Wichita State has become one of best mid-major programs in America and have really taken the nation by storm particularly in the past couple of seasons. One of the major reasons for their sustained success these past few years has been senior point guard Fred VanVleet who is considered one of the top point guards in the nation. VanVleet has only played 33 minutes through three games so far this season due to various injuries and it appears he will have to miss even more time, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
VanVleet is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that head coach Gregg Marshall says is likely going to keep him out a little while. The Shockers are headed down to Orlando to participate in the Advocare Invitational starting on Thursday and VanVleet is highly unlikely to be able to participate.
"I'd be surprised if he plays. The last thing the doctors told me was probably the Saint Louis game at best," said Marshall.
Wichita State doesn't play Saint Louis until December 5th so it seems likely that he will miss the entire upcoming tournament where the Shockers will start out by playing a good USC team and also may have to face a very good Xavier team.
The Shockers came into the season ranked 10th in the AP Poll due in large part to VanVleet and fellow senior Ron Baker but VanVleet has not been himself yet this season. VanVleet first hurt his hamstring in a scrimmage back in October but he was still able to start the Shockers' season opener against Charleston Southern even though he only lasted three minutes before spraining his ankle.
VanVleet however was able to start Wichita State's next game against Tulsa where he played 30 minutes but Marshall said he didn't have any burst and couldn't change directions in the loss. Marshall said that VanVleet should have been taken out of that game because he clearly didn't look right but he wanted to stay in the game.
VanVleet's backup is Landry Shamet who is also dealing with an injury and may not be able to go in this week's tournament. Shamet is averaging 8.7 points through three games but is dealing with a stress reaction and is scheduled to undergo an MRI. If both VanVleet and Shamet can't go the Shockers will likely turn to Baker to play some point guard along with freshman Ty Taylor II.
