Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall talked mostly about his offense on Friday before practice. He pointed out the lack of practice time during a four-game stretch between Nov. 27-Dec. 3. The problems on offense are numerous. Bad shots. Bad passes. Lack of movement. Lack of execution. Marshall ticked off several examples of teammates missing open teammates with sloppy passes. Or of players taking ill-advised shots. Other than guard Clevin Hannah, coaches don’t know who is going to show up from game to game and score.
“We calculated we will have more practice time for this TCU game, total, than we had for the previous four games combined,” he said. “It’s pretty apparent our offense wasn’t very good. Clevin Hannah is basically having to shoulder the load.”
WSU, coming off Wednesday’s 72-69 loss at Texas Tech, practiced Thursday and Friday. They are off Saturday and return to work Sunday before Monday’s game at TCU.
- Guard Graham Hatch took a bump to the head Wednesday. He sat out Thursday’s practice. He did non-contact work on Friday and expects to do everything on Sunday. Guard Bret Michael is out while recovering from a concussion.
- Forward Gabe Blair practiced for the first time since October on Thursday. Marshall gave an example of Blair’s value. Ramon Clemente tried to power his way to the basket through Blair. Blair swatted his shot.
“Ramon went back up for a shot and all of a sudden he ate some leather,” Marshall said. “Gabe sent it right back in his mug. He adds another big body.”
- Mantas Griskenas, recovering from a sprained ankle, wants to play and says he is healthy. Marshall wants to see more evidence. Wednesday, he put Griskenas in and a Red Raider immediately beat him down the floor for an easy basket.
“I can’t use him at 90 percent,” Marshall said. “I can’t have him get loose during the game. He’s got to get loose before he goes in the game.”