Can Shocker Bigs Measure Up?

(St. Louis, MO) – If Wichita State is to reach the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ then their three-headed post player(s) will have to stand strong. Playing against the much larger Kentucky Wildcats will be one of the most significant challenges of this undefeated season.

Seniors Chadrack Lufile and Kadeem Coleby and Junior Darius Carter rotate through the post position and they have their work cut out for them in the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. The three combine to collect 16.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Coleby has started the most games, Carter has played the most minutes and Lufile has grabbed the most rebounds.

Their challenge on Sunday will come in the form of a gigantic Kentucky squad. They run 6’6″ guards and play a 7 footer in the post and run several 6’8″ and 6’9″ players at you all night long. The 6’9″ Julius Randle leads the Cats in scoring and rebounding and just about duplicates the Shocker Trio’s numbers by himself.

Seven foot Willie Cauley-Stein has blocked over 100 shots and scores seven points per game and brings great energy to John Calipari’s team. Sophomore Alex Poythress is 6’8″ and scores five points and grabs four boards. They are long and athletic. The Harrison twin guards are both 6’6″. The Shockers will be shorter at virtually every position on the floor.

While wing players Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early have received most the attention during this perfect 35-0 season, the post players have been pivotal on both ends of the floor. Coleby, Lufile and Carter average 251 pounds each, and they will need all of that muscle Sunday afternoon.

Coleby believes those three will play well and defend hard. Watch as he responds to thoughts about post play, staying focused and the importance of defense.

Even though the Shockers are the number one seed and are undefeated, I believe Wichita State will come into the game as underdogs in Las Vegas. A second trip to the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ will largely depend on Lufile, Carter and Coleby.

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