The Shockers’ shooters will continue to do what shooters do
If anyone had a thought that Landry Shamet and Conner Frankamp might shoot less in No. 16 Wichita State’s game at Temple on Thursday due to their recent shooting slumps, WSU coach Gregg Marshall wanted to end any speculation.
Yes, Shamet is mired in a career-worst shooting slump and Frankamp was shut out for the first time in 52 games last time out. Together they are averaging 11 points and shooting 20.8 percent in the last three games.
But this is the same Shamet who is a career 44-percent three-point shooter and Frankamp who owns the school record of making a three-pointer in 40 consecutive games.
“I don’t care if they’re in the gym or watching a movie over at the Warren Theatre,” Marshall said on his radio show on Monday. “I’m going to let them shoot when they get an opportunity. I’ve seen it enough. It’s not like all of a sudden they’re not making it, so they can’t shoot and I’m going to give them a yellow light. That’s not how it works.”
It frustrates Shamet that his shooting has become a topic. He’s missed 17 of 18 three-pointers and averaged 5.7 points in WSU’s last three games.
He credits his teammates for helping him through the funk, as he spends additional time outside of practice to regain his touch.
“They know me well and know I’m already hard enough on myself when it comes to shooting,” Shamet said. “They handle it well and they’re good teammates when it comes to understanding when to say something and when not to say anything. It’s basketball, it happens. Everybody goes through this.”
The hope is that different rims in a different environment will be a welcomed change.
“We just let him know we think he’s a heck of a player and a great shooter and to keep shooting and by God, make one,” Marshall said. “Let’s get this streak over with. Let’s go back to the 50-something-percent guy.”
Even with the shooting struggles of WSU’s two primary sharpshooters, the team scored 81 points against a stingy Central Florida defense and 90 points on Tulsa.
Not only did WSU’s offense return to its efficient ways after back-to-back losses, but so did its ball movement. The Shockers had assists on nearly 72 percent (43 of 60) of their baskets in 19-point wins over UCF and Tulsa and now rank seventh in the country in assist percentage at 64.3 percent.
Shamet and Frankamp help with that, even when they’re not hitting shots.
“When they’re on the court, you still have to guard them because you feel like at any time they can get it going,” WSU’s Austin Reaves said. “It spaces the court out for everybody else and they do a good job of making plays for other guys.”
Another recent trend Marshall hopes to carry over on the road is the strong play from WSU’s posts.
Shaquille Morris was WSU’s best player last week, scoring 39 combined points. Rashard Kelly grabbed 21 rebounds, and he had eight assists against Tulsa. Rauno Nurger provided strong rebounding (12) and Darral Willis scored 27 points in 35 minutes.
“What I love is that those guys are pulling for one another as much as anyone,” Marshall said. “If they’re actors, they’re really good at it. It looks like they’re all about the other guy, whoever is on the floor. It could be their competition or the deep reserves, but our guys are really into the success of their teammates.”
This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 4:39 PM with the headline "The Shockers’ shooters will continue to do what shooters do."