Wichita State Basketball: Ranking 2019-20 non-conference opponents

Wichita State Basketball: Ranking Shockers 2019-20 non-conference opponents

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 19: Head coach Gregg Marshall of the Wichita State Shockers reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Trayvon Reed #5 of the Texas Southern Tigers reacts against the Xavier Musketeers during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

12. Abilene Christian Wildcats (Dec 29)

2018-19 record: 27-7 (14-4)

it was a record-setting season for the Southland program, despite losing two of their top players Jalone Friday and BJ Maxwell late in the year. They were dismissed and with the graduations of other starters Jaren Lewis and Jaylen Franklin, only senior guard Payten Ricks remains of note from the 27-win team. Unless he becomes a 20 ppg scorer, it’s hard to see the Wildcats having anything near they did a year ago.

11. Texas Southern Tigers (Nov 9)

2018-19 record: 24-14 (14-4)

The perennial SWAC powerhouse should finally be vulnerable in their conference next season, losing the team’s top three scorers and five of their top seven. Guards John Jones and Tyrik Armstrong (7.7 ppg each last season) will lead the way and the hope is that UMass transfer forward Chris Baldwin will be an instant impact player. But no 7’2 center Trayvon Redd means that the Tigers will be much easier to score on down low.

10. Central Arkansas Bears (Dec 5)

2018-19 record: 14-19 (8-10)

The Bears won’t have their leading scorer next season in Thatch Unruh but will have most of the rest of their roster back. That includes 7’0 center Hayden Koval, who recorded a triple-double as a freshman. With Abeline Christian coming down a level, Central Arkansas could make a move in the Southland.

9. Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (Nov 16)

2018-19 record: 12-19 (6-12)

With the transfer of double-digit scorer Preston Parks, the Skyhawks lost four of their top six scorers from a year ago. But the return of forward Quintin Dove and guard Derek Hawthorne should keep them in a good spot in the OVC. What makes UT-Martin really dangerous is if senior guard Craig Randall can come back completely healthy. He averaged a team-leading 16.3 ppg in 12 games played before going down with an injury. His return should boost the team to make up for the lost production.