Jacob Herrs and Brycen Bush join the podcast to discuss their favorite moments from the past four seasons, how they got hooked on basketball and their outlook for the Shockers in 2021-22. We talk about the decision to join Wichita State as walk-ons, advice from their Shocker family members and why they think Wichita State coaches do a good job with scouting reports.
Wichita State forward Ricky Council IV joins the podcast to talk about his strong debut season and what’s next during spring and summer workouts. Council, a 6-foot-6 forward from Durham, N.C., averaged 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Shockers with a high game of 23 points vs. Cincinnati. He earned a spot on the American Athletic Conference’s all-freshman team. Council reminisces about backyard basketball with his older brothers and describes his affection for Kevin Durant and what the Shockers can learn from their NCAA Tournament experience.
Wichita State director of athletics Darron Boatright discusses the process of hiring men’s basketball coach Isaac Brown. We talk about how he evaluated Brown, on and off the court, and why he considered it important let things play out over the course of the season. We discuss Brown’s personality, his ability to win on the road and the significance of the win over Houston. Boatright also talks about what he learned about the perception of the job nationally, why coaches at prominent programs inquired and who brought the confetti cannon to Friday’s announcement at practice.
Chad Gibney coaches one of the best women’s junior college basketball teams in the country at Western Nebraska Community College. He talks about his path to coaching, his season coaching both men’s and women’s basketball at Western Nebraska and which Shocker coaches he borrows from. Gibney, a manager at Wichita State for the men’s team from 2010-16, discusses his favorite Shocker memories, what made practices special and why Steve Nash is his favorite NBA star.
Sean Johnson played catcher at Wichita State from 1996-98 and worked as director of operations before embarking on a career in professional baseball. Johnson, who attended South High School, became scouting director for the Minnesota Twins in 2016. He talks about the Double A team that will play in Wichita this summer, how the Twins rebuilt their organization after a 103-loss season and the differences between AA and AAA baseball. Johnson also discusses how his time as a Shocker influenced his career, the time he threw out Randy Young in practice and cooking during the pandemic.
The Shockers are 2-2 after Tuesday’s win at Tulsa and we have radio voice Mike Kennedy to give us his thoughts. We discuss how improved practices and a full roster are helping and how newcomers such as Craig Porter Jr., and Alterique Gilbert are fitting in. Mike talks about how the pandemic has changed his work life and his long break in between March and the fall.
Shockers assistant Chester Nichols – a former pass-rushing defensive lineman – updates us on the 2020-21 season. He discusses Wichita State’s newcomers and leadership progress by returners such as Carla Bremaud and Seraphine Bastian. We wrap up with Nichols recommending some of his favorite books.
Paul Miller and Ryan Martin of the 2005-06 Wichita State basketball team check in for updates and memories of that NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 season. Miller, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, recalls the time a teammate neglected to wake him up on time and the importance of confidence to that team. Martin, a member of the MVC’s All-Bench team, talks about Miller’s 30-point performance in a win over Southern Illinois and the thoughts going through his mind before a dunk that sealed the NCAA win over Tennessee.
The Roundhouse podcast returns with Shockers telling us how they’re coping with the pandemic. Hurdler Joseph Holthusen talks about the difficulty of keeping a competitive mindset. Softball’s Ryleigh Buck lets us in on the “Question of the day” and how that helps the Shockers learn about their teammates. Alexandra Lazarova, of the women’s tennis team, passes the time by reading and playing acoustic guitar. Golfer Dawson Lewis describes how Kobe Bryant is helping his team stay mentally sharp.
Mike Kennedy, Bob Lutz and Paul Suellentrop list their top moments, stories and developments for Wichita State athletics in the 2010 era. Topics include the 2013 Final Four, the 2014 perfect regular season, the 2012 volleyball Sweet 16, Aliphine Tuliamuk’s distance running and the ups and downs of Shocker baseball.