand gets in the way” of his shot. “It’s kind of weird to explain,” Dennis said. “It’s a lot of form shooting, I can say that. It’s work I still put in every day to get better.” WSU Head Coach Gregg Marshall had ties with Dennis

before he even knew it. Dennis’s prep school coach, Waterman, was an assistant for Marshall during his tenure at Winthrop. With connections made, Dennis was sent to Wichita for his visit, and was immediately impressed. Dennis was the first spring commitment for the Shockers this past April. After landing the athletic combo-guard, Marshall was pleased. “We feel Dexter has the raw talent and athleticism to be, not only a fine collegiate player, but eventually a guy who could play at the highest professional level,” Marshall said in a statement before the season. “He can shoot from deep, attack the rim, and has a ready-made Division I body

walking in the door.” When asked which player he shaped his game around, Dennis was quick to answer: Russell Westbrook. “Have you seen that man play?” Dennis asked. “He’s intense, and all-around savage. He’s a maniac. He plays extremely hard, and that’s what I want to do, and that’s what I want to bring this year.” Dennis has a lot to prove for the Shockers this year — for himself, and for his former teammate, Nicholas. “I want to play well for Malcolm (Nicholas),” Dennis said. “I also want to help this team out anyway that I can. It’s going to be tough at first with so many new guys, but we will click down the stretch.”

“Jada Peacock got the worst dance moves by far. Number zero has the worst dance moves by far.” —DAWNYEL LAIR, Freshman

Who’s your favorite basketball player?

“Favorite basketball player? I’m going to say Kobe Bryant. It’s just his motor and how highintensity he is, I just loved as a kid.” —RAVEN PRINCE, Redshirt Junior

Did you play any other sports besides basketball?

Shocker men add 4-star guard to next year’s squad BY MARSHALL SUNNER AND EVAN PFLUGRADT

Gregg Marshall has one of his best recruits joining him next season. Tyson Etienne, a four-star guard, gave a verbal commitment to Wichita State last month.

After replacing nine of 13 roster spots this year, Marshall has commitments to fill the vacancies soon to be left by graduating seniors Markis McDuffie and Samajae Haynes-Jones. Etienne joins Noah Fernandes, a 5-11 point guard from Woodstock Academy

in Connecticut. Etienne is Marshall’s highest-rated recruit since Alex Lomax, a four-star point guard who was granted release after signing a letter of intent to WSU. Lomax left to join newly appointed Head Coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis.

Etienne, a 6-1 guard from New Jersey, is rated the No. 115 player in the class of 2019 by 247Sports. Fernandes is also rated inside the top 150 players overall by 247Sports. Fernandes is a three-star recruit according to both 247Sports and ESPN.

“I used to swim, actually, professionally. It was my first sport. When I was five, I started to swim.” —NATALIA RYNG, Freshman

20 | Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

BASKETBALL GUIDE

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