Wichita State Basketball: 3 reasons the Shockers will make the Final Four

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: Wichita State Shockers fans cheer on the team in the second half against the Louisville Cardinals during the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Georgia Dome on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – JANUARY 25: Rauno Nurger /

1. Incredible inside

Rebounding becomes an important skill for a team in March. Every shot matters just a little bit more, so every opportunity to change possession or keep a possession alive becomes valued.

Not many teams are better on the boards than the Wichita State Shockers.

The team averaged 40.5 rebounds per game this season, ranking them ninth in the nation. The only NCAA Tournament teams better in this department are Michigan State, Texas A&M, New Mexico State, Duke, and North Carolina.

Interestingly, the Shockers don’t rank in the Top 15 in offensive or defensive rebounds per game, individually. That suggests consistency crashing the boards on both ends of the floor.

Rashard Kelly leads the way as a rebounding and defensive specialist for the Shockers. He only averages 5.7 points per game, but flip those digits to find his 7.5 rebounds per game. His 12 rebounds in the AAC Tournament loss to the Houston Cougars kept the Shockers alive.

The next best rebounders on the team are Darral Willis Jr. and Shaquille Morris, who combine to bring down 11.5 rebounds per game. It’s a team effort, though, with stars Landry Shamet and Markis McDuffie also pulling down at least three boards a game.

Wichita State will not be intimidated inside.