2024-25 Shocker WBB Non-Conference Games

[1972Shocker]

Technically this game is the Shockers 2024-25 official season opener. As a practical matter it has the look and feel of a 2nd Exhibition game. In fact, the opponent, D-II Oklahoma Christian out of Edmund Oklahoma does list it on their schedule as an Exhibition game. However, this game will count in WSU's season record, although will not be no effect on the NET and RPI ratings.

WBB Preview: vs. Oklahoma Christian (Nov. 4)

OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN (0-0) vs. WICHITA STATE (0-0)
Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 | 11 a.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena
TV: ESPN+ with Tracey Anderson and Denning Gerig
Radio: GoShockers.com/Listen with Pat Strathman
USD 259 Kids Day: We welcome in students, faculty and staff from Wichita Public Schools to cheer on the Shockers in their regular-season home-opener!

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Led by third-year head coach Markeith Brown, the Eagles are coming off a 6-20 season. Redshirt-junior forward Taylor Jackson is Oklahoma Christian's top returner, averaging 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 2023-24. The Eagles were picked 14th of 16 teams in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Oklahoma Christian dropped its Oct. 29 exhibition to Oklahoma 114-47. Nakia Cullom was the lone Eagle to score in double figures, tallying 14 points. Jackson led the team in rebounding with nine. On Saturday, Nov. 3rd OCU be NAIA York (NE) University 85-48.

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Oklahoma Christian may not be as good at the Shocks' exhibition opponent Northeastern State, so I don't expect this game will shed much light on the Shocks will stack up this year.

This is the annual Schoolhouse Screamfest which would account for the game time and Non-D1 opponent. Getting this out of the way early this year. This actually make some sense doing it this way if your going to do this event. Make it a effectively a 2nd exhibition game for the school kids who won't know the difference and get it out of the way.

[1972Shocker]

Wichita State Women’s Basketball
@GoShockersWBB

UPDATE: Due to unexpected travel delays caused by weather in Oklahoma, the game will now tip off at 11:45 a.m.!

[SubGod22]

Unexpected? Was nobody watching the weather?

[RoyalShock]

I only watched the last half of the 4th quarter, but some box score observations . . .

- Only up 6 in the 4th quarter at home to a non-D1 who only won 6 games last year.
- 37% FG (27-73)
- 18.8% 3FG (3-16)
- 39.1% FT (9-23)
- 17 turnovers
- 19 rebound advantage
- 6 more assists

I know the stats can't be compared to men's but the rebounding advantage is the only area where WSU statistically looked like a D1 team playing a D2. And no D1 team should go 9-23 from the line. Yikes. It's early, but doesn't look like a step forward for Nooner's squad. It won't look good if he can't get decently more than 10 wins this year.

[WuDrWu]

Unexpected? Was nobody watching the weather?

The Love's Travel Store was low on Monster Energy Drink for the drive up and White Claw for the drive back. This took time to overcome.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks win 66-52 in a not very impressive performance.

How do you outrebound a D-2 team 57-38 and turn them over 22 times and only manage a 66-52 win? 3-16 (18.75%) shooting on 3-pointers, 9-23 (39.1%) from the free throw line and 17 turnovers against a what looked to be a pack line defensive approach.

I didn't think this game would provide a lot of answers about the Shockers but it may have provided opposing coaches with a plan on how to defend the Shocks including some kind of Hack-a-Shaq approach. In two games vs D-2 competition the Shockers are 26-60 (43.3%) from the free throw line.

After seeing this team in action for the first time I am not especially encouraged. It is only one game. But based on that game I am hard pressed top see more than 3 or 4 wins by the Shocks against the 11 D-1 opponents on their non-con schedule. Time will tell on that.