Wichita State basketball coach Paul Mills updates fans on summer practices. We discuss depth and versatility at the center position and his favorite rebounding drill. We talk about roles for new assistant coaches Josh Eilert and P.J. Couisnard and how the AfterShocks further demonstrated Wichita’s love for basketball. We also dive into shooters on this team, the Shocker who organized pickup games, and Mills’ love for popcorn and assorted toppings.
Mills is entering his third season as basketball coach at Wichita State. The Shockers played in the NIT last season, their first post-season berth since 2021, and went 19-15, a record highlighted by wins over Minnesota, Kansas State and a win over Memphis in Koch Arena. There are 12 new Shockers who join returners T.J. Williams, Joy Ighovodja and Henry Thengvall.
Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get set for the week with the Roundhouse Rundown podcast, the fastest five minutes in collegiate promotions. The Shocker women play at Memphis and UAB this week. The Wichita State men open AAC play at Temple on Friday (6 p.m.) on ESPN2. Both teams are home next week to play the USF Bulls – men on Jan. 6 and women on Jan. 8. All that, plus promotions, ticket specials, Shocker trivia and Shocker history.
Wichita State forward Ronnie DeGray III joins us to break down summer workouts and two of the newcomers who popped in his eyes. He discusses his late-season surge in 2024 and how coach Paul Mills boosted his confidence. DeGray also talks about how his father influenced his basketball career, why he wears No. 3 at Wichita State and his career goals in an NBA front office.
Women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner updates fans on summer practices and the exhibition tour of the Virgin Islands. We talk about adding athletic ability and height to the roster and his desire to play faster. We discuss his options to play point guard, Taylor Jameson’s energy at practice and Jayla Murray’s hard work since last season. Nooner also describes summer activities such as financial literacy training and plans for assistant coach Antwain Scales to teach about car maintenance.
Radio voice Mike Kennedy and former Wichita Eagle columnist Bob Lutz join us to reminisce about the 2012-13 Shockers basketball season, culminating at the Final Four. We talk about Cleanthony Early’s star turn on that team and his place in Shocker history, the importance of depth and the wacky win at Illinois State. We discuss the significance of the win over No. 1 Gonzaga, torment Bob with trivia questions and reveal some of our favorite moments. Many of those Shockers are in town this week for the alumni reunion at Friday’s AfterShocks game and dinner at Mark Arts on July 22.
Wichita State women’s basketball assistant coaches Brooke Costley and Nick Bradford update fans on summer workouts, team building and bowling. We discuss Costley’s rise through NCAA Division II to Wichita State and her hobby as an artist. Bradford talks about his long friendship with coach Terry Nooner and how he learned to root for the Kansas City Chiefs and leave behind the Dallas Cowboys.
Wichita State’s Trajata Colbert and Jane Asinde discuss the convincing victory over Tulsa, how they work together on the court and why Colbert sometimes wants to tell Asinde to slow down in practice. We talk about Colbert’s love of “The Golden Girls” TV show and why coaches consider her an “old soul.” Topics also include senior memories, advice for freshmen and travel tips.
Episode description: In this episode of Wichita State University’s “Forward Together” podcast, President Rick Muma talks with Kevin Saal, who was hired as director of athletics at Wichita State University in June. Kevin is leading Shocker athletics during a time of significant change – name, image and likeness, the transfer portal and conference realignment top the list.
The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Rick Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good.
Associate head coach Ewa Laskowska prepares fans for the upcoming season with a look at Shocker newcomers such as Curtessia Dean and Aniya Bell and returners such as Jane Asinde and Trajata Colbert. We discuss DJ McCarty’s role as point guard and how she fits as the Shockers rebuild their backcourt after the departure of three seniors. Laskowska also discusses the emphasis on adding scoring to the roster with seven newcomers. The Tipoff Luncheon is set for Oct. 14 with Shocker Madness on Oct. 27. The Shockers play on an exhibition game against Missouri Southern on Nov. 1. The opener is Nov. 9 vs. Alcorn State.
Wichita State’s Jacob Wilson, Gus Okafor and Jaykwon Walton talk about their early weeks as a Shocker, favorite NBA players and advice for college newcomers. Okafor reveals why he helped a young Shocker fan capture a roly poly during camp and how he is grabbing the role as vocal leader. They discuss teammate Jaron Pierre’s energy and personality and their early impressions of strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn.
