The Shockers practiced Sunday morning in preparation for Monday’s exhibition game.
- Mantas Griskenas strained the Achilles tendon on his left foot during Saturday’s practice and is not expected to play Monday. Aaron Ellis is still hobbling due to a sprained big toe. He did not practice. Coach Gregg Marshall said Ellis’ return date is an unknown, and it may decide on how much pain he can play with. Gabe Blair is improving, he said, and he may be ready to go soon. Because it is a back issue (stress fracture in a vertebrae) trainer Todd Fagan is being cautious with Blair’s return.
- The injuries mean sophomore walk-on Mason Felter will enjoy a more prominent role in the frontcourt than previously expected. Felter looked good in practice, scoring over Ramon Clemente in the lane once and making a couple outside jumpers. “Mason’s a good ballplayer,” Marshall said. “He gets an opportunity tomorrow to be in the rotation behind Ramon. He had a great practice. He had a little bounce to his step. I think he saw an opportunity.”
- Your likely starters, according to coach Gregg Marshall, are Clemente, J.T. Durley, A.J. Hawkins, Clevin Hannah and Toure Murry. Marshall said Durley and Garrett Stutz are close at center, which to me means Stutz had a good week of practice after struggling in the scrimmage at Kansas State. If he is pushing J.T., it is good news for both, especially since forwards Blair and Ellis are out of practice.
- Murry, well, if you’ve seen him play this is not a big surprise. He may be a rock in that starting lineup for the next four seasons.
- ESU is picked eighth in the MIAA. Three Wichitans – Matt Boswell (Kapaun Mount Carmel), Doug Moore (East), Luke Barnwell (Bishop Carroll) - are on the roster. Center Shang Ping is a transfer from Nebraska who played in 21 games last season for the Huskers and aveaged 3.0 points.
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