Only One Remains
The Wichita State Shockers are ranked No. 2 in the nation and are the only men's D-1 team ever to reach 30-0. The Shockers (30-0, 17-0 Missouri Valley Conference) have one more regular-season game, at home Saturday against Missouri State. The last team to finish the regular season without a loss was the Saint Joseph's team in 2003-04 (27-0). The No. 2 ranking for the Shockers match a team best that was last achieved during the 1981-1982 season.
Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self has said the Wichita State deserves a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in March If, the Shockers beat Missouri State to end the regular season undefeated and, then win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Some think the Shockers and Jayhawks will be in the same region during the NCAA Tournament, where they could imaginably meet for a spot in the Final Four. Both teams have reached the Final Four in the past two years.
The Shockers have some nice wins during the course of the season against the likes of the BYU Cougars of the WCC and the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. Wichita State's marquee win has come against the current No. 10 ranked team in the country, the Saint Louis Billikens (Neutral Court). Last night the Billikens were just upset by the 12-15 Duquesne Dukes at home in Saint Louis. The Shockers have a Strength of Schedule (SOS) of 101 and a Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of 8. These are just 2 of the tools that the NCAA Selection Committee uses when selected and seeding teams for the big dance. Let's see where Wichita State is seeded for March Madness and see if the Shockers can run the table.
By Steven Spector -2-28-14
