#10 Northern Iowa at #11 Wichita State, WINNER TAKE ALL

[Khan4Cats]

I don't think the Shockers have to worry about a bubble unless UNI were to blow them out in Koch and they then lose on Friday. Even then, I think the worse case for them is a slide down the S curve and a possible match-up with Kentucky on the first weekend.

Their track record the last few years, plus the presence of All-America caliber players in Van Vleet and Baker will get them in.

[Khan4Cats]

Washpun only goes left. Just throwing that out there. Seriously, even when he goes right, he's going to try to finish left. Not stopping that was the real problem WSU had in the first meeting. It created all sorts of problems. Ria'n Holland was the only WSU player that forced Washpun right, and he threw up two ugly "shots" off the backboard. Everything else was left, and it allowed the defense to be diced.

This is true and nobody seems to be able to stop it. I don't know if its because Wes looks so damn goofy and unorthodox when he's got the ball or what it is, but everybody forces him right and somehow he ends up in the air finishing with his left hand.

Washpun is one of those freaky athletic guys that isn't a natural basketball player, so everything looks so damn difficult for him.

I concur, but a bigger factor is whether Wes is under control or not. When he is amped and under control (as he was in the first game), there are very few who can deal with his quickness and athleticism. When he is out of control, he is his own worst enemy.

[goramblers2011]

I don't think the Shockers have to worry about a bubble unless UNI were to blow them out in Koch and they then lose on Friday. Even then, I think the worse case for them is a slide down the S curve and a possible match-up with Kentucky on the first weekend.

Their track record the last few years, plus the presence of All-America caliber players in Van Vleet and Baker will get them in.

This is what I believe as well.

However, an interesting stat that Jerry Palm pointed out: There has only been one team in the last 25 years to get an at-large bid while having beaten 0 tourney teams.

[Cdizzle]

I don't think the Shockers have to worry about a bubble unless UNI were to blow them out in Koch and they then lose on Friday. Even then, I think the worse case for them is a slide down the S curve and a possible match-up with Kentucky on the first weekend.

Their track record the last few years, plus the presence of All-America caliber players in Van Vleet and Baker will get them in.

This is what I believe as well.

However, an interesting stat that Jerry Palm pointed out: There has only been one team in the last 25 years to get an at-large bid while having beaten 0 tourney teams.

Palm is a moron. WSU is closer to a #2 seed than not making the tournament. Neither of those are going to happen.

[ACECARD]

Was listening to a podcast with Jerry Palm last night and he believes that if WSU is swept by UNI (including the conf championship), then WSU will be a bubble team at 26-5 on Selection Sunday because they lack any wins over surefire tourney teams. Their best win is Tulsa who is on the bubble right now.

Anyone else believe this?

I would like to believe it, but at home, I think the Shocks will win. They are used to pressure games, and UNI not so much.

[Cdizzle]

Was listening to a podcast with Jerry Palm last night and he believes that if WSU is swept by UNI (including the conf championship), then WSU will be a bubble team at 26-5 on Selection Sunday because they lack any wins over surefire tourney teams. Their best win is Tulsa who is on the bubble right now.

Anyone else believe this?

I would like to believe it, but at home, I think the Shocks will win. They are used to pressure games, and UNI not so much.

So, you would like to believe that a 26-5 WSU team won't make the tournament?

[shockem]

I don't think the Shockers have to worry about a bubble unless UNI were to blow them out in Koch and they then lose on Friday. Even then, I think the worse case for them is a slide down the S curve and a possible match-up with Kentucky on the first weekend.

Their track record the last few years, plus the presence of All-America caliber players in Van Vleet and Baker will get them in.

This is what I believe as well.

However, an interesting stat that Jerry Palm pointed out: There has only been one team in the last 25 years to get an at-large bid while having beaten 0 tourney teams.

I guess if NM State and Tulsa get in then we have 2 wins against tourney teams. Both are currently projected to be in.

[TheAsianSensation]

See, for most teams that don't have a win over a tournament team, it's because they scheduled weak. But Wichita has a top 40 non-con SoS as a trump card. So I wouldn't be worried.

Also, the eye test will really help Wichita. As much as everyone hates it for how it helps the big boys...it's going to actually really help Wichita this year.

[unipanther99]

I think both teams will benefit if this is a close, exciting game. More eyeballs to help make that eye test case, with Mark Adams making it out to be Ali-Frasier part IV.

[PantherSigEp]

Washpun only goes left. Just throwing that out there. Seriously, even when he goes right, he's going to try to finish left. Not stopping that was the real problem WSU had in the first meeting. It created all sorts of problems. Ria'n Holland was the only WSU player that forced Washpun right, and he threw up two ugly "shots" off the backboard. Everything else was left, and it allowed the defense to be diced.

This is true and nobody seems to be able to stop it. I don't know if its because Wes looks so damn goofy and unorthodox when he's got the ball or what it is, but everybody forces him right and somehow he ends up in the air finishing with his left hand.

Washpun is one of those freaky athletic guys that isn't a natural basketball player, so everything looks so damn difficult for him.

Wasn't that "stripper pole" dunk in the game in CF a finish on the right? I need to rewatch it but I thought he finished with the right hand, going right.