Scouting Wichita State’s non-conference opponents
A look at Wichita State’s non-conference opponents with their ranking in Ken Pomeroy’s preseason list and at CBSSports.com.
Charleston Southern (Nov. 13)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 265
CBSSports.com: No. 278
2014-15 record: 19-12 (NIT)
Starters back: F Aaron Wheeler (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Post and Courier: Reloading or rebuilding?
“It’s a new group, but our expectations don’t change. We had a great collection of players that came in together and really knew how to win. They were great competitors, but we don’t talk about who’s not here.”
— Coach Barclay Radebaugh
At Tulsa (Nov. 17)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 45
CBSSports.com: No. 49
2014-15 record: 23-11 (NIT)
Starters back: G James Woodard (14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Shaquille Harrison (13.1, 3.7 apg), F Rashad Smith (8.4, 6.0), G Marquel Curtis (7.3, 3.3), F D’Andre Wright (7.0, 4.4)
Tulsa World: Woodard scores 21 in exhibition win over Rogers State.
Tulsa World: Experienced stars and a strong supporting cast.
Tulsa World: Woodard and Harrison start their final season together.
“Both guys are selfless, and that’s a tremendous quality to have. When you have star-type, quality players and they’re selfless, that makes the world of a difference. Their egos never get in the way.”
— Coach Frank Haith
Emporia State (Nov. 21)
2014-15 record: 12-16
Starters back: G Terrence Moore (16.8 ppg), G Micah Swank (8.3), F Josh Pedersen (6.0, 3.3 rpg) G Tyler Jordan (4.7)
Emporia Gazette: Hornets add size to the roster.
“The biggest thing with chemistry is it going to be about the ‘we’ or the ‘me’? With us, I don’t think it’s about being point-blank selfish, I just think that guys in certain stretches in practice and games think they got to put on their Superman cape and do it themselves.”
— Coach Shaun Vandiver
Southern Cal in Advocare Invitational (Nov. 26)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 55
CBSSports.com: No. 89
2014-15 record: 12-20
Starters back: G Katin Reinhardt (12.5 ppg), G Jordan McLaughlin (12.1, 4.5 apg), F Nikola Jovanovic (12.3, 7.0 rpg), F Darion Clark (5.7, 5.7), G Julian Jacobs (8.4, 4.3)
Yahoo.com: Coach Andy Enfield enters third season after restocking his talent.
“Our goal has always been to build a program that could sustain success. We feel very confident our young players are talented enough and hard enough workers to do that.”
— Coach Andy Enfield
At Saint Louis (Dec. 5)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 153
CBSSports.com: No. 172
2014-15 record: 11-21
Starters back: F Milik Yarbrough (10 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Ash Yacoubou (9.1, 4.8), G Davell Roby (6.5), G Marcus Bartley (4.9)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Offensive shows encouraging signs in exhibition win.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Low expectations make sense for Saint Louis.
“There’s much more maturity than last year. We had a couple of older guys but we didn’t have a tight bond with the older guys. Not that they caused anything. It was no one’s fault. But I feel we communicate much more and get along more than we did last year. The team meshes much better this year.”
— guard Davell Roby
UNLV (Dec. 9)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 106
CBSSports.com: No. 78
2014-15 record: 18-15
Starters back: G Patrick McCaw (9.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Goodluck Okonoboh (5.7, 4.5)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Rebels show depth and versatility in early viewings.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Freshman center stayed home to play for the Rebels.
“A big reason I chose UNLV is the teammates I’m going to be around. Before I even got here, they welcomed me.”
— center Stephen Zimmerman
Utah (Dec. 12 at Intrust Bank Arena)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 12
CBSSports.com: No. 18
Pac-12 poll: 3rd
2014-15 record: 26-9
Starters back: G Brandon Taylor (10.6 ppg), F Chris Reyes (4.3, 3.7 rpg), F Jordan Loveridge (10.0, 3.9), C Jakob Poeltl (9.1, 6.8)
Salt Lake City Tribune: Utes pick up the pace in exhibition game.
“We’re going to try to push the tempo a little bit. We’ve got a deep team. We play at elevation. We should be in decent shape.”
— Coach Larry Krystkowiak
at Seton Hall (Dec. 19)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 83
CBSSports.com: No. 122
2014-15 record: 16-15
Starters back: G Isaiah Whitehead (12.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg), C Angel Delgado (9.3, 9.8)
NJ.com: Distractions ruined last season for the Pirates.
NJ.com: Basketball skills all that mattered when Pirates considered Derrick Gordon.
“They’ve welcomed him. He has been great. He has spent the extra time getting to know the guys. His personal life is his personal life. No one asks me about my personal life, I don’t ask about anyone else’s personal life. So we’re just happy to have him. We’re happy to have a great role model on and off the court.”
— Coach Kevin Willard
Nevada (Dec. 22)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 198
CBSSports.com: No. 198
2014-15 record: 9-22
Starters back: G Eric Cooper (7.3 ppg), G Marqueze Coleman (9.4, 2.8 rpg), G Tyron Criswell (9.2, 4.1), F AJ West (12.1, 11.0), F Lucas Stivrins (2.7)
Reno Gazette-Journal: Arrival of coach Eric Musselman raises hopes for Wolf Pack.
“The biggest thing right now is the willingness to be coached. That’s the No. 1 attribute that’s been a surprise to us, their willingness to be coached and willingness to have an open mind and an open heart because this is a definite culture change for a lot of guys.”
— Coach Eric Musselman
New Mexico State (Dec. 28)
Ken Pomeroy ranking: No. 138
CBSSports.com: No. 120
2014-15 record: 23-11
Starters back: F Pascak Siakam (12.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg), G Ian Baker (9.3, 2.7 apg)
Las Cruces Sun-News: Aggies prepare for shot-clock changes.
“If we don’t get that early look, which good teams are going to take that away most of the time, then we’ll have a chance to settle in, run some good base offense and be aggressive in that way We do want to score a little bit earlier and be conscious of good looks early in the clock.”
— Coach Marvin Menzies