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.