Wichita State vs Colorado State Thanksgiving Showdown: Battle 4 Atlantis Redemption Quest

The Wichita State Shockers face the Colorado State Rams in a pivotal Thanksgiving night matchup. This game is part of the Battle 4 Atlantis loser’s bracket in Nassau, Bahamas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

Both teams enter with identical 4-2 records. Each is looking to rebound from narrow losses in their tournament openers. The holiday game carries significant weight for momentum and postseason resumes.

Shockers Seek Bounce-Back After Saint Mary’s Heartbreaker

Wichita State fell 70-65 to unbeaten Saint Mary’s on Wednesday. The Shockers mounted a fierce late comeback that ultimately fell short. According to ESPN coverage, five different WSU players scored in double figures.

Kenyon Giles and TJ Williams led the way with 15 points each. Giles scored 12 of his points in the second half to fuel the rally. Dre Kindell hit a clutch three-pointer to give Wichita State a brief lead with just over a minute left.

The defensive effort was notable. Wichita State held a potent Saint Mary’s three-point attack to just 2-of-16 shooting from deep. However, offensive rebounds by the Gaels proved costly in the final moments.

Colorado State Arrives With Similar Offensive Firepower

Colorado State also looks to recover from a close loss. The Rams dropped a 66-64 decision to Virginia Tech on Tuesday. They are a high-scoring team, averaging 85.5 points per game this season.

Kyle Jorgensen leads the Rams, averaging 16.7 points on efficient shooting. Their offense presents a different challenge than Saint Mary’s. The Rams shoot better from three-point range than the Shockers.

Defense has been a relative weakness for Colorado State. They allow an average of 72.2 points per contest. This could provide an opening for Wichita State’s balanced scoring attack to find a rhythm.

A Thanksgiving Battle With High Stakes

This matchup is more than just a consolation game. For two teams with strong early-season aspirations, avoiding an 0-2 tournament start is critical. The mental fortitude to regroup on a holiday will be tested.

Wichita State’s defense will aim to slow Colorado State’s offensive pace. The Shockers need to control the defensive glass better than they did against Saint Mary’s. Limiting second-chance points will be a key focus.

Offensively, continuing to share the ball will be vital for Wichita State. Having multiple scoring threats like Giles, Williams, and Karon Boyd makes them difficult to defend. Bench contributions from players like Kindell could again be decisive.

The Wichita State vs Colorado State clash promises a competitive Thanksgiving spectacle as both teams fight to salvage their Battle 4 Atlantis journey and prove their resilience.

Thought you’d like to know

Where can I watch the Wichita State vs Colorado State game?

The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Coverage from the Imperial Arena in Nassau begins at 7 p.m. Central Time on Thanksgiving.

What are the records of each team?

Both Wichita State and Colorado State have 4-2 records this season. Each team lost its opening-round game in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament by single digits.

Who is the leading scorer for Wichita State?

Kenyon Giles leads the Shockers, averaging 18.8 points per game. He scored 15 points in the loss to Saint Mary’s, with 12 coming in the second half.

How has Colorado State’s defense performed?

Colorado State allows 72.2 points per game on average. This is higher than Wichita State’s average allowance of 64.0 points, which could be an advantage for the Shockers.

What time is the Thanksgiving game?

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start on Thursday, November 27. It will be played at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas.