Shockers look to embrace identity better in search of first AAC win on road at Temple

The Wichita State men’s basketball team was looking for a fresh start with the start of American Athletic Conference play.

Instead, the Shockers were delivered a stern reality check on Thursday in a 74-62 loss to North Texas at Koch Arena for their fifth loss in the last six games.

If WSU doesn’t embrace its identity as a defense-and-rebounding team, it’s not going to win very many games out-shooting opponents. That much was clear after the Shockers posted another subpar shooting line against North Texas, which included 42% shooting on 2-pointers, 30% shooting on 3-pointers and 56% shooting on free throws.

“We can’t be cute out there and think we’re going to turn around and make a bunch of threes and win games,” WSU first-year head coach Paul Mills said. “Our inability at the free throw line speaks to where we’re at skill-set wise. We’ve got a ways to go there. But we have to embrace (our identity) better. Our defensive intensity picked up, but it can’t pick up after you’re down 14. That has to happen from the jump. Some of that was my fault on the count of the rotations.

“But we’ve got to be a lot grittier than what we were (tonight) in order to give ourselves a chance in conference play.”

WSU has learned in recent years nothing is given in AAC play, especially on the road, where the Shockers (8-6) will head for Sunday’s noon game at Temple (7-7) in a game pitting two teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start in conference play.

The game against one of the lower-rated teams in the conference (Temple is No. 206 in KenPom’s efficiency metrics) feels even more important considering WSU’s next two games are against current top-25 teams in No. 15 Memphis and No. 17 Florida Atlantic.

“The goal right now is just, ‘How do you go 1-0,’” Mills said. “Let’s just figure out how to go 1-0 on Sunday. In order to go 1-0 on Sunday, we need to go 1-0 (on Friday). We need to do a good job with our recovery and do a good job in the film room and then you have a travel day on Saturday. We need to really get dialed in on the things we need to do, but I’m telling you we’re just trying to go 1-0.”

While WSU has lost the rebounding battle in three straight games and hasn’t held an opponent under 1 point per possession for eight straight games, the Shockers are also in desperate need of a jolt on offense. Thursday marked the fifth straight loss where WSU has failed to crack 1 point per possession.

Unforced turnovers and live-ball turnovers continue to plague WSU, which not only ends possession for its offense but also puts its defense in compromising situations and helps spark fast-break chances for the opposition.

“I’ve got to try to find the right pace and stick to the offense and just try not to do too much,” said point guard Bijan Cortes, who has had 10 turnovers in his three games since becoming eligible. “Not trying to make the home-run play. Coach says that all of the time, not trying to make the home-run play and just make the simple play and create for others without the dumb mistakes.”

After a strong start to the season, WSU junior Kenny Pohto has been in a month-long slump. He averaged 13.9 points on 54.4% shooting, which included 4.8 2-pointers per game, in WSU’s 7-1 start to the year, but has since averaged 7.5 points on 30% shooting, which has included just 1.5 2-pointers per game, in the last six games.

Mills said WSU has tried to find ways to restore Pohto’s confidence, but with so few of his shots falling right now, Pohto has struggled with his self-belief.

“Right now it’s tough for him to drive, it’s tough against physical guys around the blocks and shots aren’t falling for him on the perimeter,” Mills said. “Sometimes you can get in your own head. We need to find a way to get Kenny going.”

The good news for WSU is that Temple isn’t a particularly stout defensive team. Opponents are making nearly 51% of their 2-pointers against the Owls and Temple is just average when it comes to keeping opponents off the glass.

But at this point, nothing can be taken for granted by this WSU team.

The Shockers say they will be looking for better movement on the offensive end come Sunday in Philadelphia.

“Better player movement and ball movement,” WSU leading scorer Colby Rogers said. “With our personnel, we have to make defenses shift. At this level, you’ve got to make teams move, makes teams shift on defense and attack the gaps, attack close-outs and things like that. I don’t think going 1-on-1 is going to be beneficial for us. So us getting stops, that’s going to make our offense easier and helps build momentum.”

Wichita State at Temple basketball preview

Records: WSU 8-6, 0-1 AAC; Temple 7-7, 0-1 AAC

When: Noon Central time Sunday

Where: Liacouras Center (10,200), Philadelphia

How to watch: ESPNU

Radio: KEYN, 103.7-FM (Mike Kennedy with Bob Hull)

KenPom says: WSU 74, Temple 73

Series history: Tied at 6-6 (Temple leads 2-1 in Philadelphia)

Projected starting lineups

Wichita State Shockers (8-6, 0-1)

Coach: Paul Mills, first season, 8-6

Temple Owls (7-7, 0-1)

Coach: Adam Fisher, first season, 7-7