[00:00:14] Speaker A: Hello. Welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Sullentrop of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. Thanks very much for listening. We appreciate your time. Our guest is Dylan Batee. Dillon is a 6 foot 9 sophomore forward on the Wichita State men's basketball team. He is from Dallas, Texas. In the 11 conference games, eight of them starts, Dillon is averaging 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. Has 11 steals and seven block shots in that span as he has really bumped up his contributions for the shockers. He's shooting 55% from the field, coming off a career high 19 points on 8 of 10 shootings, along with nine rebounds. In Sunday's win at Tulane. Wichita State is 50 15, 97 4. In the American Conference, they play USF and Tulsa. Those are the conference co leaders. They play them this week at Koch Arena. USF on Wednesday, Tulsa on Saturday.
So, Dylan, the Shockers have won five of six games to get into the middle of February with a lot to play for. What happened in January that pushed this team into this right direction?
[00:01:18] Speaker B: We got our heads on straight.
We took on a challenge of becoming the best team in this conference. And, you know, coach challenged us to do that. And I think we've responded, great, take.
[00:01:30] Speaker A: Us more into that. Does he challenge you in a video session on the court and what words worked, what part of the challenge really resonated with this group?
[00:01:39] Speaker B: He challenged us on the court, for sure, in film, for sure. Showing us things that we can improve on as a team, showing us individually things to improve on and, you know, just telling us what, what needs to happen. And our whole team has responded to that.
[00:01:55] Speaker A: He has remarked on several occasions when he's been asked about your recent performances that you are really open to coaching and that you have really bought into what do I need to do to help this team? What did he say to you that really was helpful and has pointed you in this right direction?
[00:02:12] Speaker B: He's told me a few things like playing under control, rebounding, defensive effort, just things that I can do better to help us win. And I think that being a coachable player that wants to become the best player I can be and the greatest, I've just. I've just responded to that and taking that challenge.
[00:02:30] Speaker A: You come from a real basketball background. Has that helped you be open to coaching?
[00:02:36] Speaker B: Absolutely, absolutely. You know, my dad and uncle, both of them played professional, extremely high level, and, you know, that just runs in the family.
[00:02:45] Speaker A: Your dad, Derek, played at Temple. Your uncle Tony Batee played at Texas Tech, spent 14 seasons in the NBA. So growing up in that kind of family, no doubt had a. Had a big impact on you. Okay. Two big games this week. Wichita State's working hard to get big crowds. Back in Koch Arena, I know you had a social media post where you're encouraging people to come out. Why is the crowd important? Why do players care about that?
[00:03:10] Speaker B: I think it just like, obviously the game is the game and we're focused on the game, but having a huge fan base and amazing people that we play for every game, be there to support us in person, it just brings a whole different energy. You know, you might get three stops in a row and the gym erupts.
That causes a headache for the team and just gives us extra momentum and extra boost.
[00:03:34] Speaker A: Three stops in a row, Is that what you call a kill?
[00:03:36] Speaker B: A kill, yes, sir.
[00:03:37] Speaker A: Okay, so that's big Paul Mills phrase, right? Explain that to people. It's the importance of a kill.
[00:03:43] Speaker B: Kill is just killing the other team's offense. You get three stops in a row, they can't get anything. Shot clock violations, steals, blocks, great defensive possessions that end in rebounds. That's a kill.
[00:03:56] Speaker A: How do you balance the excitement? Big week. Hopefully there will be big crowds. How do you balance that excitement with sticking to the routine that got you into this position?
[00:04:07] Speaker B: Well, honestly, for us as the players, nothing changes. Our approach to the game is the same. The only big difference is if we can get, you know, 10,500 people in the stands, that's just on top of it. But our respect to the game and our respect to our opponents is not going to change at all. Yes.
[00:04:23] Speaker A: Assistant coach P.J. cuzenard is asking for 10,000 people. We see that frequently on social media. Okay, January 15th, the Shockers play at Florida Atlantic and they lose 85, 67. That was a third loss in four games for the Shockers. Then three days later, Shockers bounced back. They beat USF 8685 in overtime on the road. Wichita State trailed by 13 in the second half, forced overtime. And that win started this stretch of five wins in six games. Will we look back on that game against USF as a turning point for this team?
[00:04:58] Speaker B: I think you could say that that showed that we were relentless and willing to fight.
We went up at halftime, then went back down. You know, games have their ups and downs and their swings, but our relentlessness to not give up sealed us that game in overtime.
[00:05:14] Speaker A: Take us through your adjustment to Wichita State. You spent your freshman year at Temple. Take us through the summer and into the fall and how you transitioned.
[00:05:22] Speaker B: Well, a lot's going on for me this year.
My year has been up and down for sure too. But I found a steady balance in the summertime.
Just working, getting better, getting prepared. I learned a whole new position and you know, it takes time to adjust, but I've gotten here and I'm taking strides in the right direction.
But I found pretty good footing here at Wichita State and I'm enjoying it.
[00:05:48] Speaker A: You mentioned the ups and the downs. So in the non conference schedule, there were games you did not, did not play. What kept you working, what kept you improving during that time?
[00:05:57] Speaker B: What kept me working would be honestly just my faith in God and knowing that God doesn't make mistakes and knowing that no matter what happens, I have to continue to get better and my time will come.
And yes, sir.
[00:06:14] Speaker A: Do you look back on a light bulb moment? Was there a turning point where you walked off the practice court or walked off the court after a game and said, all right, I think I've got this in a good spot. I've got some things figured out.
[00:06:26] Speaker B: Um, maybe a couple. I think.
What's one game in particular? Maybe the North Texas game, when I got in, started that game, took some, some made some big plays and whatnot. And I think that was when I was like, okay, like, I think I can be really productive for this team.
[00:06:47] Speaker A: What makes coach Paul Mills happiest on the basketball court?
What does he really enjoy watching the Shockers do?
[00:06:55] Speaker B: Defense, shutting down people's offense, shutting down anything that they try to do and making them just unaffective.
[00:07:05] Speaker A: Just in general, he can be a pretty stoic guy. How can you tell when he's happy? Does he let you guys know that he's pleased with something?
[00:07:13] Speaker B: You know what, I haven't really figured that out about him yet. But when he gets excited, you know, he does his fist bump thing that everybody loves. I think that's super funny to watch. How we know he's fired up and he's just, he's excited, he's amped. And as a team, we respond to that really well.
[00:07:28] Speaker A: We have seen the fist pump come out a little more recently. I think the Memphis game was the first time really noticeable. So the players notice that too. They notice when he gets hyped. Up.
[00:07:37] Speaker B: Yes, sir.
[00:07:38] Speaker A: People love that about their. About their coaches, definitely. All right, that leads me perfectly then into the next question. Because the Shockers have played two of their better defensive games in the wins over Charlotte and then at Tulane, two things stand out. Limiting their offensive rebounds and shutting down their three point shooting. That was helpful in both Dylan, the defense, why has it improved over the last week or so?
[00:08:01] Speaker B: Everybody's just putting more effort in.
We're doing the things that matter and the things that contribute to winning, doing the 95%.
But I just say as a team, we've decided like, hey, we're going to shut down these O boards and we're going to limit these teams on the three point line. So any team that loves to shoot threes and get their rebounds put backs, limit them to second chance points. We've taken that on and decided that that's going to be our identity.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: I think it is easy to forget how many new players are on this team. And defense takes a lot of communication, a lot of trusting your teammate, all those kind of things. Is that part of what we're seeing is that you have now been together, I guess, going back since June and some of this is just becoming second nature?
[00:08:45] Speaker B: Absolutely. You know, with us not even being together for a full year, we've taken on the defensive challenge and just bonded together as brothers, as a team, as an entire family.
And yes, sir, tell me if I'm.
[00:08:59] Speaker A: Seeing this correctly from my spot, either on the sideline or watching on tv. I know that Paul Mills, after the loss at fau, he talked about winning. Better body language from the bench. And it seems to me we're seeing more activity on the bench, both from the players, assistant coaches. Am I seeing that correctly? And how does that help when the bench is active and vocal?
[00:09:21] Speaker B: Well, bench body language is really just all about cheering for your teammate, cheering for the success of others on the floor. And that's like imagine you have somebody in your corner that they might not be on the floor, but if you do anything great, they love that for you and they love that for the team. That just brings a completely different vibe compared to like a quiet bench, nobody supporting each other, you know, and our bench is doing a great job. Anytime I'm on the bench, I make sure to get up and cheer and it's just support.
[00:09:51] Speaker A: Am I seeing that correctly? Has that been more of a thing over the past couple weeks?
[00:09:55] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:09:57] Speaker A: Who is the teammate who is most vocal in the locker room? Which guy maybe sets the tone for playing hard, practicing hard, doing the right things?
[00:10:07] Speaker B: I would say there's a couple guys. There's a couple guys. And that's also what makes us super connected. We got, you know, KG as a, as a main leader, KB tj, you know, they. These are all vocal guys, Will, you know, mainly older guys, but yeah, those are the guys that are in the locker room talking to us.
Everybody contributes, though. I'd say our team isn't like a. Isn't like, hey, you have these few guys talking and everybody else is quiet. Everybody's talk. Everybody says something. But, you know, those main guys, those main older guys that lead the way in kg, kb and also tj.
[00:10:42] Speaker A: Kenyon Giles, a guard that is leading the Shockers in scoring. Karon Boyd, forward, excellent defensive player, really shooting the ball well. And T.J. williams from. From Wichita Heights to catch people up on the. On the names. I understand you are a dedicated video game player.
What's your favorite video game?
[00:11:03] Speaker B: I play 2K. I play 2K. I play call of Duty. It was really just the main two things I play in my free time.
[00:11:09] Speaker A: Who's the best video game player on this basketball team?
[00:11:12] Speaker B: It's definitely me.
[00:11:13] Speaker A: Definitely you. Is there anybody even close or.
[00:11:16] Speaker B: I don't think so. I think I'm by far.
[00:11:19] Speaker A: Okay. All right. Who's the best dresser on this team?
[00:11:21] Speaker B: Dresser? We have a lot of guys. Hold on. We have a lot. You know, personally, I think somebody with the best outlet is probably kg, but Jerry Valencia also is pretty fresh. I say that.
[00:11:34] Speaker A: Okay. And, yeah, I always liked asking because we've seen so much over the last few years. You know, it's a big deal. The NBA players are walking that into the. Walking into the arena, and we get the camera on them, showing off what they're wearing. Has that filtered to college athletics? Do guys pay more attention to what they're wearing because of that, that influence?
[00:11:55] Speaker B: Absolutely. Like when you see the pros do it, and as a college player, knowing that you want to become a pro, you know, we're gonna. We're gonna do what we see the older guys doing. And, yeah, I think that's definitely filtered into college sports.
[00:12:06] Speaker A: Now you are in the process, or already have up and running an Instagram account dedicated to day trading. Tell us about your interest in day trading and how you got hooked on that.
[00:12:18] Speaker B: Well, I just started off seeing videos about it. And, you know, when somebody says, hey, if you invest some money here, you can become really profitable and take care of your family. And so I just started studying it like I study everything else.
And, you know, I got better at it. Then I decided, hey, if I'm going to be good at this, I'm going to teach other people how to do this. I want to. I'm not going to hold this just to myself.
So let me actually teach people how they can also do this so they can provide for their families as well. You know, in times like this, everybody has to stick together.
Especially in an economy, everybody has to sit together. So I started an Instagram account for that and I've gained plenty of followers and just wondering how do I do it? And love to share that information with them.
[00:13:00] Speaker A: Okay, hit us with the Instagram handle. If people want to want to learn more about day trading from Dylan Bati.
[00:13:06] Speaker B: It'S called Dylan is real.
[00:13:08] Speaker A: Dylan is real. D I L L O N I S R E A L All one word. Okay, what's your top tip for someone who wants to get into day trading?
[00:13:18] Speaker B: Learn how to read candles. Those are the most important thing. Learn how to read candles and just be smart.
[00:13:26] Speaker A: This team has quite the variety of shoes, lots of colors. I've seen Karan Boyd. I think he changed shoes at halftime of one game. Of course, Karon is famous for the Grinch shoes, which caused a big, big stir a few games ago.
What are your favorite shoes and how do you go about deciding what you're going to wear for a particular game?
[00:13:45] Speaker B: Honestly, for me, I don't really jump shoes a whole lot. If I have a pair that feels good and I play in, I'll stick with that. But I have some Kobe eights that are purple. I love those shoes and they've been good to me. But you know, our team, we have a lot of guys with super unique styles, unique colors and they switch it up all the time, but every player has their preference.
[00:14:06] Speaker A: So who has the best shoe game on this team?
[00:14:10] Speaker B: You know what? I'd say either Karon or Will Burke will have some pretty nice shoes.
[00:14:17] Speaker A: Very good. All right, Dylan Bati, thank you very much for your time. The Shockers have a big week this week. They play USF Wednesday at 6:30. They play Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Saturday at 6pm as part of hall of Fame weekend. Dylan, thank you for your time.
[00:14:34] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: Thank you for listening to the Roundhouse podcast courtesy of Wichita State University Strategic Communications. We encourage you to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can find more roundhouse
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He's 30ft away on that one. That is a killer.
This is just incredible.
