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College basketball week 5: 5 biggest takeaways

By Chris Stone

Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) congratulates guard Luke Kennard (5) during a game against the UNLV Runnin
Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) congratulates guard Luke Kennard (5) during a game against the UNLV Runnin /
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Dec 3, 2016; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) and Colorado State Rams forward Emmanuel Omogbo (2) go after a loose ball during the first half at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) and Colorado State Rams forward Emmanuel Omogbo (2) go after a loose ball during the first half at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Wichita State’s defense continues to be its calling card

The Shockers handled their business this week by issuing a 75-45 whooping to Saint Louis before snatching a 76-73 win over Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, their best non-conference win of the season. With a home victory over Oklahoma State next Saturday, they can add a bit more cushion to their NCAA Tournament resume in case they fall early in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament come March.

This season figured to be a bit of a question mark for Wichita State as the program looked to retool without longtime staples Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker. Sure, the Shockers had talent suiting up, but how the pieces fit was always going to require a bit of a wait-and-see approach. After 11 games, one thing is certain: Wichita State will once again be one of the best defenses in the country.

Head coach Gregg Marshall has built a culture of defensive toughness in the heartland exemplified by the Shockers’ “Play Angry” motto. Wichita State has ranked in the top 30 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency each season dating back to 2011-12. This year, the Shockers are fourth. They do just about everything well, from protecting the interior to causing turnovers.

Next: 3 takeaways from Villanova's win over Notre Dame

Wichita State ranks fifth nationally in two-point defense, 13th nationally in defensive rebounding rate and they create a turnover on 21.6 percent of possessions. That sounds like a good formula to keep things rolling for one of the country’s top mid-major programs.