1st Round South Region: Wichita State shocks Arizona

Joe Hall, Staff Writer

Wichita State

On Tuesday, March 15, in a “First Four” game, the Wichita State Shockers defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 70-50 in order to become the number-11 seed and face the #4-seeded Arizona Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Shockers entered the ‘Zona game with a record of 25-8 and were technically classified as the ”underdogs” in that game. Keep in mind, the underdogs’ two best players are seniors with Sweet 16 and even Final Four experience…so the question is “Are they really underdogs?”

Wichita State proved that they were not the underdogs. From the start, the Shockers used an in-your-face kind of defense which kept Arizona off balance. It got to the point where the ‘Zona coach was literally drenched in sweat; I assume out of nervousness. Wichita State jumped out to a BIG lead at half, 31-19.

Wichita State was led by both star seniors, Fred VanFleet and Ron Baker, who combined had a triple-double. Both seniors had experience dating back to the Shockers’ Final Four appearance in 2013.

The wildcats would try to claw their way back through a late rally. About halfway through the 2nd half, the Wildcats got the score up to 53-40, but Arizona would still have work to do. With 1:36 left in the game, Arizona got the score to 60-51, but the Shockers would hang on for the win, 65-55.

Wichita State moves on to play the Miami Hurricanes who defeated the Buffalo Bulls 79-72 on Saturday from Providence, RI.