Wichita: Still Not a State, Still Winless (The Rewrite)

Since Blogger ate my original post, this is the rewrite. Frustrating, sure, but good practice for the semester when rough drafts will be my life.

Anyway, the Bears picked up their first Missouri Valley Conference victory of the season, a 68-55 win over Wichita State. A few thoughts from the game:

Think the Bears didn't miss Chris Cooks during the time he was injured? The Bears senior started the scoring with a layup and was terrific the rest of the game too, picking up a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cooks played like the guy Barry Hinson probably envisioned, as he scored most of his points slashing to the basket. The difference this time was that he didn't pick up two or three offensive fouls on the way.

The Bears did a much better job defensively tonight by getting in position quicker. During their six-game losing streak, Missouri State appeared listless on defense and were slow getting to spots. This allowed opponents open cut lanes to the basket and easy points. That was not the case tonight, as the Bears looked like they had fresh legs underneath them and locked down Wichita State's offense.

Individually, posts Wade Knapp, Will Creekmore, and Isaiah Rhine* were especially impressive. Coach Cuonzo Martin kept at least two of them on the floor for a significant part of the game and positioned them near Shockers forward Ramon Clemente, one of the best rebounders in the conference.

*You've got to love the way Rhine rebounds the ball. Grabs it out of the air and cradles it like a baby. The big guy has good hands.

The two centers on the floor sandwiched Clemente all night, denying him easy looks at the basket. Their efforts were successful, as Clemente was held to his season scoring average at six points and picked up only three rebounds, significantly under his season average of 8.3.

Missouri State may have lost another guard tonight as well. As I anticipated, freshman Cardell McFarland came into the game early. Unfortunately, he also left the game early after appearing to have aggravated his ankle injury. I have not gotten word on his status, so if anybody has any information, please leave a comment.

Finally, how about Justin Fuehrmeyer? It was just another day at the office for Fuehry with eight assists and zero turnovers. For good measure, he made good on both his free-throw opportunities.

For the season, Fuehrmeyer's assist-to-turnover ratio now sits at 36-to-11, a figure that would lead the Missouri Valley Conference if he had played in enough games to qualify.* I cannot imagine where the Bears' record would be if Fuehry had to sit out longer than he had to.

*I've done a lot of thinking about why I'm so fascinated with Fuehrmeyer and this statistic. All I can come up with is that when I try remember the last time a Bears player dominated any one category, which is what Fuehry is doing with the ATO ratio, I think of Blake Ahearn shooting threes. That's it.

MSU has put a number of players on the floor who did many things moderately well, but nothing exceptionally well. Seriously, before Ahearn, who was the last Bear to dominate one area of the game?

Fuehrmeyer has also developed a knack for saving a ball headed for the out-of-bounds line by flipping it to a teammate. Over his shoulder. Without looking. While careening into the scorer's table. For all that, he's my favorite player who is arguably the best Coach Martin puts on the floor.