Indiana basketball turns their attention to Greg Marshall and Wichita State in the NIT quarterfinals with a trip to Madison Square Garden on the line.
The Shockers come into Assembly Hall looking to knock off an Indiana basketball team that is playing some of its best basketball over the last month.
In what will be a rematch of a 2015 NCAA Tournament game between the Shockers and Hoosiers, it is also the team that Archie Miller coached his last game against while at Dayton.
All things start and end for Wichita State with Markis McDuffie. The senior forward is averaging 18.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from three.
Outside of McDuffie, the team struggles to score. Only shooting 41 percent as a team on the season, 328th in the NCAA, their top two scorers shoot less than that average.
Samajae Haynes-Jones, the team’s second leading scorer, averages 11.9 points and 2.7 assists per game.
Not a very big or deep team, the Shockers have just eight guys who play over 10 minutes a game, while just two of them are over 6-foot-5.
The main front court member is Jaime Echenique, who stands at 6-foot-11. The junior is averaging 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, but has raised that average to 17.0 points per game in the NIT.
Key to the Game
While both teams struggle to score the ball at points, and the Shockers poor shooting percentage, it will come down to who can rebound the ball.
Averaging roughly 37 rebounds a game for both teams, Wichita State does hold almost a four offensive rebound per game advantage over the Hoosiers.
With Indiana’s ability to rebound at the guard position, that could be crucial in closing the gap on the offensive glass.
Another important matchup will be that in the paint.
Since neither team is a threat from behind the three point-line, their ability to win the points in the paint matchup will go a long way.
Juwan Morgan, who is averaging 20.0 points while shooting 68 percent from the field over his last five games, will be a load to handle for the Shockers.
What you need to know
What? Wichita State 21-14 (10-8) vs Indiana 19-15 (8-12)
When? Tuesday, March 26th, 7:00pm ET
Where? Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
TV? ESPN
Radio? Indiana Radio Network
Prediction? Indiana 67, Wichita State 61