'); } -->
Print edition: Subscribe | Manage Account | E-Eagle: Digital Edition
Paul Suellentrop has been with The Eagle's Sports staff since 2000 and has covered the Shockers since 2005. He is the former sports editor of the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press.
Submitted by tom from Kingman, KS
Q: Paul, I saw Garrett Stutz in front of the camera for a short period of time on the news the other day and it looked to me that he had put on some weight (much needed for him, might I add). Is this the case or did the "face only" image mislead me? Thanks!
Answered 07/13/09 14:08:17 by Paul Suellentrop
A: I think he is getting bigger. I'm supposed to hook up with Kerry Rosenboom later this summer to get some testing numbers from the Shockers, so I will know more then. I can tell you everybody says Stutz is a hard worker who is serious about getting better. I'm sure he will look bigger and more mature as a sophomore.Submitted by shockerfan from wichita
Q: Really like the interviews you are doing with the b'ball players on Shockwaves. Would be great if you could do one every week, would like to see them with all the b'ball and baseball players - as much as your time permits, thx.
Answered 06/23/09 15:43:00 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Thanks. I can't get to everyone. I will try to do some of the new players over the summer.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: I haven't seen any stats for kenny williams jr in the ks in the minors - is he hurt or maybe just can't get any stats on him? Also, did Kevin Hall get a medical RS last yr, will he be a soph or jr this coming season? I think if he is healty he could be a very good clg player, he showed signs of that the end of his frosh yr and beginning of last yr.
Answered 06/17/09 13:37:27 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Kevin Hall will be a sophomore. He redshirted with his back injury. Kenny Williams is hitting .222 with Kanapolis in Class A. I will get his name added to Kansans in the Minors.Submitted by Dean from Cincinnati
Q: I noticed that SIU picked up a commitment from Jack Crowder from Cowley College. I have heard (mostly from Saluki fans) that he is a great pickup for them, but mostly I haven't heard anything about him at all. What is the real scoop here? Were the Shockers (or anybody else) interested in him. Is he D1 quality? Thanks in advance.
Answered 06/09/09 17:29:49 by Paul Suellentrop
A: No idea. I have not seen him play. I did not hear anything about WSU recruiting him, but his position is not one that WSU needed help at. He said TCU also offered him, which seems like a good recommendation. Sorry, can't help you win any arguments. We will have to see how he plays.Submitted by Michael from
Q: Hey, with WSU submitting a NCAA tournament bid, I have some questions regarding that. Do they announce all of the sites for 2011, 2012, and 2013 in September or do they release those on a year by year basis? Secondly what do you think Wichita's chances are of actually winning a bid? I would think that since we are close to KU and OU they would surely think that they could sell out the arena if they sent those teams there. It will be interesting to see. Exciting times...until they raise the seating capacity for first and second rounds.
Answered 06/08/09 11:33:10 by Paul Suellentrop
A: They announce all three seasons in September. I think Wichita has a good chance. Tickets sale are a problem at some first-round sites. Not in Wichita.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: Continuing with Wiggy's comment, it seems like Gene and JT haven't matched Brents recruiting efforts. I wonder if we had a younger coach on the staff if that would help - relate better to recruits to bring them in and a new fresh approach in teaching offense? Guess that isn't feasible without someone leaving, I don't see that happening. Also, I see we have 10 recruits coming in and one Sr leaving, the math doesn't add up (and wouldn't be surprised if we end up with a few more recruits). Since I don't see many (if any) Jr's going pro, it can only mean a LOT of players aren't returning next year?
Answered 06/04/09 09:20:45 by Paul Suellentrop
A: I would say there is zero chance of coaching changes at WSU. There will be many roster changes next season. NCAA rules limiting schools to 27 players on scholarship go into effect. As you point out, WSU loses one senior and adds 10 new players.Submitted by Wiggy from Wichita KS
Q: Why do you think it is that WSU's bats are so poor? This is not a recent phenomenon. There have been solid hitters like Connor G. and Dirks, but has there been a consistent power threat since Blasi? I look at the bats at these other schools, like even KSU and KU, and there is some serious meat to their orders.
Answered 06/03/09 16:38:39 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Drew Moffitt played on the same team as Nick Blasi and led the NCAA in home runs in 2004. That was a good offensive team, ranking No. 14 in batting average (.324) and 15th in slugging percentage (.507). Since then, WSU has not been as good, but poor is too strong (except for 2009). What happened? Talent is probably the No. 1 thing. It is also difficult to compare present stats to past because of changes in bats and scheduling. I don't think Eck Stadium helps WSU's offense, especially early in the season. After visiting Florida State and Oklahoma recently, I can see how a ballpark can make a big difference. There is no doubt the 2009 team was poor offensively and at least one or two others of recent vintage lacked bats. Last season's team hit .314, which ranked 49th nationally. It was 69th in slugging percentage (.473).The 2006 team hit .306 (66th nationally) and slugged .410 (148th nationally). The 2006 team hit .299 (90th) and slugged .423 (112th). Those aren't great offensive numbers, but they are in the top half of the nation. It needs to get better if WSU is going to be a consistent super-regional kind of team. WSU has been a team with stronger pitching than hitting in recent seasons. It has worked for the most part. While you may covet some of KU or K-State hitters, neither has approached WSU's team success.Submitted by Jeff from Wichita
Q: Paul, Noel Johnson is a free agent again and a Las Vegas article mentioned Wichita St as one of his possible schools (per Cheese). What have you heard?
Answered 06/03/09 16:13:51 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Nothing. I will check it out. I know WSU is at 13 scholarships.Submitted by Vic Heckart from Wichita, KS
Q: Paul, I have a friend who has compiled a lot of memorable quotes on WSU sports over the years that he is going to put on a sign on trails around Wichita. There was an article about it in the Eagle several days ago. I'm helping him out. Do you remember the quote from Lute Olsen years ago about the WSU crowd after WSU beat Iowa many years ago, pls?
Answered 06/02/09 12:36:34 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Let me look around. Send me some info about this trail.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: The mistake in the espn article was saying we finished 4th in regular season-finished 3rd, was that it?
Answered 05/29/09 17:04:01 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Bingo.Submitted by T from Wichita
Q: I read and noticed that WSU fans were not rooting for Creighton this weekend against MSU this is because they have the worst most arrogant fans and anytime Creighton loses its a good day. My two favorite teams are WSU and whoever is playing Creighton.
Answered 05/27/09 13:36:57 by Paul Suellentrop
A: There seemed to be a lot of that going around.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: Heard someone say Jordan Cooper might be draft eligible after his soph yr (might be 21 by then?)? Do you know if that is true. Hope we don't lose him after just 2 years. Also, what Jr's (and draft eligible soph's if we have any?) would be most likely to turn pro after this yr?
Answered 05/27/09 13:36:18 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Cooper is draft eligible after his sophomore season because of his age, just like Dusty Coleman was. I don' think the draft will have a big effect on WSU's returners. Ryan Jones is the one most likely to get picked. He may be a late pick, head to the Cape Cod League and see how things go. Tim Kelley is also draft eligible. I would think both would benefit from another season at WSU, but after last summer it is impossible to predict. Tim is not a flame-thrower, so I would be surprised to see him drafted in the early rounds.Submitted by Vic Heckart from Wichita, KS
Q: In your article in the Eagle today, "Summer Shockers", I didn't see Chance Sossaman's name. Where will he be playing summer ball, pls?
Answered 05/27/09 13:33:56 by Paul Suellentrop
A: He will take classes this summer.Submitted by Eddie deRoulet from Houston, TX
Q: Do you know why goshockers.com has very little info on the basketball recruits for next year? both men and women? you have some very basic info last week but WSU has almost no info on them....they just being lazy or slow?
Answered 05/25/09 15:45:18 by Paul Suellentrop
A: I know the university put out releases when the player signed. The Eagle also did stories on them when they committed and when they signed. What information do you want?Submitted by Eddie deRoulet from Houston TX
Q: Can you give us your take on the 3 kids WSU has signed for basketball, will any of them be immediate help? How about the womens program, any help coming their way?
Answered 05/21/09 09:55:07 by Paul Suellentrop
A: WSU has signed four men's players for next season - guard Kenny Manigault, forward Jerome Hamilton, guard Tyler Richardson and guard Demetric Williams. My guess is Manigault is the most likely to play significant minutes as a freshman. I'm also hearing good things about Williams, but it's a crowded backcourt. The women's team has lots of help on the way. Four jc transfers and four freshmen.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: Do you think there are any other Uni players that might end up at WSU?
Answered 05/19/09 17:34:42 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Not that I'm aware of.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: I almost feel like my question the other day was a pre-curser to Nate Robertson being placed on the DL. My question is on the MVC tourn, will WSU play in the 7pm game on Wed no matter what their seed? Know in most years the opening day of the tourn we usually play the evening game, probably helps attendance to have us in at least one evening game during the tourn.
Answered 05/14/09 16:00:08 by Paul Suellentrop
A: WSU will play the 7 p.m. game each night.Submitted by dan from wichita
Q: See Nate Robertson hasn't pitched in a long time for the Tigers, any ideas what he's out for and how long he's out for? Also, noticed the kid we signed in baseball yesterday wasn't really recruited by any other D1 schools very hard, your thoughts on that?
Answered 05/12/09 15:21:21 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Nate pitched May 5. He is not on the disabled list. He has moved to the bullpen. I haven't seen Walker Davidson, so I don't know anything about his skills. Sometimes the schools who recruited a player are a good gauge of how good he is. Sometimes it means he is a late bloomer or the other schools missed something. We will find out how he develops over the next several years.Submitted by shockerfan from wichita
Q: Could you give a brief run down of the players signed so far for next years baseball team, including their positions?
Answered 05/08/09 22:17:02 by Paul Suellentrop
A: INF Nate Goro from Wildwood, Mo. RHP Garrett Gould of Maize. OF Micah Green from Denver. LPH Aaron LaBrie from Sioux Falls, S.D. RHP Tobin Mateychick from Enid, Okla. RPH T.J. McGreevy from Topeka. 3B/1B Preston Springer from Odessa College. OF Garrett Bayliff from Oklahoma. My guess is Gould is a longshot to survive the draft, but you never know. It appears Green and Mateychick are the other biggest risks, although as last summer proved the draft is unpredictable.Submitted by Shakira from wichita
Q: could the fact that the shockers suck so bad have an influence on the decision of that maize stud pitcher to go to wsu or go pro?
Answered 05/06/09 14:32:41 by Paul Suellentrop
A: Sure. But I think where he is drafted is much more important. WSU is not likely to continue struggling, and I'm sure Garrett Gould can figure that out.