Samajae Haynes-Jones provided an encouraging performance at point guard, which is perhaps Wichita State's most important question entering the season. Haynes-Jones, a senior, scored 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting with one assist and one turnover in 32 minutes, 50 seconds of playing time.
"He looks way more confident, way more comfortable this year," teammate Markis McDuffie said.
As a junior, in his first season at WSU, Haynes-Jones excelled in up-and-down games in non-conference play. He struggled when the games slowed to half-court contests and his playing time slipped in January and February (the fact he competed for playing time with first-round NBA pick Landry Shamet and Conner Frankamp contributed).