Wichita State Basketball: Time for the Shockers to panic?

WICHITA, KS - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Gregg Marshall of the Wichita State Shockers yells out instructions against the College of Charleston Cougars during the first half on November 13, 2017 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

It may be time for the Wichita State Shockers to panic after a road upset at the hands of the Temple Owls that included 16 turnovers.

Two consecutive losses in January caused heart rates to elevate among fans of the Wichita State Shockers. While the losses were unexpected, it seemed too early to overreact to a couple of tough games. February is upon the college basketball world, though. Thursday’s loss at the Temple Owls may finally be a reason to give pause about Wichita State.

In the first half of Thursday’s game, Wichita State appeared confident. They only led by eight points, but they scored 48 points and were having their way with the Temple defense.

In the second half, though, everything changed. The Shockers turned the ball over 10 times after the halftime buzzer (including overtime). Additionally, they shot just 10% from three-point range in the second half.

Live Feed

Max Abmas enters transfer portal: 5 best destinations for Oral Roberts star /

FanSided

Wichita State vs. Houston prediction and odds for Thursday, March 2 (Expect a shootout)FanSided

Wichita State vs. Temple prediction and odds for Thursday, February 16FanSided

Houston vs. Wichita State prediction and odds for Thursday, February 2FanSided

Cincinnati Basketball: Jeremiah Davenport leads Bearcats to crucial road win at Wichita StateCincy on the Prowl

Best College Basketball Odds for Every Game Today (Odds, Spreads and Totals for Tuesday, December 13)Betsided

The struggles were enough to allow Temple – who now sports a 4-6 record in AAC play – to build momentum and force overtime, where they scored the last seven points to win 81-79. Temple is a better team than their record suggests. They were No. 44 in RPI heading into the game, done in by a really challenging schedule. With all due respect, this wasn’t a loss to Mississippi Valley State.

But the Shockers aren’t rising to the challenge the way they should. They held a 10-rebound edge on Thursday, yet that’s not a replacement for playing solid defense and closing out opponents.

Markis McDuffie had 11 points and eight rebounds, but it was his first time hitting that scoring mark since Jan. 13; it took him an extra few minutes to reach it this time. Meanwhile, Rashard Kelly is nothing more than a decoy on the offensive end. In 33 minutes, he took just five shots, making one while missing his only free throw. He only grabbed one offensive rebound, too.

Next: 3 teams who have turned things around

At 7-3 in conference play, the No. 16 Wichita State Shockers are still in second place in the AAC. Their struggles are beginning to look less like the exception, however, and more like the rule. Will we the Shockers get back on track in the near future?