The hallmark of Wichita State’s current run atop the Missouri Valley Conference is grinding, demoralizing consistency.
The Shockers of 2014, 2015 and 2016 went 51-3 in MVC regular-season games and won them by an average of 16.5 points. With Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker handling the ball, the Shockers controlled the game and rarely endured more than two or three poor possessions in a row.
The 2016-17 Shockers are still trying to figure out how to exert their will over all aspects of a game. That’s led to more double-digit deficits than they are are used to; it also raises the possibility that this team enjoys more room to grow than its predecessors.