Shockwaves

WSU will have three new walk-ons this season - Brett Steven (Bishop Carroll), Mason Felter (Bishop Carroll) and Reggie Britton (Plano, Texas). We got Steven’s story at WSU in the newspaper a few weeks ago. Here’s an attempt to introduce the other two. WSU coaches cannot comment on walk-ons until school starts.

Today: Mason Felter, a 6-foot-7 forward from Wichita.

Felter is the son of former Shocker John Felter (1987-89). He may be the second legacy in the program’s 101 seasons. Hard to believe, I know. I can’t think of any other than Randy-Reggie Smithson (I overlooked that one until Mike Kennedy pointed it out). Are there others? If you can help, let me know (Bob and Lisa Hodgson and Carl and Kareema Williams come to mind as father-daugher combos). Felter grew up around WSU basketball, going to games and following the Shockers. When he tired of Dodge City Community College after his freshman season, WSU was a natural place to land.

Q: Why walk on at WSU?

A: It’s kind of been one of those things where I always wanted to be here. I went to Dodge City last year and I had a good season, but I didn’t get what I wanted out of it. This was my best option.

Q: What other options did you consider?

A: Newman was talking to me. There were some other Division I’s that were showing interest. From what my coach out at Dodge said there were a lot of schools that were interested in me for the following year. I know Arkansas-Little Rock, they were going to offer me in the early period for my junior season.

Q: Describe the role of a walk-on in one sentence:

A: Mine’s going to be a little different, because I’m going to redshirt this year, most likely, and I’m trying to earn a scholarship. So I’m going to be out there playing just as hard as anyone else.

Q: You’re in a pickup game at Koch Arena - who is the Shocker you most dread playing against?

A: For me, it’s Ramon (Clemente), just because he’s a little bit shorter than me, but he’s a lot stronger. I’m more comfortable guarding guys out on the perimeter than in the post, just because I don’t have the body strength. He’s obviously extremely strong.

Q: Favorite NBA player?

A: I don’t watch the NBA that much.

Q: How many texts do you send a day?

A: I don’t know about in a day, but I go over 10,000 in a month. Mainly to my girlfriend.

Awvee Storey has his own page on Hoopedia. Dave Stallworth does not. Neither does Cleo Littleton or Cheese Johnson. It is up to us to right this wrong. Hoopedia is NBA.com’s version of Wikipedia, where one of two things happen: 1) We come together as a community to write an accurate version of history, or 2) Internet idiots try to punk the rest of us (it’s up to you to determine which approach is more appealing). Read More »

WSU’s basketball non-conference schedule is not finished - close, but not finished. Centenary’s is complete, so we now know the Gents (alma mater of Robert Parish) will play Nov. 24 at Koch Arena.

Centenary plays 12 of its first 13 games away from Shreveport, including a road trip that includes North Dakota State and South Dakota State. It plays at Mississippi State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oral Roberts.

Ouch. Feel free to insert your rant about how NCAA Division I is overstuffed with teams that don’t possess the resources necessary to compete. If you have to play that schedule, something is wrong. The Gents were 10-21 last season. Coach Greg Gary is in his first season, and let’s hope he has a long-term contract.

We also know WSU goes to Texas Tech on Dec. 3. The Old Spice Classic plays on Nov. 27, 28 and 30 in Florida. Centenary’s job is give the Shockers a little confidence going into a monster tournament - the field includes Gonzaga, Michigan State, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Siena, Maryland and Georgetown. Somewhere, WSU will fit in home games with UMKC and Northern Arizona. More to come.

Wichita State found what seems to be a perfect fit for its 13th and final scholarship. Forward Gabe Blair (6-8, 217 pounds) said he will transfer from East Carolina to WSU. He told WSU coaches late last week and will sign a grant-in-aid on Monday.

Blair gives the Shockers a good rebounder (he led ECU last season) and another big man to help this season in practice. WSU was so thin on numbers last season that sometimes practices were not competitive enough. A guy like J.T. Durley needs to be pushed hard and play against other talented big men. The same goes for freshmen Garrett Stutz and Ehimen Orupke. This season, it’s not going to be easy for any of the big men. That should help all of them. Coach Gregg Marshall will be able to play players who prove it in practice. Last season, his thin roster left him few choices.

Blair should be ready to step in right away as a junior in 2009-10, when Ramon Clemente and Mantas Griskenas depart. WSU’s front-line depth (Stutz, Orupke, Ellis, Durley) looks good for the immediate future.