WSU is going to struggle with offensive issues in many games, which is why it is incumbent upon defense to provide some easy baskets. In WSU’s three straight wins (all at home) the Shockers scored 17, 21 and 21 points off turnovers. At Bradley, it scored nine. It’s not just turnovers that can create easy shots. So can bad shots. WSU’s half-court offense struggles against good defensive teams, so anything the Shockers can do to avoid that matchup helps.
Graham Hatch hasn’t made a three since the SIU game on Jan. 7. It is a credit to him he is doing enough other things to stay in the rotation. He has only taken four, which either reveals a lack of confidence or a strong sense that he needs to pick his spots.
On the positive side, WSU is getting to the line more often than its opponents. That was a big problem earlier this season. Against Evansville, WSU scored six more points at the line. Against Bradley, it was two more.
Evansville beat Drake tonight. The Bulldogs will come to Wichita with one less day of rest than the Shockers.