Shocker Key to Success – Lock Down Defense

(St. Louis, MO) – Jesus said, “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.” The Nature Boy, Rick Flair said, “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”

It’s no secret that Wichita State is the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference. Gregg Marshall’s program has won three of the last four conference crowns and have finished no lower than second place in each of the last six seasons. They are 10-0 in Valley play this campaign.

But what makes them so good? Why are the Shockers so dominant? They have the best winning percentage among all Division 1 college basketball teams over the past six years. Their ROAD record in conference games over that time period is better than any other Valley school’s HOME record.

While we admit, the talent pool at Wichita State is typically better than their MVC opponents, we believe the secret lies in the way they defend their opponent’s star players. “strike the shepherd…”

Coach Marshall, now tied with Ralph Miller for most wins on the Shocker bench, says his team strives to play good ‘team defense’ but you have to focus on the stars.

 

 

The current edition of ‘Play Angry’ has found their rhythm after some early season struggles with injuries and have won 11 straight games and 14 of their last 15. In 12 of those fifteen games the leading scorer for the Shocker opponent scored less than his season average. In some cases the top two scorers were limited greatly.

D. J. Balentine averages just under 22 points per game against everyone but the Shockers. In two encounters with Wichita Stat he averaged 16. His Evansville teammate Egidijus Mockevicius scores 17 points per game against non-Shockers and averages 12.5 when battling WSU. “to be the best…”

Those are typical numbers for all the star players they encounter. Saint Louis U’s Ash Yacoubou was held 10 points under his average. UNLV’s Patrick McCaw almost eight. Drake’s Reed Timmer was held to almost 11 points under his average. SIU’s Anthony Beane was five.

Marshall says they can over do it some times and let other players hurt them, and they have to adjust.

 

 

One of the reasons for that good defense, according to Southern Illinois’ Barry Hinson is that Marshall emphasizes it, but also there are a lot of taller and longer defenders wearing the black and gold.

 

 

When star guard Fred VanVleet was out with various leg ailments, not only did the offensive part of the Shockers’ game suffer, but to a greater degree, their defense struggled. VanVleet’s leadership and defensive ability were sorely missed. The defending champions own a league best 61.9 points allowed per game on the season (57.9 in league play). In nine of the games in this current streak they have not surrendered as many as 60 points.

Marshall says his 21st ranked team is still getting better after those early season struggles.

 

 

They still have one weapon in sick bay in highly touted freshman Landry Shamet, possibly returning in mid February prior to Arch Madness 2016. This Shocker team could be one of the best in Gregg Marshall’s tenure.

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