Wichita State?s appeal is obvious this season: The top eight scorers, including six seniors, return from a 31-win team that was ranked in the top-10 of Ken Pomeroy?s efficiency metrics.
But it also true that the Shockers were a No. 10 seed that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and whose marquee win was against Dayton. Only four of Wichita State?s 31 victories last season came against competition in the top-100 of the final RPI report released by the NCAA.
Not to mention the team?s two most talented players, Landry Shamet and Markis McDuffie, have been sidelined by foot injuries this fall and could miss the start of the season.
?Usually when a team moves up a league and still isn?t in one of those Power 6 conferences, in some ways it?s a leap of faith to pick them in the top 10,? ESPN?s Jeff Borzello said. ?But with Wichita State, it?s different.?
ESPN and CBS Sports had WSU No. 5 in their preseason rankings, while KenPom had the Shockers No. 4. Sports Illustrated tabbed WSU to win the AAC and the USA Today Coaches Poll had WSU ranked No. 8, the highest preseason ranking in 36 years for the program.
Even Vegas gives Wichita State the eighth-best odds in college basketball to cut down the nets in San Antonio in 2018.
?It?s not crazy to think of them (as a title contender), it?s crazy not to think of them like that,? CBS Sports? Gary Parrish said. ?There?s no doubt Wichita State belongs in the top 10.?
But it also true that the Shockers were a No. 10 seed that lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and whose marquee win was against Dayton. Only four of Wichita State?s 31 victories last season came against competition in the top-100 of the final RPI report released by the NCAA.
Not to mention the team?s two most talented players, Landry Shamet and Markis McDuffie, have been sidelined by foot injuries this fall and could miss the start of the season.
?Usually when a team moves up a league and still isn?t in one of those Power 6 conferences, in some ways it?s a leap of faith to pick them in the top 10,? ESPN?s Jeff Borzello said. ?But with Wichita State, it?s different.?
ESPN and CBS Sports had WSU No. 5 in their preseason rankings, while KenPom had the Shockers No. 4. Sports Illustrated tabbed WSU to win the AAC and the USA Today Coaches Poll had WSU ranked No. 8, the highest preseason ranking in 36 years for the program.
Even Vegas gives Wichita State the eighth-best odds in college basketball to cut down the nets in San Antonio in 2018.
?It?s not crazy to think of them (as a title contender), it?s crazy not to think of them like that,? CBS Sports? Gary Parrish said. ?There?s no doubt Wichita State belongs in the top 10.?
