Sunday, January 16th, 2022
1:00 PM
Charles Koch Arena
ESPN
The Shockers (9-6, 0-3 AAC, NET #88, KenPom #89) are off to a rough start in conference play, dropping their first three games including home losses to Memphis (by 18) and Tulane. They put together some impressive showings in the non-conference, beating Oklahoma St on the road and taking Arizona to overtime on a neutral floor.
WSU's recent slide is largely due to their defense, which had been stellar before the calendar turned to 2022. They have given up more than a point per possession in each of their conference losses, but did so only once in 12 non-conference games. Overall, their defense is still ranked #26 in the country. They are particularly good at defending the three point line, blocking shots, and forcing turnovers.
On offense, WSU has been below average this season. Tyson Etienne is struggling to shoot the ball after a great sophomore season. He takes more than 8 threes per game but makes under 32%. He is also shooting sub-40% inside the arc and has a higher turnover rate than assist rate. Etienne doesn't get to the rim very often either, with just one attempt per game. It all adds up to an ORtg under 97, a far cry from the 115 he posted a year ago.
The rest of the team is not much better shooting the ball. The Shockers are most efficient at the free throw line, where they shoot 74% as a team. Big man Morris Udeze is the most efficient scorer, though his minutes are often limited due to foul trouble. He has fouled out in 20 minutes or less 3 times so far this season. Udeze and Dexter Dennis both sat out the last game against Tulane due to Covid protocols.
I think the keys to game are taking care of the ball and keeping them off the free throw line.
1:00 PM
Charles Koch Arena
ESPN
The Shockers (9-6, 0-3 AAC, NET #88, KenPom #89) are off to a rough start in conference play, dropping their first three games including home losses to Memphis (by 18) and Tulane. They put together some impressive showings in the non-conference, beating Oklahoma St on the road and taking Arizona to overtime on a neutral floor.
WSU's recent slide is largely due to their defense, which had been stellar before the calendar turned to 2022. They have given up more than a point per possession in each of their conference losses, but did so only once in 12 non-conference games. Overall, their defense is still ranked #26 in the country. They are particularly good at defending the three point line, blocking shots, and forcing turnovers.
On offense, WSU has been below average this season. Tyson Etienne is struggling to shoot the ball after a great sophomore season. He takes more than 8 threes per game but makes under 32%. He is also shooting sub-40% inside the arc and has a higher turnover rate than assist rate. Etienne doesn't get to the rim very often either, with just one attempt per game. It all adds up to an ORtg under 97, a far cry from the 115 he posted a year ago.
The rest of the team is not much better shooting the ball. The Shockers are most efficient at the free throw line, where they shoot 74% as a team. Big man Morris Udeze is the most efficient scorer, though his minutes are often limited due to foul trouble. He has fouled out in 20 minutes or less 3 times so far this season. Udeze and Dexter Dennis both sat out the last game against Tulane due to Covid protocols.
I think the keys to game are taking care of the ball and keeping them off the free throw line.