Wichita State coach Keitha Adams wraps up the summer with a look at the team’s six newcomers. She discusses how the Shockers devoted much of their summer to shooting and why she read through almost 800 pages of plays to keep her team unpredictable. Adams starts the podcast with anecdotes from her relationship with NCAA champion coach Don Haskins of UTEP. Why did Shockers DJ McCarty and Trajata Colbert finish last season strong? Adams hits that topic, as well.
Associate head coach Sean Carter gets us started on the 2021 season with his thoughts on a strong group of setters, the possible return to the 5-1 system and the potential at libero and defensive specialist that a 5-1 would highlight. Carter describes the American Athletic Conference race, Sophia Rohling’s next steps after an all-conference season and the depth at middle blocker.
Shocker coach Isaac Brown wraps up the summer with updates on his newcomers, Craig Porter’s strong workouts and how the NBA experience sets up the season for guard Tyson Etienne. He discusses Kenny Pohto’s summer with his national team, favorite restaurant and where he wants the Shockers to improve. Also, Twitter questions from fans.
Clevin Hannah, Wichita State guard from 2008-10, joins the podcast in advance of Tuesday’s AfterShocks game (8 p.m.) in The Basketball Tournament. Hannah talks about his professional basketball career, the fans in Turkey that threw shoes at his team, and his adjustments to living away from family and friends early in his career. Hannah reminisces about his time as a Shocker and how his friendship with Ramon Clemente led him to Wichita State. Hannah describes how he become more responsible and more of a leader during that 2008-09 season. In his second season, he led the Shockers to a 25-win season and the NIT and he describes how the experience of that team led to success.
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 senior Bailee Nickerson talks about her hometown’s famous monument, learning how to practice the Kristi Bredbenner way and when she saw the potential for big things in 2021. Nickerson started in left field against Auburn in her first college game and rarely left the lineup during her career. She discusses her adjustment to college softball, which former teammate she borrowed her walk-up song from and the similarities between the 2018 Shocker NCAA team and the current edition.
Third baseman Ryleigh Buck and shortstop Sydney McKinney discuss winning the conference title, their walk-up songs and the season’s top defensive plays. McKinney reveals her secret about Hi-Chew candy. They also talk about when they knew the Shockers had something special going and the big summer event in McKinney’s hometown of Norborne, Mo.
Shockers ESPN+ voice Shane Dennis is on the pod to discuss the Riverfront Stadium experience, how long it might take the Shockers to regain lost fans and the defensive play of Andrew Stewart and Paxton Wallace on the left side of the infield. Shane breaks down Wichita State’s pitching over the past 12 games, Hunter Gibson’s improvement at the plate and how the lack of mid-week games affects the NCAA regional resume.
John Wise is the assistant director of track and field and cross country. He joins the podcast to preview the Wichita State Open, which starts at noon Saturday at Cessna Stadium.
Wise discusses the rising optimism for the outdoor season after the indoor’s uncertainty. He talks about hurdler Joseph Holthusen’s path from lightly recruited high schooler to indoor All-American and Shockers off to a great start to the outdoor season, such as hammer thrower Michael Bryan and the women’s steeplechase crew.
We wrap up by talking about how movies theaters may or may not survive the pandemic, which movie might lure him back to the theater and his “Travel With a Wise Guy” video series on YouTube. Joyland alert!
Wichita State’s Garrett Kocis joins the podcast as the Shockers prepare for American Athletic Conference play with a 12-8 record and a four-game win streak. Kocis, a junior from Omaha, talks about watching the College World Series as a youngster, what he learned from Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm as a freshman and how he dealt with the disappointments of 2019. Kocis, who leads the Shockers with 10 home runs, also discusses his home run derby belt, chatting at first base and his favorite CWS star from his youth.
