Wichita State Shockers (29-8, 14-4)
Projected starting five:
Sr. G Toure’ Murry
Sr. G David Kyles
Sr. C Garrett Stutz
Sr. G Joe Ragland
Sr. F Ben Smith
Important departures:
Jake J.T. Durley: 11.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Gabe Blair: 6.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Graham Hatch: 6.1 ppg
Percent returning:
Starts: 44.3 percent
Minutes: 57.0 percent
Scoring: 58.9 percent
Rebounding: 47.8 percent
Additions:
Freshman guard Evan Wessel was a first-team all-state for class 6-A at Heights High School in Kansas.
Toughest nonconference match ups:
Nov. 17 vs. Colorado
Dec. 4 vs. UNLV
Dec. 10 vs. Utah State
Outlook:
Wichita State has seen other teams capture the MVC crown the past two seasons even though it was predicted to win. The target is off the Shockers’ backs this season, but they still return a potent lineup capable of making a run for this season’s title again. Five of WSU’s top six scorers return this season, all of whom averaged 6.7 to 9.4 points per contest in 2010-11. Problems might occur on the boards though, with the losses of J.T. Durley and Gabe Blair. A very inexperienced bench might also force the Shockers to watch another team celebrate this season again. As of now, it appears WSU will have the opportunity to defend its NIT title.
