Ron Baker the Basket Maker

[Bluzrover]

The Shox are 41 and 3 when Mr. Baker starts over the past two seasons. Last night's effort helps explain why. Ron had a terrific game (5 TOs notwithstanding) and kept the Shox close to SIU while Fred rode the pine in foul trouble. While it's true the team plays differently offensively when Ron is running the point, the drop off is negligible. This really bodes well for the upcoming tournament run and should take us well into April.

Ron's stats for the last five games: 21-48 FGs for .437, 14 rebounds for 2.8/game, 60 points for 12/game, 17 assists for 3.4/game, 6-25 3p for .240, and 12-15 FTs for .800.

[newshock1234]

actually we are 39 and 2 when Baker starts

[wsushox1]

Actually Cle kept the game close and then Ron finished it out very strong, but I digress.

[ShockerPhi]

Ron also has 19 blocks on the year, good for 0.73 Blocks per game.

That stat beats out Cleanthony by one block for 3rd best on the team in Blocks per game. If I remember right, Ron had 3 blocks just last night.

When you compare Cleanthony and Ron's stats on the year, they are surprisingly comparable.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2724/wichita-state-shockers

[WuShock Reaper]

WOW! Ron really is a basket maker:

Ron the Basket Maker.jpg

[SHOXAAC]

actually we are 39 and 2 when Baker starts

Since when has being accurate ever been important on SN?

[MadaboutWu]

Is 41-3 our record when he plays? Anyone have that to hand?

[im4wsu]

Is 41-3 our record when he plays? Anyone have that to hand?

Could be, he played in 18 and started 15 last year. Lost the Creighton tourney game that he did not start.

[Bluzrover]

They were 9-1 last year when he went down with his foot injury, I thought he had started all of those games, including the Creighton game. Even if the record is 39-2, I think the point is still valid, we're winning 93% or 95% of the games he plays. The guy is just a solid player. That three he tossed after Wessel saved the rebound was at least 25 foot from the basket and was nothing but net. Just a thing of beauty. He's a head's up player and I'm not ashamed to say I have a bit of a man crush on the guy.

[ABC]

I think Tennessee was his last regular season game.

[Royalno5]

I listened to Bob Lutz's crap about how Ron should be 2nd string all valley. We should have three first team and Cotton should be at least 2nd string.

[KC Shox]

Other than his 3pt FG PCT, his play has been terrific considering he's doing it on a bad wheel. As long as you ramps up his 3 pt shooting during the post season, which will be needed when we face Syracuse in the national championship game, his poor shooting now will be forgotten.

[shockmonster]

Other than his 3pt FG PCT, his play has been terrific considering he's doing it on a bad wheel. As long as you ramps up his 3 pt shooting during the post season, which will be needed when we face Syracuse in the national championship game, his poor shooting now will be forgotten.

35% shooting isn't poor shooting. It may not be great but he isn't a poor shooter even on a bad wheel.

[Shockeriffic]

35% shooting isn't poor shooting. It may not be great but he isn't a poor shooter even on a bad wheel.

I think the point was that Baker was shooting 40% before the injury and is shooting 33% after it. Of course, before the injury Baker was a 50/40/90 shooter. It's impossible to tell how much should be chalked up to simple regression from an insane stretch of great play and what should be chalked up to injury.

[shockmonster]

Other than his 3pt FG PCT, his play has been terrific considering he's doing it on a bad wheel.

Ok, You and I read this differently.

KC is obviously criticizing him as a bad shooter that needs to improve. It is said that "other than his 3pt. FG PCT, his play has been terrific even though he has been doing it on a bad wheel.