After closing out the 2018-19 season strong with a run to the NIT semifinals, Wichita State has come out with a strong defensive effort to get off to a 5-0 start.
The Shockers’ opponent, South Carolina, entered Monday tied for 315th among the 353 Division I teams in 3-point shooting percentage and is fresh off a loss last week as a 15-point favorite against Boston University.
Wichita State has yet to give up more than 63 points this season and has enjoyed balanced scoring. Though nobody on the roster averages more than 12 points per game, five are scoring at least 10 ppg.
An added bonus for the Shockers is the return of its top rebounder from last season, Jamie Echenique, who made his season debut over the weekend versus Oral Roberts.
The combination of sound defense and balanced scoring will give the Gamecocks issues and make it tough for them to hang with the Shockers.
The play: Wichita State, -1¹/₂.