Wichita State vs. Emporia State Game Thread 12-18-20

[The Mad Hatter]

Cotton really didn’t become the basketball player you are touting until the end of his Junior and into his Senior year. He wasn’t a good shooter until after we lost the MVC Tournament (F 4 time he turned it on). Dexter has more potential than you give him credit for and his ball handling has improved this year.

That's not really true. Tekele's worst shooting season was actually his senior year. You may also be confusing the years, since the Final Four year was his sophomore season. Here are his shooting stats for all 4 years:

Year	FG%	3FG%
Freshman	50.8%	34.8%
Sophomore	44.0%	36.4%
Junior	45.2%	37.1%
Senior	41.2%	28.9%

For comparison purposes, here are Dex's numbers so far (not entire fair comparison since we are just starting this year and Tekele got to play on more successful teams in a different conference):

Year	FG%	3FG%
Freshman	39.9%	40.0%
Sophomore	34.8%	33.6%
Junior	27.9%	32.0%

[Shockm]

Interesting that you feel that way.

His worst shooting year was his senior year: 41.2 FG% , 28.9 3pt%

His best FG% was his freshman year at 50.8%

HIs best 3pt% was his junior year at 37.1%. He shot his second best 3pt% his sophomore year at 36.4%.

Now his best FT% was his senior year at 70.5%.

I just remember that Cotton was good in the F 4 and against Kentucky shooting. Your 70 percent free throw number shows a lack of consistent shooting and DD was better than that last year.

[Stickboy46]

I will when I see better results.

Wonder what you said when we LOST to Tulsa at Tulsa ....

[ShockTalk]

I just remember that Cotton was good in the F 4 and against Kentucky shooting. Your 70 percent free throw number shows a lack of consistent shooting and DD was better than that last year.

I'm not touting his senior year FT%, just saying that was the only type shooting % that was better in his senior year. He was better at FG% and 3pt% in his freshman, sophomore, and juniors years than his senior.

Cotton also had a point guard like career A/TO ratio of 1.83. But then he was a PG in high school. To date, DD is at 0.84 (more TOs than assists.

[ShockTalk]

I just remember that Cotton was good in the F 4 and against Kentucky shooting. Your 70 percent free throw number shows a lack of consistent shooting and DD was better than that last year.

As far as "consistent shooting", I'll take Cotton. He never shot under 40% FG. DD is yet to shoot 40% and went down his sophomore year, and is further down so far his junior.

[WeWillShockU]

DD gives us defense first. He always guards the best opponent. I am sure that this hurts his offensive production.

[SB Shock]

DD gives us defense first. He always guards the best opponent. I am sure that this hurts his offensive production.

Didn't hurt Cotton, Baker, Fred....

Cotton was a consistent 3pt shooter, not great one but you had to guard him (34% for his career). DD is 36% for his career which is about the same as Cotton. But the real difference is at their 2pt %. Cotton knocked down 50% of 2pt shots, while DD is only 37% from 2pt. Cotton could also get to the line about twice as much as DD.

It would be nice to see a shot chart comparison - I bet you will find that Cotton was able to take the ball inside and get high % shots and fouls. DD pretty much gets only 3pt shots, and when he is inside the 3pt line, he is not getting to the basket and drawing fouls, he is taking lower % 2pt shots.

[ShockTalk]

DD gives us defense first. He always guards the best opponent. I am sure that this hurts his offensive production.

I agree ......... but a little confused as well.

This depends on position and size of opponent. Many times, Cotton was undersized (2" shorter than DD) compared to his assignment and also took on top scorers. Cotton was a defense first player, too. Could this affect his offensive production as well?

[shock]

Didn't hurt Cotton, Baker, Fred....

Cotton was a consistent 3pt shooter, not great one but you had to guard him (34% for his career). DD is 36% for his career which is about the same as Cotton. But the real difference is at their 2pt %. Cotton knocked down 50% of 2pt shots, while DD is only 37% from 2pt. Cotton could also get to the line about twice as much as DD.

It would be nice to see a shot chart comparison - I bet you will find that Cotton was able to take the ball inside and get high % shots and fouls. DD pretty much gets only 3pt shots, and when he is inside the 3pt line, he is not getting to the basket and drawing fouls, he is taking lower % 2pt shots.

Cotton took higher percentage shots. It’s hard to miss a dunk.

[SubGod22]

Dex takes a lot more jump shots than Cotton did. I love both players but you can't exactly compare the two with simple numbers. Dexter is also relied on more offensively than TC was most of his career.

[pie n eye]

NM butterfingers

[Shockm]

Interesting that you feel that way.

His worst shooting year was his senior year: 41.2 FG% , 28.9 3pt%

His best FG% was his freshman year at 50.8%

HIs best 3pt% was his junior year at 37.1%. He shot his second best 3pt% his sophomore year at 36.4%.

Now his best FT% was his senior year at 70.5%.

You need to look closer at Cotton’s stats.

Cotton.
MPG. Fr 9.8. 3Pt 8-23. FT% 64.3
So23.7. 24-66. 53.7
Jr 30.1. 43-116. 69.2
Sr 31.8. 33-114. 70.1
Dennis
MPG Fr 26. 54-135 66.1
So 25.8. 51-152. 84.6
5 gams. 30. 8-25.

Cotton’s lilies asked of Cotton his Fr. on either offense or Defense. Murry was our main player with Kyles playing too. After they left Cotton did more but mainly on defense. It wasn’t until his junior year, he took on major minutes.
Dexter has been a major part of both offense and defense both years. His free throw percentage last year shows consistency of shooting.

[WeWillShockU]

I agree ......... but a little confused as well.

This depends on position and size of opponent. Many times, Cotton was undersized (2" shorter than DD) compared to his assignment and also took on top scorers. Cotton was a defense first player, too. Could this affect his offensive production as well?

DD has played against better competition in conference play. Big difference between MVC and AAC players. AAC guys are consistently bigger and more athletic. Cotton is probably my favorite player during GM’s tenure but I don’t know if he has the size to take on some of the guys DD has guarded.

[Ted Lasso's Neighbor]

ESU played again this afternoon - 3rd game in 3 days and played at home like game 1 - and won 73-64. I'm sure those players are looking forward to a well-deserved break as their next game isn't until December 30th.

[1972Shocker]

I know the analytics guys want to turn basketball into a strict 3 point/layup/dunk/free throw game but you can’t just completely abandon the midrange, especially if you’re shooting wide open shots that you can hit at a high %.

It just seems to me like the stop and pop mid-range shot is becoming a bit of a lost art. But that isn't necessarily all on the shoulders of the players. Apparently, it is not something coaches/trainers are particularly teaching and pushing as an effective tool. Maybe there is a good reason for that but I think it is an effective tool to have in your tool bag.