Shocker Madness (with rings and dunks) is back: What Wichita State fans need to know
After a four-year absence, Shocker Madness is back and this time jewelry will be involved.
Not only will the slam dunk and three-point contests return for the first time since 2017, but the highlight of the night will be when the Wichita State men’s basketball players receive their American Athletic Conference championship rings to kick off the night.
After being treated to just intrasquad scrimmages on a Saturday afternoon in 2018 and 2019, Shocker fans will see that and plenty more when Shocker Madness returns to Koch Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. with doors opening an hour early.
It will be the first and only chance for WSU fans to see the basketball teams before they each open their season with an exhibition game against Missouri State Southern at Koch Arena — the men play on Monday, Nov. 1; the women play on Thursday, Nov. 4.
The night is scheduled to kick off with introductions of both teams, followed by a ring ceremony for the Shocker men. A three-point contest involving players from both teams will be next, then the slam dunk contest. The night will conclude with the intrasquad scrimmages for the women’s and men’s teams.
There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the WSU men’s team with veterans and fan favorites back in sophomore guard Tyson Etienne, the reigning AAC Co-Player of the Year, junior wing Dexter Dennis, junior center Morris Udeze, sophomore forward Monzy Jackson and freshman wing Ricky Council IV. The team’s newcomers also hold a lot of interest with two ready-to-go transfers in forward Joe Pleasant and guard Qua Grant to go along with a trio of talented freshmen in center Kenny Pohto, wing Jalen Ricks and forward Isaac Abidde.
The return of the dunk contest coincides with arguably WSU’s most athletic roster to date. Council is likely the favorite after showing his ability to throw down jaw-dropping dunks, both before and during games, while Dennis also has a reputation as a high flier. Abidde, a 6-foot-9 freshman, could be a dark horse in the competition after impressing coaches and teammates with his athleticism since arriving on campus, while Jackson and freshman Chaunce Jenkins also could be involved in the contest.
The optimism isn’t just saved for the men’s team, as coach Keitha Adams believes this could be the breakthrough year for the women’s team with all five starters back and more than 90% of the team’s scoring returning from last season. The women’s team is led by returners like Asia Strong, Mariah McCully, Seraphine Bastin, Trajata Colbert and Carla Bremaud.
This story was originally published October 5, 2021 at 11:31 AM.
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