Wichita State
University (14)
by Jeff Feyerer
Projected Starters
G
6-0
PT%
78.86
G
PTE
32.09
6-4
PT%
81.79
G
6-4
PT%
34.50
F
6-7
6-8
PT%
74.55
HS100 AC/AA
1-AC
Ron Baker
PTE
31.41
PT%
54.00
F
Fred VanVleet
HS100 AC/AA
1-AC
Evan Wessel
PTE
8.42
HS100 AC/AA
PTE
-0.02
HS100 AC/AA
PTE
16.77
HS100 AC/AA
Rashard Kelly
Anton Grady
SR
NBA
84
SR
NBA
56
SR
NBA
SO
NBA
SR
NBA
Bench Rotation
F
6-7
PT%
30.00
G
PTE
5.90
6-1
PT%
16.07
F
PT%
20.29
Shaquille Morris
Conner Frankamp
PTE
4.81
6-6
HS100 AC/AA
HS100 AC/AA
41
Zach Brown
PTE
5.62
HS100 AC/AA
C 6-11 Bush Wamukota
PT%
13.71
PTE
0.82
HS100 AC/AA
SO
NBA
SO
NBA
SO
NBA
SR
NBA
Major conference programs
came calling, but Wichita State
head coach Gregg Marshall stayed
put. No longer is the allure of
major conference programs the
determining factor in whether
or not coaches leave the relative
security of smaller conference
positions.
Sure, the Wichita State alumni
were able to pony up enough
money to make Marshall one of the
highest paid coaches in the sport,
but now that schools like Butler,
VCU and Wichita State have shown
that national relevance can be a
constant for mid-majors instead of a
fleeting moment of glory, successful
coaches aren’t prone to jump at the
first opportunity that shows itself.
Departures will still happen, but
like Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart,
they will be for once-in-a-lifetime
opportunities. It wasn’t the right
move now for Marshall, and with
the team he has returning, it’s easy
to see why.
Marshall will be able to lean on
arguably the best backcourt in the
nation on the road to a potential
National Title. Guards have ruled
March in recent years, with each of
the last three National Title winners
possessing two backcourt players
who could handle and score.
L ouisville’s Russ Smith and
Peyton Siva, UConn’s Shabazz
Napier and Ryan Boatright, and
Duke’s Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook
may not have been the only reason
for their team’s success but each
pair’s ability to handle the ball,
defend, and score were integral to
victory in the tournament. Shooting
guard Ron Baker and point guard
Fred VanVleet may not be top NBA
prospects, but on the collegiate level,
they possess the combination of skill
and experience that lead to success.
VanVleet, the steady-handed
floor general, finished the 2014-15
season in the top 50 in assist and
steal rates and led the Missouri
Valley Conference in assists per
game while finishing second in
steals. His shot has continually
improved throughout his career,
but his value lies in directing the
team, distributing to scorers like
Baker and playing pressure-packed
defense.
Baker was the conference’s
leading 3-point shooter, averaging
14.7 points per game. He finished
behind only VanVleet in offensive
rating in the conference, and has
improved his scoring each year in
Wichita. This season, Baker will
need to attack the basket more,
getting his free throw rate closer to
BBALLBREAKDOWN | 30