Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2019-2020 season

By Brian Rauf

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers, watches the action during the game against the Charleston Cougars at HP Field House on November 25, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Penny Hardaway, head coach of the Memphis Tigers, watches the action during the game against the Charleston Cougars at HP Field House on November 25, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – FEBRUARY 18: Gregg Marshall the head coach of the Witchita State Shockers gives instructions to his team during the 76-72 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB&T Arena on February 18, 2018 in Highland Heights, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – FEBRUARY 18: Gregg Marshall the head coach of the Witchita State Shockers gives instructions to his team during the 76-72 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB&T Arena on February 18, 2018 in Highland Heights, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5) Wichita State Shockers

This past season was an understandable rebuilding year for Gregg Marshall & Co. as they had to replace virtually everyone from their rotation.

The good news is that they now enter the 2019-2020 season with a team full of returners that seem ready to take a step forward.

Outside of Markis McDuffie and Samajae Haynes-Jones, everyone will be back for the Shockers. It took a while for this young group to get going but they closed the season winning 14 of their last 18 games.

They’re hoping to continue that momentum, but the biggest key to doing that will be their ability to find a go-to scorer or two. McDuffie and Haynes-Jones were Wichita’s two leading scorers and the only two that averaged double figures.

Jaime Echenique was a productive scorer in limited minutes while Dexter Dennis also has the potential to be that guy.

Don’t get me wrong – the Shockers will still rely on their defense and a balanced attack – but they need a few players to bring more of a scoring punch.