Baker, Van Vleet returning to Wichita State

[JIMSOULS]

Since neither is projected to go in the first round, both will be back with the Shockers. This should help make the WSU game Seton Hall's most anticipated home OOC game in years.

Also, projected first-rounder Justin Anderson of Virginia has declared for the draft. I supposed it's just a matter of time before Providence's Kris Dunn does the same thing.

 

[Halldan1]

Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker returning to Shockers for senior seasons


Wichita State's starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker will return for their senior seasons.

Point guard VanVleet confirmed to ESPN.com that he will return, and sources told ESPN that shooting guard Baker also will return for his senior season. He was leaning toward leaving school, especially because he's already graduated, but changed his mind after coach Gregg Marshall decided to spurn Alabama and he received information from the NBA draft advisory committee.

According to several NBA executives, Baker (6-foot-4) was considered a likely second-round selection if he had entered the draft.

VanVleet (6 feet, 195 pounds) started every game for the Shockers last season and ranked seventh nationally with a 3.10 assist to turnover ratio. He was second behind Baker on the team in scoring with 13.6 points, and his 5.2 assist average led the Missouri Valley Conference.

VanVleet also was regarded as a second-rounder by NBA executives.

With Baker and VanVleet returning, Wichita State again will have one of the top backcourts in the nation.

The Shockers ranked 10th in the ESPN.com Way-Too-Early Top 25.

Wichita State was 30-5 last season and 17-1 in the Missouri Valley. The Shockers knocked off Kansas in the round of 32 before losing to Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12680839/fred-vanvleet-ron-baker-returning-wichita-state-shockers

 

[JIMSOULS]

The Shockers lose starters Tekele Cotton and Darius Carter, but their incoming four-man class is regarded as Gregg Marshall's best recruiting class yet. With the exception of Van Vleet, this year's roster was mainly comprised of two-star players out of high school. Their newest recruits are rated higher than that. They'll also have guard Connor Frankamp, a Kansas transfer.

They should be a Top 15 team when they visit the Rock.

 

[NittanyPirate]

Those two are really good. Glad they are coming back next season and hope they leave The Rock as losers

 

[Piratz]

They're going to be a good team again. May take a bit of time to gel, but we FINALLY get a legitimate good team at The Rock before Big East play.

This must be the first tie since NC State in 2008 or 2009, right? Jeez.