MONTREAL
Cleanthony Early did not spring from junior college fully formed into a future NCAA All-Tournament team talent. Joe Ragland did not arrive on campus capable of producing one of Wichita State’s best scoring seasons.
“The first fall workout — every time (Early) touched it, he shot it,” WSU coach Gregg Marshall said. “It was like a turnover every time he touched the ball. And, he wasn’t coachable. That came around pretty quickly.”
Early and Ragland endured some rough moments, as most newcomers do, on their way to superb careers. Their stumbles played out largely in private during their early months as Shockers.