Why this December stretch is so pivotal for Wichita State ahead of DePaul game

Why this December Stretch is So Pivotal for Wichita State Ahead of the DePaul Game

The lights feel brighter, the air crisper, and the stakes exponentially higher. For the Wichita State Shockers basketball program, December isn't just about holiday breaks; it's a treacherous, career-defining stretch that dictates the entire trajectory of the season. As the team prepares for a critical showdown against the DePaul Blue Demons, the pressure is immense.

I've covered collegiate hoops long enough to know the feeling inside Koch Arena right now. It's the moment the casual fan starts asking, "Are we a tournament team?" and the coaching staff understands that the margin for error in non-conference play has vanished. The DePaul game isn't just another schedule filler; it is a critical turning point for the Shockers' long-term goals.

The next few weeks, capped by this specific road test, will either build a strong NCAA Tournament resume or leave the team scrambling desperately for Quadrant 1 victories once the American Athletic Conference (AAC) slate begins. Failure to capitalize now puts the entire season on the bubble watch before Christmas even arrives.

The Mid-Season Crossroads: Why December Defines WSU's Tournament Hopes

College basketball lore dictates that the games played in December often hold more weight than those in November. Teams have shaken off the early-season rust, established rotations, and are now playing with mid-season conditioning. For Wichita State, this period traditionally features tough opponents designed specifically to boost the NET Rankings—the metric the Selection Committee obsesses over.

The Shockers entered this December stretch needing to prove their offensive efficiency and demonstrate defensive consistency. While early results showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistency remains the primary enemy. The margin between an automatic bid contender and a frustrating bubble team is often paved by results in weeks three and four of the season.

Why is this specific stretch so pivotal for Wichita State?

• Resume Building Deadline: Non-conference games provide the purest opportunities for Quality Wins (QWs) without the added pressure of conference rivalries. Once January hits, the focus shifts entirely to the AAC race.
• NET Ranking Impact: Wins against high-major opponents, regardless of current record, significantly boost the team's NET profile. DePaul, even during down years, still provides an opportunity for a quality road win that looks excellent on paper.
• Confidence and Cohesion: The December grind often occurs during finals week, a mentally taxing period for the athletes. Earning tough wins during this time builds team chemistry and mental fortitude vital for the grueling conference schedule ahead.

A loss here doesn't eliminate WSU from contention, but it severely limits their room to breathe. They would enter 2024 potentially needing a near-perfect run through the AAC, adding unwanted pressure to every single league game.

The coaching staff must ensure the team is peaking now, focusing not just on the wins column, but on the statistical benchmarks. We need to see sustained high-level play, particularly in areas like turnover margin and field goal percentage defense—areas that have occasionally let them down in previous high-stakes matchups.

Breaking Down the Blue Demons: Key Matchups and Tactical Adjustments

The focus narrows sharply to the matchup against the DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul often presents unique challenges—they play an aggressive style, rely heavily on individual offensive talent, and are capable of exploding for high-scoring runs. For Wichita State to secure this critical road victory, specific tactical adjustments are non-negotiable.

The game will likely be won or lost in the paint and at the free-throw line. DePaul typically utilizes athleticism to attack the basket relentlessly, forcing opponents into early foul trouble. WSU's big men must maintain paint presence without racking up cheap fouls.

Here are the crucial factors for WSU's game plan:

1. Perimeter Defense Tightening: DePaul's primary scorers thrive in isolation and mid-range jumpers. Wichita State's perimeter defense needs to be locked down, forcing contested shots and limiting penetration that collapses the defense.

2. Offensive Efficiency and Spacing: The Shockers have struggled when their primary scorer is shut down. Against DePaul, WSU needs consistent ball movement to generate open looks. They must convert these looks; sustained shooting droughts are simply unacceptable in a pivotal game like this.

3. Handling the Road Environment: While DePaul's home arena may not always be packed, the energy shifts dramatically when they host a reputable program like WSU. The Shockers need senior leadership to weather any early runs and prevent the crowd from becoming a factor.

The X-factor in this contest might be the performance of WSU's bench. Depth wins close non-conference games. If the reserves can provide quality minutes, contributing 15-20 solid points while maintaining defensive intensity, it alleviates pressure on the starters and keeps the rotational fresh for the entire 40 minutes.

We saw in the last outing against a similar opponent how quickly momentum can turn based on poor decision-making in transition. The Shockers have to execute a disciplined game plan, prioritizing high-percentage shots and valuing every possession as if it were the last.

Beyond the Game: Momentum, Roster Confidence, and the Road to AAC Play

While the immediate result against DePaul determines the team's current win-loss record, the long-term ramifications of this December stretch are far more significant. This period is a litmus test for the roster's mental toughness and resilience before the true rigors of conference play begin.

A victory here provides critical momentum. It solidifies the players' belief in the system and validates the tireless work put in during the early season. Confidence is perhaps the most valuable commodity in college athletics, and a strong win over a regional high-major opponent provides it in spades.

Conversely, a close loss, or worse, a blowout, could lead to questioning among the younger players. These doubts can linger, making the initial stages of the AAC conference slate unnecessarily difficult.

The path forward requires the Shockers to:

• Establish a Go-To Closer: In tight games, WSU needs a player who demands the ball and consistently delivers late-game offense. This DePaul game is the perfect opportunity for an emerging star to seize that role.
• Solidify Defensive Identity: The great WSU teams of the past were defined by gritty, suffocating defense. The current squad needs to re-establish this identity now so it becomes second nature by January.
• Manage the Injury Report: December is physically taxing. Maintaining player health and managing minutes effectively ensures the team enters the conference schedule fully healthy and ready to compete for the league title.

This stretch is also vital for the coaching staff's evaluation process. They are assessing which rotations work best under pressure and which players are ready for expanded roles when the schedule demands elite performance every night. Every timeout, every substitution, and every defensive scheme change in this game is a crucial data point.

The Shockers have the talent. They have the pedigree. But talent without execution in pivotal December matchups like this one against DePaul means absolutely nothing when the Selection Committee starts reviewing the final bubble teams. For Wichita State, the time to prove they belong in the conversation is now.

The stakes are set, the clock is ticking, and Wichita State's season is ready to be defined by what happens in the remaining days of this crucial December window.

Why this December stretch is so pivotal for Wichita State ahead of DePaul game

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