Wichita State Basketball: 3 reasons the Shockers will be fine

The Wichita State Shockers lost consecutive AAC contests this week, but it’s not time for the fans or the team to panic.

Wichita State fans were in for a shock this week (sorry) when they lost consecutive games to the SMU Mustangs and Houston Cougars.

Saturday’s loss to the Cougars was particularly galling, with the offense being hounded throughout the first half, forcing a role reversal from the two teams.

The losses were the first two Wichita State has suffered in the AAC, this their first year in the conference. Some expected the Shockers to walk right into the conference and own from the jump. Clearly, some of the established programs – if they can be called that in a five-year-old conference – have other ideas.

Even so, it’s not time for Wichita State fans to panic about the state of their team. They came into the season with expectations that this could be a Final Four squad. Nothing has happened in the past four days that should dispel anybody of that notion.

The road is rockier than it was a week ago, yes. But the talent, the coaching, and the potential are all still there.

Here are three reasons the Shockers will be okay.

1. Markis McDuffie isn’t all the way back

Markis McDuffie is one of the best players on Wichita State, and therefore, in the entire AAC. But a stress fracture derailed much of his season to this point.

There’s no obvious sign that he’s struggling to integrate himself back into play. That doesn’t mean he’s fully recovered from his injury, though.

It could also be a lack of opportunity that’s holding him back.

Coach Gregg Marshall has shown caution in playing McDuffie, failing to insert him back into the starting lineup. McDuffie is averaging just 17 minutes per game since his return and combined for 12 points in the two losses this week.

Either McDuffie isn’t the same player or Marshall knows something the rest of us don’t.

Last year, the junior forward averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting 81.9% from the free thrown line. In eight games this season, he’s averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, shooting 70.6% from the free throw line.

Adjustments are difficult, but it’s better they occur in mid-January than in March. Give it time and McDuffie will become the player everyone expects him to be. Conner Frankamp and Landry Shamet are happy to pick up the slack in the meantime.