Busting Brackets
Fansided

AAC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Holden Walter-Warner

Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars players and coaches celebrate as confetti falls after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars players and coaches celebrate as confetti falls after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bearcats guard Mike Saunders Jr. Wichita State Shockers guard Craig Porter Jr.  Wichita State Shockers At Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Mike Saunders Jr. Wichita State Shockers guard Craig Porter Jr.  Wichita State Shockers At Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball /

. . . Shockers . 9. team. 1481

Wichita State has been a perennial contender since joining the AAC, even when Gregg Marshall was ousted from the program. The known stars of yesteryear are gone, however, and the Shocker fan base could be in for a shock this season.

Last season, Isaac Brown’s first after being named permanent head coach, Wichita State went 15-13, including 6-9 in AAC play. That record wasn’t good enough to get the Shockers into the postseason, only their second time missing the NCAA Tournament since 2012 (excluding the COVID year).

Despite the lackluster record, that team had plenty of talent. Tyson Etienne, Dexter Dennis, Ricky Council IV, and Morris Udeze were all on the roster last season. All are gone.

Craig Porter Jr. is tasked with picking up the mantle. The senior guard moved into the starting lineup last season, averaging 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was also the first player in conference history to finish top ten in both assists and blocks. His all-around game will serve Wichita State well.

Another senior guard who should be a difference-maker is Colby Rogers, a transfer from Siena. He was Second Team All-MAAC last year, averaging 14.1 points per game while hitting 42.9 percent of his threes. This is Rogers’ third program; he started with Cal Poly.

The development of big man Kenny Pohto could give the Shockers their next star. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, proving to be an efficient scorer while backing up Udeze. With nobody ahead of him on the depth chart, the frontcourt is his for the taking.

Losing Council, Dennis, and Udeze in the transfer portal, however, was a devastating blow for the Shockers. A full rebuild is the next step.